Thoughts and Rants of an Independent

Why are charter schools such a problem in Alabama?

2012-01-21T15:57:00.000-06:00

Well, I know for starters that Alabama Education Association, also known as AEA, are against this because they wouldn't be able to recruit and ensure their thrall on those involved in these entities as they have with other school districts across the state of Alabama. AEA isn't exactly an educators' union or teachers' union because they include the membership even janitors and cafeteria workers, which null and voids the actual purpose or name of the ~~association~~ organization. Another thing, charter schools usually are places where there is a specific goal or 'charter' for its existence. In the case of Birmingham, it may be the only logical solution for the time being for the beleaguered city because of the screwed up nature that AEA and its shenanigan-starters have created for the Birmingham school district.

The mayor's wife has a position in the Birmingham Board of Education main administrative building in downtown with a grandiose title but wouldn't be able to provide an adequate job description if her life depended upon it. Then there is the AEA-supported and elected (why I don't know) school board that seems to be always at odds with any superintendent that seems to make strides towards fixing the problem, too many employees but not enough students or reason for facilities to remain open because of the shrinking enrollment of the district. Finally, aside from Ramsey & Parker high, Powell, Epic, and Glen Iris K-8/elementary schools, the school district's schools overall performance still sucks even through there have been some improvements over the years. The quality of education in the district is still poor even compared to other urban school districts in Alabama. I've met one too many high school graduates of Birmingham school district that have gone on to 4-year universities telling me how they were playing catch-up via remedial course in their freshmen year of college or even graduate school.

In the end, charter schools may be the only practical and realistic solution to this institutionalized problem that exists within Birmingham and other urban school districts like Anniston where teacher tenureship and job security is more important than the quality the curriculum of the schools. I am all for protecting the collective rights of educators as well as other work-class jobs, but in education it is imperative that the student still come first more than anything else. This is why charter schools are very important to Birmingham and Alabama's future...

New Year, and one more semester

2012-01-06T17:18:00.000-06:00

This year, I embark on the conclusion of my time in Auburn-Opelika area in Alabama and will be moving on afterwards. THANK GOD! I will be finishing up my graduate studies and will be relocating elsewhere. Now I am not totally sure if elsewhere is going to be Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham, Washington, Orlando, Memphis, or New Orleans. I'm kind of conflicted because I know there is nothing here in Alabama for me and should venture elsewhere because it seems nothing of worth will come from this place for while. However, I am going to try to blog a little more rather than every 4 weeks on the current issues and things that have been going on with myself.

Good Luck on Voting come next year especially if you are non-white, lower income, or elderly

2011-12-13T22:03:00.000-06:00

I actually had high hopes that US Attorney General Eric Holder was going to announce the issuance of stay or motion in federal court that would place a hold on the voter suppression laws that have been passed across the nation, but primarily in the South by GOP-led state legislatures.

Instead US AG Holder did a speech today in Austin on the discussion summed up in the quote "don't take voting rights for granted." Well, that is comforting but has no legal teeth behind it. It seems like AG Holder is holding back on doing anything or is the US Justice Department although voter suppression will be widespread come next year. He also expressed there are ongoing investigations involving some cases of voter suppression but no specifics.

Le sigh! I guess it will be another episode of rewind that has been orchestrated by the social regressives/conservatives that love to expressing their false accusation of voter fraud when the real agenda is to block the ability to vote of those unconventional citizens such as non-whites, college/graduate students, and seniors.

Also I find it sad that the case of Dorothy Cooper, the 96-year-old black woman from Chattanooga, was swept under the rug in October after the state of Tennessee passed a new law that requires voters to have a photo ID to certify voter registration. In Mrs. Cooper's case, she needed her marriage certificate along with other documents including her birth certificate, rent receipt, copy of her lease, and voter registration card to verify herself to get a photo ID from the Tennessee Drivers Service Center in east Chattanooga, but was denied anyway. The new law creates this situation where all documents including documents verifying name changes, in case of marriage, has to be present when registration occurs. Obviously, Mrs. Cooper was prepared because she had all the aforementioned document in a sealed Manila envelope with the exception of her marriage certificate. Mrs. Cooper never learned to drive so she didn't have a Tennessee Drivers' License, but prior to was able to vote in every election except 1960. Instead the Hamilton County Administrator of Elections, Chattanooga's home county, told her to vote with an absentee ballot, and that is the provision is the thing allowing the federal courts to uphold this regressive law in TN as well as Indiana (no surprise considering how non-whites are pretty much in Chicago suburbs of NW Indiana and Indianapolis).

What has gotten me about this whole situation is the fact it took the voter suppression of a 84-year old elderly white woman, Ruthelle Frank, of Brokaw, Wisconsin being forced to pay $200 to get a birth certificate in response to the new law in Wisconsin requiring such to register to vote. The ACLU of Wisconsin along with the National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty is filing a lawsuit in federal court against the state due to the hardship it causes for those. The suit names embattled Wisconsin governor Scott Walker among the defendants.

Le sigh! It's a good thing this problem has been exposed and I'm socially egalitarian and all for the fight for the everyone to have a fair and equitable society. However, why does it take even in 2011 (almost 2012) the suffering of whites to spotlight the oppression of the 'undesirables' in our society including non-whites? That's all I'm asking, why are we still a myopic society where this still occurs?

Some people ain't shit and that is the truth

2011-12-08T10:01:00.001-06:00

I was reading a post this morning on Lipstick Alley aka Basic Bitch Alley, the post was about Keyshia Cole and her dog's funeral. Some of the posters were saying it was grandiose and unnecessary for a person to do a funeral for a dog because it is a dog. However, I deeply disagree with that notion, and here is why.

In my 26 years of life, I have seen enough to know some people in this world aren't shit and they even know it. To this very day, I refuse to notion or acknowledge one of my former exes and friend because he is one of those people. Sometimes you don't even have to point that out to their asses ain't shit because they even know they are failure in 27 years of life. I learned for that experience along with numerous prior ones that it is pointless to treat individuals whom represent a waste of space in this world than anything other how they treat others...

Now how does this relate to the LSA post and the moral of that story. At the end of the day, only family, whether they are blood or not, are the only ones you truly have to fall back on in life through thick and thin. Sometimes they are blood relatives, sometimes they are lifelong friends whom will do for you, and sometimes they are even pets. Pets provide you companionship whether you realize it or not, and sometimes they are the ones that give you affection when others are unable to provide such. So if you feel when they pass and you have the resources of providing a funeral then so be it. I would rather use my resources to through a funeral for a pet before I waste it on the people I consider

On Birmingham...

2011-11-21T12:26:00.000-06:00

Well, to make a long story short, Birmingham was driven over the cliff by the likes of Scott Beason and William Bell. The blame goes both ways with whites and blacks in Birmingham. I lived there for enough years to realized that the people of Birmingham (yeah, I mean all of you in the region not just within Birmingham city limits), lack discerning abilities to wise decision on whom will represent you a local leadership or the Alabama Legislature. It just seems there is no real willpower on the part of a significant portion of the citizenry to care enough to want to make an effort to progress the city forward rather than hobble along the way.

Even more embarrassing is the filing for bankruptcy for Jefferson County, but this is a result of urban sprawl without any regard to negative effects to the surroundings, the idiocy within the Jefferson County government, and the city of Hoover. Hoover was the ones whom owned the sanitary sewer treatment facility on Shades Creek that overflowed and wind up with the DOJ forcing Jefferson County to take control of all the sewer lines within the immediate Greater Birmingham area.

As today, Birmingham has become battleground for where the Alabama immigration law debate will take place with leadership from congress meeting the local leadership about how it has negatively affected the city's resources. All I have to say is good luck because we all know that the reason why the Congressional Republicans haven't take up the immigration debate there in DC is because they know they will be exposed for the due-nothings they are in the US House.

UPDATE: The latest developments with Birmingham itself is the creation of its first citywide, long-range, comprehensive plan since 1961 called "The Plan Birmingham". Yeah, I'm like COME AGAIN? Yeah, this is the first comprehensive plan they have created since post-integration period. This alone is an embarrassment to humanity and anyone that has worked in the planning, economic development, and public policy making in Birmingham.

On the welcome page of The Plan Birmingham, there is a picture of Birmingham's mayor, William Bell's goofy, gap-toothed smiling face with a "message" about what he feels is the vision for the future of Birmingham. Right below, his message was Roderick Royal, the current Birmingham City Council president with his statement as well. Why is it this is the most substance of detail about this website's home page is beyond me? The site details including the "Birmingham Resource Book" which is most GIS maps by census tract or overall area assessments of land usage, public facilities, water & watersheds, parks & recreations, personal vision statements by citizens, etc.

Overall, it is a well put-together site, but the GIS maps need major improvement like the parks and recreation map that doesn't label or has arrows that doesn't even point to the actual location of these facilities. That is embarrassing, and should have been done better, Barry William, who is the city's GIS manager...

Finally, why is the city of Birmingham wasting taxpayer funds for outsourcing to a Boston-based firm for consultant work when you have full-time planners that handle community planning and development at the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) right there on 1st Avenue North in downtown? That is just plain STUPID and WASTEFUL on the mayor and city council part's not to take advantage of a free or nearly free resource of staff planners at the RPCGB, whom have done comprehensive plans for Bessemer among other area municipalities. Also they can work on a regional scale and is very well capable of administering the regional initiatives such as the Green Birmingham, Prosperity and Opportunity economic development, and Getting from Here to There transportation and mobility initiatives with other area governments.

So ready to have this stuff over with Auburn

2011-11-21T12:03:00.000-06:00

After nearly 3 going 4 months of silence, I feel like this is the reason why I 'm tired to that place. I stay on the road leaving town because it is easier and there are no remainders that place. Lately, I've been relaxing by chilling at home away from the foolishness. Auburn is just one of those places where I feel and know people are just brought there so there can front with pseudo-egalitarian atmosphere, but in reality the place is very socially segregated and as about as anti-progressive as the rest of the state of Alabama. Honestly, I can't truly name or point to much research Auburn has conducted that is associated with anything of importance other than farming techniques and veterinarian medicine treatments for animals.

Honestly, the most aggravation has come from me working with a moron in my assistantship that displays why I know for a fact the graduate program in community planning at Auburn University is pathetic. For starters, the dude can bare speak English, lacks the discernment to realized that people have other responsibilities aside from working with him, and finally he couldn't teach a small child how to tie a shoe so much as bullshit suppose to be doing. To sum it up, this shit is ridiculous and as about as productive as watching water boil.

As I mentioned last year, the area might as well be given to the state of Georgia because nothing about the region is economically or socially attached to Alabama. The Auburn-Opelika area is basically a western extension of the Columbus area in west Georgia like Phenix City is in Russell County. It just makes you wonder why is Auburn University in Alabama nearly half of its student body (some 40%) are from Georgia.

My reasons for my absence

2011-09-24T11:54:00.001-05:00

Lately, I've been trying my damnest not just up and quit with Auburn University and their clearly patriarchal, anti-non-white institutional environment. While I'm busy trying to finish and maintain my high GPA, I'm contending with the researcher from hell in this assistantship (which I have seriously contemplating quitting after this semester). It's clear as day that Auburn is not a place for me at all because 1) It lacks ethnic, social, and cultural diversity, 2) It's a patriarchal environment, 3) It has no connection anything I need in the long-term career goals, and 4) lack of social egalitarianism . Sorry, but I can give 2 shits and a flush about how people perceive my comments about their "precious Auburn", I look at it the same way as I look at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, as a place whether any non-white with any dignity and a piece of mind wouldn't be unless they are visiting family in the area.

I hope to get back to somewhat sporadic posting soon, but I have much to do and little time.

Can Birmingham be saved?

2011-08-06T16:42:00.001-05:00

I have pondered this for years now and wondering if this major city can return from the abyss of mediocrity. It seems that everytime is something proposed, initiated, or mentioned that is productive to the civic pride of the region that the C.A.V.E. people whom will show their asses. Also there is my personal term "P.A.V.E." people as well that exist nowadays, which are Politicians Against Virtually Everything, mainly because they didn't think of the idea themselves or because their pocket-lining lobbyists wouldn't benefit from the idea/concept/initiative.

A number of fellow bloggers have blogged on this including Mack Lyons, Wade on Birmingham, Kyle Whitmire, among many others that have echoed what I've been saying for years that Birmingham has civic disengagement or pride issues. Meanwhile, in the surrounding suburbs there are Y.I.M.B.Y., which is Yes In My Back Yard, which is why the minor league AA, Birmingham Barons, wind up in Hoover at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium (which the name within itself is ironic), i.e. Regions Park in the first place. Hoover, which has a serious case of "Anywhere syndrome" because the place no sense of place at all. It's home to the now in-its-twilight-of-existence, Riverchase Galleria, mixed-used development and Alabama's largest retail center. Yet, it's boosters and chamber of commerce are its main culprits saying "Hoover Has It", when in reality it doesn't. Even retail is starting to leave Hoover for other ares like most places in suburbia when its past its heyday.

Back to the main discussion, Birmingham has so much potential from its well-organized urban core with a southwest-to-northeast gridiron layout to its wealth of areas worthy of redevelopment. I was recently at economic development conference where the topic of most discussions were greenfield developments into 'industrial sites', which are about as need as another hole in my head. Meanwhile, the truth of the manner is Birmingham has a plethora of brownfield sites that are mostly former heavy iron and coal processing facility sites. These sites can be home to number of redevelopments such as mixed-use projects that could easily be integrated into the urban form of Birmingham's grid layout. Also with the strength of UAB, the Innovation Depot, and their ability to create a variety of spin-off start-up businesses can reinvent Birmingham's economic base. Birmingham is no longer the largest financial hub outside of the New York Tri-State region, but it has more than enough resources at its dispose to produce a skilled workforce. Birmingham has the strong base of smaller, regional financial institutions that could aided in them building up into its next generation of major financial heavyweights.

Birmingham should also serious explore what is its internal problems and stop electing reactionary and "catchphrase salesmen" as its elected officials such as mayor and city council members. It's obvious the constant rehashing of the same stock of characters whom have lived and breathe manipulating the lowest common denominator of the populous hasn't worked at all. I don't reside in the city anymore and honestly have very little interest to return anytime soon because the place isn't where I need to be nor does it feel like "home" anymore. However, I know enough about said place to know it has the potential to rebuild itself but it has to shed some of the ailments.

People and things that needs to get got...

2011-07-08T23:15:00.000-05:00

Let's see, I said back in the summer of 2007 when the Democratic presidential primary season was already in a very early full swing that Hillary Clinton was going to "get got" because of the fuckery she was pedalling towards then-Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama. In 2011, well I have to say another person is going to "get got" if they don't STFU soon. That person is Minnesota's 6th District Congresswoman, Michelle "Chickenhead" Bachmann.

This fool just doesn't quit. Let's see, she hates LGBT/SGLs, she thinks black children were better off under slavery, she thinks the White House is joking about defaulting on its debt payments, and the list goes on and on an on. Everyone that keeps up with politics can tell she is (or has) been gunning for the "ranting white lady spot" that Sarah Palin's ass kept in herself in.

Also in Alabama State Senator, Scott Beason, of Gardendale needs his ass to be gotten for sure. He is not only a racist that doesn't think much of black Alabamians, but an all-around bigot. He is trying to defend his asinine bill-turn-into-law on immigration in Alabama before the world. It's like a horrible episode of some idiotic sitcom from the 1950s running-a-mok. This eurocentric bullshit is what is contributing to the breakdown of civility in our society.

However when it comes to Beason, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), ACLU, and others organizations are fighting back. Today, a lawsuit was filed in federal court against this regressive Alabama law that basically gives the A'OK for law enforcement to racially profile anybody that isn't white.

(h/t to Left in Alabama)

Some random thoughts (and a little ranting)...

2011-07-08T22:35:00.000-05:00

What is with black folks and the indoctrination of self-deprecation and self-defeating mentality on life itself. I speak on this because when I step outside of my very tight knit circle of friends (and when I mean tight I mean less than 5 people), I see so much of this. I only surround myself on a personal-level with positive individuals that have much to offer in life other than the same old crap I see in the world itself, negativity. It's a damn shame that as a group black people will shift towards this "holier than thou" disposition or "leave it all to Jesus" mentality when at the end of the day it's clearly a personal issue of psychological dissonance.

There was one person in my life, that I used to have long time ago that fronted like he was pragmatic, but his deep seated psychological issues seeped to the surface and they became this overtly negative and arrogant individual. It was awful seeing somebody of so much potential to be a very productive member of society devolve into this self-defeating and stagnant soul with an arrogant chip on their should. I had to remove them from my life by choice because they wen't providing anything of substance to myself (rather taking).

On to more related issues, I read this evening the blog, Black Gay Men's Blog, and its topic discussion on same-sex unions, i.e. "gay marriage" amongst black males. It seemed that even though much growth has occurred in the past several decades, many have fully embraced this internal self-deprecating and bigoted views about unions and long-term relationships. I've had my missteps but I also realize that if you embrace negativity then you wind up more miserable than you were beforehand. The notion another individual would allow their peers, environment, sometimes even media and stereotypes affirm whom they are then it shows how weak-minded they are as individuals. I refuse to allow anyone define me as a person, I know I'm far from perfect but anyone with half a brain and an ounce of common sense knows themselves well enough to not allow others to make them insecure.

Honestly, I believe it is the root of the self-destructive behavior that so many black SGL/gay/bisexual men partake in such as risky behaviors like unprotected sex, drug use, and obsession with unrealistic standards for others and sometimes themselves with their body image.

It's funny I've been writing this blog for nearly 2 years, but the truth hurts whether it about whites, blacks, LGBT/SGLs, or individuals.

Rant over.

Just when you thought he would have more sense, but...

2011-07-01T13:33:00.003-05:00

Oh Jamal! You just had to be a SPLABOO and drive around with marijuana aka "weed" and a semi-automatic handgun. You have to live up to being a stereotype, huh?

Jamal Parris, one of the 4 Eddie "Daddy Longstroke" Long accusers of the sexual harassment and misconduct case that blew up last fall was caught in South Florida while driving a white 2011 BMW without any tags. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Florida Highway Patrol officer, Sgt. Seth Dubinsky, said the vehicle smelled of weed and the size of the paraphernalia was "indicative of a drug dealer" (181 grams of marijuana). Dubinsky said that Parris was claiming that "the car was purchased with settlement money".

Jamal Parris said this:

"He said, ‘you guys are getting the wrong impression of me.'"

Parris also talked about how he has been accepted to Miami-Dade College and has registered for classes. Oh yeah, although Parris was in Colorado of the majority of the past year, he still uses his Stockbridge, Georgia address.

SMH, you used your settlement money to stunt, buy weed, get an automatic weapon???? Parris, you are the most decent looking one of the 4 accusers but apparently the most idiotic one of them as well.

Splabuvian behavior, minus -100 points with me because you are as DUMB as Eddie's closeted ass...

The decline of Jefferson County, yet again

2011-06-19T13:13:00.001-05:00

As of yesterday (June 18th), Jefferson County placed 547 employees on administrative leave without pay, i.e., they are laid off. It's another sad chapter in the history of the most populous county in Alabama. It seems the same character that produced one of the most bigoted pieces of legislation in modern history, has single-handedly blocked any chance of the citizens of Jefferson County any opportunity to vote upon their own future. Instead of proving a point, he is going to cause his own constituents that reside in unincorporated Jefferson County irreparable harm via lack of basic services following a natural disaster, public protection, or reduction of public nuisances.

It's funny how history repeats itself with this place and why I'm not longer a resident of Alabama or Greater Birmingham.

In related news, Scott Beason, the bastard that is the cause of both the racially bias Alabama immigration law and Jefferson County government's decline, proved that he is also a rabid racist, whom harbors personal animus against blacks, especially the ones that votes and likes to gamble at electronic bingo casinos. During the federal corruption trial involving a number of current and former Alabama Legislative officials, audio from Beason himself where he called blacks "Aborigines" and said they are so illiterate and ignorant they have to be bussed to the polls and enticed to vote with free food and entertainment.

It's obvious that asshole doesn't like blacks or other people of color, so the question is will the constituents in Alabama's

Oh goodie, New Birth is coming to Birmingham, well sorta...

2011-06-07T11:51:00.001-05:00

Well, Refiner's House is going to become "New Birth Birmingham". According to Monday's edition of the Birmingham News, the church housed in the old auto parts building in the Huffman area that was founded in 2001 but located there in 2007 will become affiliated with the embattled New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia in Metro Atlanta.

"We'll no longer be the Refiner's House; we'll be New Birth Birmingham," said Elder Kesia Webb Dailey, a spokesperson for the church. "We'll receive benefits of mentorship, resources, relationships."

Also the church's elder Kesia Webb Dailey said,

"That's our bishop and we love him," Dailey said. "We thank God what transpired is over. We're moving ahead."

Really Kesia? You don't think the settlement of allegedly $25M with the 4 accusers of sexual coercion of Eddie Long had no effect on your views of him. That is interesting to say the least, but you make your bed so lay in it, my dear.

Oh yeah, New Birth also wants to open a Denver church as well. Ironically, where one of the accusers, Jamal Parris, now resides...

(links courtesy of the Birmingham News)

Things I must say aloud that need to be told

2011-05-31T16:39:00.000-05:00

Riddle me this, riddle me that, why is it that certain men whom want to be 'closeted' about their lives seem to post pictures on social networking sites like Facebook and/or Twitter on Memorial Day weekend? I mean if you are a single black males and most people realize you are a ***AHEM*** 'confirmed bachelor' then why would you travel to Miami or Washington, D.C. and then post the pix? I'm not dumb and some others aren't dumb either people, the widely known skinfest for black SGL men and their admirers was held on the Greater Miami area this past Memorial Day weekend (as it is every Memorial Day holiday for the past 11 years) and also the DC Black Pride was held in Washington. So... I mean in the words of Ed Lover, "COME ON, SIR!", we all now know are suspecting that you aren't straight, but you want to play that role then have at it but don't say I didn't warn you all. I'm not saying, but I'm just saying...

In other things, I see that the GOP side of the 2012 presidential race has turned into an attention whorefest where Sarah "I can see Russia from my backyard" Palin is riding around the Megalopolis corridor beckoning for attention. This Alaskan heifer wants everyone to pay attention to her simple-minded ass, but yet wants to proclaim she isn't running. Then why are you traveling up on the down the East Coast in a bus, moron? I can't stand people whom want attention but then play dumb when they are called out on it.

In Alabama, recall they say, recall? I don't think so. However, Alabama State Senator (and well known corrupt politico), Roger Bedford along with Senator Marc Keahey has filed two separate but identical bills in the Alabama Legislature calling for recalls of state politicians. However, the catch is it is only for state officials not county or municipal level officials.

“The potential for recall elections forces legislators to be more accountable to the people, and diminishes the influence of special interests groups and political party bosses,” Keahey said.
Keahey’s amendment would allow the public to recall an elected official after one year into the elected official’s term of office. To recall an elected official, Keahey’s bill states that voters must file a petition with the Secretary of State. The petition must be signed by a number of voters that equals at least 25 percent of the vote cast in the previous election for the office being recalled. The petition must then be submitted to the Secretary of State within 90 days of the original filing. If the Secretary of State determines that all requirements have been met, a recall vote will be scheduled for the sixth Tuesday following the announcement of the decision.

I knew Bedford especially didn't truly mean to promote reform considering he is the well-known Pork King of the Alabama Legislature. But I digress, it seems like they have formulated 2 bills hoping it will pass this late in the regular session of the Alabama Legislature, which I know they won't unless a miracle on Goat Hill occurs. Anyways, that's that. (h/t to Left in Alabama and the Atmore News for the links).

Clap, Clap, Bravo for Don Lemon!

2011-05-19T00:18:00.000-05:00

I gotta give him props where props are due. CNN weekend anchor, Don Lemon, has revealed in his upcoming autobiography about him being born a homosexual. It's ironic considering what went down in the past few days in my own personal life. I went bowling with a friend and a few acquaintances, and during this outing one of the acquaintances, a female and black, decided to say that she didn't "believe in" in homosexuality because of her religion. I was about to let her have it, but decided to just let her figure out how stupid she sounded considering.

Lemon said:

As a journalist I believe that part of my mission is to shed light onto dark places. So, the disclosure of this information does not inhibit in any way my ability to be the professional, fair and objective journalist I have always been.

There you have it folks, Lemon is speaking the truth that as a journalist you must be honest as well to be able to seek the truth out for the public. I applaud him for standing up and going against the grain on being himself. Although there has to be idiots that shown their asses in certain spots of the black blogosphere and forumsphere about his coming out because some people just want to be sanctimonious or apathetic assholes (like some of the members whom are useless pieces of shit like the Lipstick Alley users, Ms.Devine, RightFullyWrong).

Alright, now

2011-05-10T20:48:00.000-05:00

I'm back to posting for this short in-between semester break and will try to continue throughout the summer when possible. First thing first, my personal life...single again but by choice. Couldn't deal with the idiot I dated for over a year so it had to cease and desist. Secondly, I'm doing good academically with a 4.0 graduate-level GPA, so hopefully I'll continue this trend until the end, next year. Third, what the hell is wrong with some people in south of the Greater Birmingham region in Alabama? I swear this region is like the abyss for intelligence outside of these college campuses. I've met 5 people non-affiliated with the university I attend for graduate school, Auburn University, and only 2 of them have shown any ability to hold my attention beyond 5 minutes. Now I know why people don't deal with this region...

Anyways, on the societal issues. Yeah, Birmingham (and Tuscaloosa but to me all of it is Birmingham since it's all one urbanized region) got hit hard by the April 27th tornado outbreak. It turned out the tornado outbreak was quantitatively larger and deadlier than the Super Outbreak of 1974, but it is debated on the strength comparison. I just know I was in the middle of finals when this outbreak occurred on that now historical Wednesday stuck doing presentations and examinations throughout the day. It along with the April 16th tornado outbreak in North Carolina has shown Alabama and the world that nature still has plans under its sleeves for our increasingly belligerently ignorant and divisive society. Raleigh and Birmingham will be dealing with the aftermath of these significant weather phenomena for the next few years.

On politics, I swear the aversive racists have shown their asses literally. First, President Obama listens and folds to Front Lace Wig aka Donald the Chump over his birth certificate, and there was no merits to the bullshit claims. Then, he takes out Usama bin Laden and the racists keeps adding flames to the fire by whining about seeing his body. Then the brigade of assholes on the GOP ticket running for the presidency is laughable from Newt "I'm a whore" Gingrich to Mitch Romney. The idiocy begins and this time it's racial.

Alright, I'm coming back

2011-05-07T11:44:00.000-05:00

I'll be on the road today, but will blog for the first time in 2 months probably tonight or early tomorrow (before hitting the road again). Gotta visit family in the ravished areas from the April 27th tornado outbreak, so more on what I think and feel about things coming soon...

Will resume blogging after finishing my spring semester

2011-03-29T17:52:00.000-05:00

My life has been way too damn busy as of late to the point I barely have time to sleep. I would like to blog about a number of issues, but papers, research, and work keeps me preoccupied most hours of the day. So blogging will resume after the spring semester is over in early May. However, if have a moment to actually compile a post then so be it...

Another proposal to rewrite Alabama's Constitution

2011-03-13T19:52:00.000-05:00

This year's proposal to rewrite the Alabama Constitution to remove the racist language, allow counties possess home rule self-governance, ability to legislate local taxation for adequate funds for individual school districts. Alabama State House Representative Demetrius Newton of Birmingham has proposed a bill calling for a draft rewriting the Alabama Constitution. However, GOP reps like Paul DeMarco is already deterring this bill instead calling for an article-by-article rewrite of the constitution.

As always, the Republicans and Dixiecrats are the ones calling for an alternative they never put any action behind. I'm so tired of this bullshit with them and the Alabama Constitution. It's inherently racist, perpetuates class stratification, and centralizes power in the state capitol ironically in a state where the motto is so individualistic and localized. However, the state charter does the exact opposite of this encapsulating all authority there in Montgomery with the Alabama Legislature.

Just when I thought Eddie Long couldn't get anymore ironic

2011-03-06T13:11:00.001-06:00

This deeply-closeted bisexual splaboo is now inviting the male members of the dwindling in enrollment church to "late night prayer meetings". This statement alone is PURE IRONY. Now what are they going to be "praying" about? Something tells me that he is trying to recruit more closet cases and "extra discrete" men in the Metro Atlanta area to partake in "extracurricular activities" in the late night hours...

Oh where is a nice hidden camera when it is needed...

The ever-shrinking Birmingham and Jefferson County

2011-02-25T22:26:00.000-06:00

The 2010 count of the U.S. Census on the city of Birmingham has been unveiled and it looks like Birmingham, Bessemer, Fairfield, Midfield, and Jefferson County have all decline in population. It's disheartening that these areas have loss a number of inhabitants since 2000, but the thing is can anyone honestly blame them? I'm so ambivalent these days about the Greater Birmingham area because it seems to be a region without a singular voice of unison or leadership. The current mayor, William "the Jackal" Bell is a failure in my eyes because he represents another fixture of the past grasping on to what little power is left in the city amongst some of the ill-informed, socially regressive, and in many ways prejudice citizenry. Yeah, he has made some strides by attempting to get the Birmingham Baron back to the city from suburban Hoover along with groundbreaking with the Central Station expansion and progress of the Entertainment District @ the BJCC, but there has been little to no progress on any major infrastructural improvements on the area's mass transit system or recapturing the spirit needed to turn around areas on decaying portions of the city. Birmingham is truly lacking and the effects of that void isn't limited to Birmingham corporate limits. Other municipalities on the western portion of the metropolitan area are feeling this as well such as Fairfield, Midfield, Adamsville, Graysville, and Bessemer. Although there isn't any hard numbers for Lipscomb or Brighton, but there in that same pack of economically depressed and downtrodden "suburbs" of Birmingham. The heavily industrialized suburb of Tarrant (City) has seen a demographic shift from a white majority to a non-white majority. Others have slid, but because of their increase in non-white populous as well like Center Point. The one anomaly in the region, Homewood practically remained at the same population as it did a decade ago, so this stasis says something about Homewood that it's too socially ambiguous and densely developed for their liking (it is the most densely populated municipality in Alabama at 3014.7 per square mile).

Meanwhile, the more suburban in nature areas like Hoover, Trussville, Clay, Hueytown, Pleasant Grove, Fultondale, Gardendale, Vestavia Hills, Shelby County, Saint Clair County, Blount County, and Chilton County have all increased by leaps and bounds. However, most of these new inhabitants are by the vast majority white (see a pattern...).

This all speaks to the notion that a metropolitan form of government will the only thing that will help create the needed unison for the Greater Birmingham area.

Another suspicious house fire, but this time in North Carolina then the incident in Opelika

2011-02-11T22:21:00.000-06:00

Another suspected anti-LGBT hate crime in form of arson has occurred but this time in the Triangle. According to Raleigh-Durham CBS affiliate, WRAL-TV, on February 4th, in suburban Clayton in northern Johnston County, a house fire was reported early morning before dawn. Luckily, the male couple were out of town, but a neighbor reported that 2 other incidents had occurred there before and were reported. However, the Johnston County Sheriff's Department said they knew about it but wouldn't comment.

More anti-LGBT oriented incidents seems to be getting reported more often. I have a feeling this has been occurring for awhile now, but with more technology and vigilant citizen journalism, these incidents

Also I'll speak on the situation that happened in Opelika. About 2 weeks ago, Laura Gilbert and her friend, Shelia Siddell, went to a bar in a rural portion of the Lee County (Alabama), where Gilbert was allegedly attacked by 12 people for being a lesbian. Gilbert mentioned that "I don't think they like my kind there." and was attacked. Columbus (Georgia) CBS affiliate, WRBL, reported about the story and even did a follow-up. Initially, the incident was seen as a joke or fodder by media across the state like the Mobile Press-Register. FYI, Alabama doesn't recognize hate crimes involving sexual orientation or gender identity. Now after so much exposure involving the incident, the Lee County Sheriff's Department is trying to follow up on the crime and apprehend the alleged attackers.

This doesn't bode well for Alabama's reputation since it already seen as a state doesn't respect people of color, but add to this injury to insult is the lack of respect for LGBTs. Considering I'm in the area for school at the moment, the area does strike me as aversive to about anything "different' than the norm of the area...

Free wifi and IT training for Birmingham residents

2011-02-06T20:36:00.004-06:00

Not a bad idea at all.

WiFi, short for wireless internet, is set to be installed in a couple of places throughout Birmingham particularly in some housing communities. This initiative is funded by a $500,000 federal grant for designed to bring technology to those who can least afford it. Also another $75,000 federal grant is to fund training and education of 15-21 year olds in information technology (IT) for certification and other computer science oriented trades. The city of Birmingham will be distributing the funds and conducting the programs.

Of course the C.A.V.E. (citizens against virtually everything) twats are on the al.com comment section of the story on the Birmingham News site whining and proclaiming another "socialist agenda". Of course, as usual you know most of these "commenters" are white Republican suburbanites or exurbanites that are the first to talk negative about an urban area yet will be the first to cheer for their own social welfare programs conducted by their local governments. However, the morons fail to realize this is a form of economic development for the city of Birmingham and the region as a whole since it provides a trade for youths seeking a career in information technology.

(h/t to the Birmingham News for the links)

Some urban planning and development stuff to chew on

2011-02-06T13:03:00.003-06:00

OK, who thought it was A'OK for the municipality of Hoover to propose an ideal to convert the former 3-level Macy's at Riverchase Galleria mall into a convention/events center with stage theater? The project is now on hold, but they wanted to turn the 285,000 square foot space into a public space.

Here's the pros and cons of the project according to Hoover municipal officials:

-- The Galleria is one of the largest malls in the state/region and has helped enhance recognition of Hoover.
-- There is a relatively large number of restaurants and retail businesses surrounding the mall and throughout the city.
-- There's a perception of safety and convenience with parking and accessibility.
-- Relative to its size, Hoover offers a large number of hotels.

-- Hoover has a limited perception as a convention destination, and the city is viewed by some non-locals as a "suburb with a big mall."
-- The city lacks a traditional downtown and/or central business district with a density of visitor amenities and entertainment options.
-- There are a number of potentially competitive event venues in the greater local marketplace.
-- The city is inland, versus on a coast.

Last time I remember, Hoover is the middle of the socially and fiscally conservative territory, where "socialist" initiatives like that to a minimum or non-existent (remember how you guys didn't even want a measly bus line in your community?). Now they want to overstep on partial owners General Growth Properties and Jim Wilson to turn their largest vacant space in their shopping center into a "public entity"? Now the GGP and Jim Wilson is very actively pursuing finding a replacement for the space that was to become a Nordstrom but thanks to GGP screw up it failed. LOL Hoover, you guys kill me because your community has low-range to mid-range hotels aside from the Wynfrey Hotel at Riverchase itself, and that is 1 upper-tier hotel. Then there is the lack of downtown or central portion of the community to designate as a "downtown". You are a suburb of Birmingham and that is all Hoover will ever be because its development patterns are incompatible with "hub status" of the region.

My alma mater, the University of Alabama at Birmingham aka UAB, has finally made up their minds on the design and scope of what they are going to place on the corner of 10th Avenue South & 13th Street South. It's going to become a visual arts center with classrooms, essentially replacing the nearly 40-year-old George Wallace Humanities Building on the 13th Street of the UAB campus. At the moment, the corner is a parking lot for the engineering buildings and Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Also UAB, has committed to finally placing an on-campus stadium for the UAB Blazers football and soccer teams at 6th Avenue South and 12th Street South. It will seat 25,000 to 30,000 and will have a large plaza adjacent to the stadium for tailgating. The stadium is a part of a measure will be presented to the University of Alabama system trustees for approval soon. The new master plan also calls for new access roads lining Interstate 65, a new science complex on University Boulevard and 18th Street South, and the eventual elimination of much of the street parking on campus, which would be replaced by parking decks. Score 2 for UAB and its decision to make some major moves and attempting to produce more dense and coherent development flowing with the urban core of Birmingham this past week.

Another week and another round up

2011-02-05T01:05:00.000-06:00

Well, the Good Bishop Eddie Long was on YouTube pleading to California-based investment company, City Capital Corp. on the behalf of his "parishioners" at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to resolve issues involving their retirement accounts. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, these accounts have possibly tanked and went down with the economic downturn. Long is pleading to get his "parishioners" investments back with interest. Former CEO of City Capital, Ephren Taylor responded attempted to refute the allegations and clear his name which has been dragged through the mud because of this controversy. SMH, that New Birth is cursed.

Awww, it's so cute that Tyler Perry has snatched the role of "Alex Cross" from Idris Elba in the revamping of the franchised based on James Patterson's novels of the same name. It's so funny listening to the producer of the upcoming film set to start filming in June said that Perry as:

Tyler Perry is a phenomenon. Tyler Perry is one of the most significant entertainers in all of media. He is a huge cross-media talent and presence — and he’s a terrific actor whose range is going to be shown here. You’re going to see Tyler Perry like you haven’t seen him. He’s 6’5″, he is a linebacker. He is an awesome physical presence and is just going to tear it apart here. It’s an intense, dramatic role.

I just want to snicker and then go back to ignoring this film franchise as before (Hell I haven't even seen "Kiss the Girls" so you know...). However, it's been a topic of the black blogosphere all week long so I had to discuss it.

The mandatory insurance coverage portion of the Americans for Affordable Healthcare Act was found unconstitutional in the U.S. District Court in Pensacola by (conservative and anti-healthcare funded) Judge Roger Vinson. Vinson attempted to invalidate the entire law basing on the way the law was written and passed. This the suit that was orchestrated by 22 states filed against the law. Another attempt by the classist-complexed (majority white) faction of T.E.A. Twats attempting to further fuckery in our nation...

The GOP leaders of the Alabama Legislature has decided to limit access of the State House claiming the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords as a reason. The Alabama Democrats responded to the antics of the GOP shutting the door on process to the people and forcing them to backtrack on their stance. It seems to me there is some funny business going on with this. I'm more ashamed of how Senator Pro Tem Del Marsh co-signs on this fuckery considering I know him personally. Wise move by the ADP to attack, but they still have disorder in their own house before they are reputable party and organization again. However, that's politicians for ya, they say what they are going do and then the do the exact opposite... (h/t to Left in Alabama)

Oh yeah, the wintry mix of rain/sleet/snow caused chaos during rush hour in Birmingham and Central Alabama, but primarily Birmingham on Thursday. This weather is the normal for this part of the South, so my advice to all officials in these major cities, "BUY SOME DAMN SNOW EQUIPMENT, NOW!!!!"

That's this week in review. I'll be back with the more posts soon.

Oh while I was away taking care of business...

2011-01-25T15:20:00.002-06:00

I was taking care of some graduate school business, but did have my ear to the blogosphere and the news...

Kudos to Charles Barkley for speaking his mind about Bernice...Bernice King, ~~whom is the current sitting president of the SCLC~~, for her lack of regard for LGBTs of color yet want to take claim to "carrying the torch" of her father. Speak the truth and shame the demons amongst us...

Auburn University QB soon to be NFL draftee, Cam Newton giving away his education for something as unstable and unpredictable as a career in professional football. Now very wise at all if you ask me, and Dr. Boyce Watkins agrees with me on that. As a matter of fact, Watkins went even further and said that his giving away a paid for education is just further the "plantation mentality" for black Americans. WOW, WOW, WOW! I don't wholeheartedly agree, but he has a some strong points about them taking advantage of these talented individuals.

Then there was the Over-the-Mountain Democrats forum of last Tuesday (January 18th) about "How Will the Democrats Rise Again?" at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. My buddy, Mooncat at Left in Alabama, covered it quite well links here, here, and here. The truth is the Alabama Democratic Party is screwed because white Democrats are too busy trying to "chase after rainbows", i.e. "the elusive rural white vote" while running away from being associated with President Obama (whom isn't popular with a faction of white Alabamians) then the "Joe Reed Problem". The man that is the human equivalent to "a runaway train from hell" while playing up the Bojangles angle. I've covered that thing for awhile now and have nothing else to say about it...

Finally, the incident in Carroll County, Georgia of the Metro Atlanta area. According to the Times-Georgian of Carroll County, 43-year-old Chris Staples was residing at his mother's residence on disability since he had injured himself on the job many years ago, and has been openly homosexual for nearly 20 years. WSB-TV reports that on Sunday, there were two incidents that occurred at the residence, first a rock thrown through a bedroom window with a message from the assailant conveying their knowledge of Staples' sexuality and he was going to hell then a fire set to the residence. One has to wonder who in the hell in 2011 still spins their time worrying about what some low-key individual especially a homosexual does with their life? Nuttiness

I should be back to somewhat regular posting later on this week after getting caught up with other things I'm handling involving my Masters' program...

CORRECTION: According to last Friday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bernice King turned down the role of president of the SCLC, but that doesn't excuse her track record on LGBT rights...

Why I am not surprised or shocked by the events of yesterday in Tucson...

2011-01-09T12:49:00.006-06:00

It's very tragic and disheartening about the events that led up to the 6 causalities including U.S. District Court of Arizona judge John Rolls, 11 injured including Arizona's 8th congressional district representative, Gabrielle Gifford in the Tucson area.

I can tell you why because we live in a society where everyone wants to pigeon-hole others in categories thus making us a society of the proverbial, "label whores". It seen it daily on blogs, forums across the internet on subtle things from politics to entertainment. Case and point, on one of my frequent posting sites, Left in Alabama, there are a number of individuals whom I consider just plain divisive and destructive to anything because they can't generate a coherent or logical discussion about anything. I've pointed this out numerous times in the past including the members like RedEye, Gradyw/Martin Weinrib, Dale Jackson among others that constantly bring nothing to the table other than acrimony. Anytime I've gotten into a discussion with them they try to run the gambit of tricks and even attempt to go for the jugular, but in the end wind up looking like an idiot because I've proven time and time what they are foolish. I don't blame the administration there for the issues, but some of the individual are just ridiculous.

Other sites like Jack & Jill Politics, there are posters whom will do nothing but denigrate or flat out insult posters whom might not agree with their views like CPL/Christian Progressive Liberal (the irony of that name and her actions). I remember very vividly when I decided to engage in the discussion of the candidacy of Artur Davis in the Alabama's gubernatorial race, CPL wanted to be very nasty and even attempt to insult me because I corrected their misinformation and half-truths. It's just become a regular old circus these days on some of these sites.

Also on Rod 2.0 and Pam's House Blend, these two LGBT oriented (and black issues-leaning) blogs have shown that there are some posters (in Rod 2.0.'s case even Rod McCullom himself) who will attack those whom doesn't agree with practically everything that said on that site.

These examples are just a sample of what I see as a breakdown of civility in our society and that's just on the internet, but its hiding under the surface (and behind a computer screen). What's more disturbing is what is hiding below the surface in everyday life with individuals we encounter in our daily lives. Ironically, these sites suppose to be places of openness of those whom feel "left out" in many ways.

The overzealous nature of partisanship on both sides of the aisle and then the ideological battle of placing everybody in "categories" of being either "liberal" or "conservative". Some people are just "moderate" on most political issues or "socially progressive" but hold reservations on other things thus not having them fit in any particular political mode and that's their prerogative as American citizens. However, there are those on both sides of the ideological extremes that wants to war with those because of those differences. Until we learn that there will always be those in the middle and stop trying to wage this "us versus them" type of mindset, don't be surprise if other more heinous things occur. It's one of the constant reasons why I stay annoyed by some because they want others to "fall in line" of group-thinking or be royal asses just for the hell of it with no coherent or logical backing to their stances.

Seriously, people need to get a grip and realize the consequences of their thoughts and divisive rhetoric.

(h/t to Tucson's local newspaper, Arizona Daily Star for the links to the story)

Uh oh, HOT DOG!

2011-01-07T20:41:00.000-06:00

Texas' government might go BOOM! Why do you ask? Well, the state has a $25 billion hole in its plot of its $1.2 trillion budget called a "deficit". It's big enough to drive a mad truck, train, and plain through it. However, pro-business pundits bills Texas a shining example of a "lean, mean, business-friendly" state, but what can they do if their majority healthcare and educational budget state going to do if they can't fill it?

In the Dallas Morning News back in October, newly re-elected Texas governor Rick Perry said on the campaign trail that he would be for doing away with Medicaid and Medicare-funded sCHIP (state Childrens' Insurance Program) altogether. Now he is really trying to piss off the Babyboomers whom are the core of his voting base because if they can't get their health care then his ass will be burnt like toast.

Well, that's the $64,000 question that the GOP super-majority-led Texas State Legislature will have to figure out in the next few months...

Twisted irony of this being a topic: "The Princess Boy"

2011-01-06T19:29:00.001-06:00

Just last week I was having a conversation with an older black, closeted homosexual guy about this very topic. He said one of the main reasons why he would never live in Atlanta was because of the overt over acceptance of homosexual behaviors and in his words "dudes who dress in female clothing". I responded saying, "I don't worry about what others do because that is their lives and I will live mine as I see fit.". Now this guy is from Chicago originally, where he rear and lived until a couple years ago before relocating with his daughter to Birmingham for a job. It's interesting that he mentioned that he thinks that "guys should exhibit any type of non-conforming behavior" yet he is a homosexual (another non-conforming behavior) and deeply closeted (also a "Praise Team" director at his church in other words he is a "church queen").

I digress, the story about Dyson Kilodavis of Seattle and his non-conforming behavior of dressing in female attire. The 5-year-old black boy likes to dress in dresses and even calls himself "princess boy". He and his mother Cheryl Kilodavis were on the NBC Today show on Monday morning discussing this and a book his mother wrote about similar behavior in children. Cheryl Kilodavis penned her book My Princess Boy in an effort to have these larger conversations about acceptance. The black and mostly black LGBT blogospheres have been talking about this all week. Now I heard about and saw the interview with the Kilodavis' on local NBC station, WVTM, on Monday, but was too tired to say much about it. However, after seeing how the black blogosphere's responses have fallen in other of the 3 catogories: ambivalent, supportive, or against it. (See Bossip, Lipstick Alley, Living Out Loud with Darian, Rod 2.0, Pam's House Blend, Miss Jia) The majority has been against it (no surprise). As Dr. Sheri L. Parks of the University of Maryland, College Park said,

"Religiosity permeates African-American daily life more than any other population," Parks said. "When you look at evangelical Protestants they are the most concerned about gender role development and sexual orientation. African-Americans are very emotionally involved in black masculinity. Masculinity is very highly valued, that's why some people come down hard on this little boy whose not taking his rightful place."

It's a damn shame because identity is one thing as an adolescent that is very hard to figure out and discover as it is, but the additional pressures that blacks places on one another for "conforming behaviors" just makes it even harder for young black males and some females when it comes to these things. Hence, why I give folk the side-eye half the time because as a "group" (when need to used for subjective discussion), we talk out of both sides of our necks. We want acceptance as people as whole in Western society, but refuse to accept individual members for their differences especially in they involve not falling in line with socially acceptable behaviors of being hyper-masculinity in males.

(h/t to the Grio for the links)

UPDATE on Charlotte-Mecklenburg fiasco involving the very vocal county commission

2011-01-06T18:25:00.002-06:00

On Tuesday, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners did pass the resolution supporting diversity, inclusion, and tolerance of all members of their community regardless of sexuality. They along with the public did criticize District 6 Commissioner Bill James for his comments criticizing North Carolina US Senator Richard Burr for voting for the passage of DADT and equating homosexuality with sexual predatory behavior. They went IN on his ass. After getting chewed out, James along with the rest of the Board of Commissioners voted to pass the resolution.

According to the Charlotte Observer, James has ran his mouth like WHOA on blacks, "urban blacks live in a moral sewer" to illegal immigrants to drug dealers. This guy is a piece of work, but a typical Southern white Republican...

(h/t to the Charlotte Observer and Pam's House Blend)

Terri Sewell is now a seated representative for Alabama's 7th congressional district

2011-01-06T17:05:00.000-06:00

It's an interesting yet remarkable accomplishment for Alabama with the seating of the 112th Congress of the United States, the first black female is congressional representative has been sworn in. It's one bright spot for Alabama is Terri Sewell since all the other Democratic House representatives either lost their seats (Bobby Bright) or changed parties yet still lost (Parker Griffith aka "Mr. Two-Last Names"). Sewell supports economic development and major improvements of transportation infrastructure of the Alabama's 7th congressional district (which includes the cities of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Selma) along with the passage of DADT, hate crimes legislation including LGBTs, the passage of ENDA, and even same-sex unionship (i.e. "same-sex marriages" for you jargon-heads who love that goofy term). Sewell pride herself as a pro-women's rights advocate (for equal pay and reproductive choice for women) also supporter of healthcare reform, and financial reform.

It's going to SO INTERESTING watching Republicans trying to play damage control when the media scrutinized them like they did with the Democratically-controlled 111th Congress. Especially after them already waffling on their stance of being so transparent. However, let's take a moment to enjoy Terri Sewell.

CHEERS!

(h/t to Left in Alabama and WAKA-TV for the links)

Uh-oh, Chick-fil-A! The gay bloggers are about come after you!!!!!

2011-01-04T17:06:00.022-06:00

Well, it didn't take long for me to hear about this, and the gay blogs to follow up with a pressure-cooker campaign to get them to drop their co-sponsorship with Pennsylvania Family Institute of "The Art of Marriage" on February 11th & 12th in the Harrisburg area and Reading in Pennsylvania. Although the event isn't about being "anti-same-sex marriage", it speaks on biblical marriage and the support for it. However, the Pennsylvania Family Institute, is the largest organization against LGBT rights in Pennsylvania. So it's guilty by association because Chick-fil-A hasn't made it known they are overtly anti-LGBT rights. Interestingly, they did sponsor Colorado-based Focus on Family and some golf tourney in Ohio led by Ohioan based group, which supports the usage of reparative therapy to change sexuality, which many experts equates to mental torture. Official at Atlanta area-based Chick-fil-A hasn't made any official comments or stances on anything public involving LGBT rights. (Maybe it has to do with them being based in the metropolitan area of one of the largest LGBT cities in the nation, so it could be chalked up to guilty by association. On the other hand, they do close on Sundays for their employees can be with their families... ***KANYE SHRUG***)

Well, like the Target fiasco, I'm going to remain ambivalent because I shop and eat at places that are cheap and offers quality products and services. I'm on a fixed income while working on my Masters' degree, and don't eat out often anyways so this fiasco doesn't affect me. However, it is interesting what's going to go down in the next few days.

UPDATE: Advocate, Towerload, Queerty, Change.org have swooped down on it.

Oh look at what DeKalb County is doing now...

2011-01-01T22:35:00.027-06:00

The employment carnage that is known Dekalb County, Georgia has yet to truly see an ending. Since late 2009, the various governmental agencies from the county government to county school district has been shedding jobs left and right like it's going out of style. According to this past Wednesday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, they are planning on outsourcing custodial jobs. Although these are the lowest ones on the totem pole of functionality of a school district we knew who holds most of these positions... (***HINT*** It's folk ***HINT***)

Outsourcing is one of several suggestions that came up earlier this year as part of budget cuts. Facing an estimated $50 million shortfall in next year’s budget, the proposal is back on the table.

I'm more perplexed how a rapidly growing county in Metro Atlanta has been able to function over the past 15 years since they've seen the county population jump by 100,000 new residents. The county itself has been in the spotlight of mismanagement from the cost-of-living pay raises that occurred for outgoing county commissioners staffers last fall in the midst of massive deficit while refusing to give county police officers raises to the former county superintendent being indicted for racketeering to 430 school district employees being laid off to the recommendation to close 14 declining enrollment schools to now this. Chaos at its very worse in DeKalb. Unfortunately, it's the one jurisdiction aside from Atlanta proper that I would prefer to reside in Metro Atlanta... ***SIGH***

Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Charlotte Mecklenburg, we have a problem, and it's a bigoted white Republican guy who doesn't give a flying fuck!

2010-12-29T21:56:00.001-06:00

Well, I've been sleeping on the happenings in North Carolina, particularly Charlotte for a minute because of the beacon of foolishness going on here in the Deep South. However, I dedicate the existence of the blog to mostly Southern happenings. In Charlotte's home county, Mecklenburg County, the board of county commissioners has been home to one of the most asinine individuals of the North Carolina GOP, a man by the name of Bill James. James is the commission of District 6 of Mecklenburg County which includes the extremely southeastern portion of the county including the suburban municipalities of Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville. He has been serving 7 consecutive terms on the Mecklenburg County Commission.

Last December, James said something quite offensive to Meck. County District 2 commissioner, Vilma Leake, when the Board of County Commissioners were voting upon a same-sex domestic partnership benefits (which passed 6-3). James asked Leake, "Your her son was a homo, really?" during the vote, and Leake replied, "Don't make me hurt you. Don't do that to me. Don't talk to me about my son." This guy has a history of being obsessed with homosexual sexual acts and have used the Mecklenburg County email to send out messages about it for awhile now. DINGBAT WITH REPRESSED HOMOSEXUAL TENDENCIES!!!! He refused to apologize and went on sending out a message calling Leake, "a religious hypocrite", because she is married to a bishop in A.M.E. Zion Church, which suppose to be against homosexuality.

Today, the Charlotte Observer reports James deriding fellow North Carolinian GOPer, U.S. Senator Richard Burr for voting for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". He went on to saying Burr's vote is "an endorsement of homosexuality". His statement quote:

"I think there are a lot of things that people of all political stripes tolerate from their politicians," James said. "But endorsing immorality and allowing military recruits to be preyed on by homosexuals is not one that I will tolerate.

He's also pissed that the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners is looking to recognize and endorse the repeal at their next regular commission meeting and responded by sending out nasty emails repeating his statements about LGBTs being "sexual predators". He's now catching heat from a number of LGBTs and allies in North Carolina, according to the Q-Notes newspaper. Also the Charlotte Observer is reporting that some emails from constituents are requesting James be censured by the Board of County Commissioners.

Well, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, my nickname for Charlotte, YOU GUYS HAVE A PROBLEM ON YOUR COUNTY COMMISSION! This guy is just nutty as a fruitcake and probably is very much a repressed homosexual because he obsesses over it.

Teena Marie 1956-2010

2010-12-29T20:20:00.000-06:00

I swear it seems like every Christmas Day, a major entertainer passes. I remember like it was yesterday back in 2006 when James Brown passed on Christmas Day because I was listening to WPGC 95.5 in Washington D.C. via AOL Radio and they announced he passed on air while playing Christmas music. Now, while listening to WPGC's sister station, WVEE "V-103", in Atlanta they announced during their Quiet Storm on Sunday night that Teena Marie had died in her sleep sometime between Christmas Day and the 26th. It seems like we have reached a time when a number of the "old school" musicians are passing away at a rapid pace. ***SIGH***

Her music was legendary with "Fire & Desire" with the late Rick James to "Lovergirl", "Ooo La La La" to my all time favorite "Square Biz".

Rest in peace, Ms. Marie. I will miss you and your soul-funk music, the Queen of Ivory Soul. You were also one of the few non-black soul artists that gain my respect and admiration for your tenacity music making.

Bama Fact Check looked into the new payroll deduction ban in Alabama

2010-12-27T13:08:00.000-06:00

Apart of the ethics reform passed during the special session of the Alabama State Legislature 2 weeks ago was a new law that banned any automatic payroll deductions from public employees to political organizations. Well, the article "Facts and Myths about the AEA payroll ban" was published 10 days about by the Anniston Star on Bama Fact Check. It went into detail about the recently passed ban on automatic payroll deductions of public employees directly to political organizations. Many sees it as a "poison pill" to the Alabama Education Association. The bill was also known as SB2.

CLAIM: The bill is unconstitutional.
Reality:Maybe, maybe not.

Critics of the ban argued that limiting teachers' ability to donate their own money is unconstitutional.

Ultimately, only the courts can decide whether that claim is right. But recent precedent would seem to suggest that a court challenge to SB2 would face an uphill fight.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a similar case in Idaho in 2009. There, as in Alabama, a teacher’s union collected fees from teachers through payroll deductions, and the state Legislature moved to ban the practice.

Writing for the majority of the court, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that freedom of speech “does not confer an affirmative right to use government payroll mechanisms for the purpose of obtaining funds for expression.” The court ruled that in the absence of a free speech violation, the state had only to show a “rational basis” for banning the payroll deductions. In the Idaho case, the state cited an appearance of “entanglement” with political organizations as its reason for the ban.

This precedent is still up for debate, so we'll have to see about this.

CLAIM: Blue Cross Blue Shield — also funded through payroll deductions — has a political arm.
Reality:Yes, but the firewall between the contributions and the PAC is thicker.

Critics of SB2 have pointed out that teachers already have funds deducted from their paychecks for PEEHIP, the state’s health insurance plan. PEEHIP is administered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama, and critics of SB2 say the group has its own lobbying arm, just like the AEA.

Federal Election Commission records show that there is, indeed, a Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama PAC, headquartered in Montgomery. Funded by contributions from administrators in BC/BS, the PAC has, in the past two years, given more than $80,000 to other PACs and congressional candidates. The PAC has made contributions to members of both parties -— including $10,000 to former Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright of Montgomery and $10,000 to Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Anniston. But the overall flavor of the contributions is conservative, with donations to a group titled Every Republican is Crucial and a group called Defend America PAC, which has given to a number of GOP candidates.

BC/BS vice president Koko Mackin claims there are “no similarities” between the Blue Cross PAC and the one run by AEA.

“Blue Cross’ PAC is totally funded by voluntary Blue Cross employee payroll contributions, and it supports only candidates for federal office,” Mackin said via e-mail.

It’s true that, even though the PAC bears the company’s name — and calls to the PAC are forwarded to one of the company’s vice presidents — every single contribution on record has come from a company employee, and not the company itself.

Mackin also said that employees’ contributions to PEEHIP go directly to the state, which pays BC/BS to administer the insurance plan as a “third-party administrator.”

Now this one is very interesting considering BCBS of Alabama has something similar going on. Apparently after being in power for nearly 5 decades, AEA would learn a thing or two from these other organizations how to run yourself as two seperate organizations. Instead, this argument has been debunk and AEA proponents don't have a proverbial leg to stand upon in court with this one.

CLAIM: Gov. Bob Riley ran a PAC from the governor’s mansion.
Reality:Not necessarily.

Proponents of the payroll deduction ban hung their argument on the notion that it's wrong to use public resources to obtain contributions for a political group. AEA members argued that the cost of enrolling teachers in the payroll deduction was virtually nil, but proponents of the bill said any use of public resources for this purpose was too much. Opponents of SB2 countered by alleging that Gov. Bob Riley runs his own PAC —- and runs it from the governor’s mansion, effectively using public property to solicit political donations.

According to records from the Alabama Secretary of State’s office, one Robert Renfroe Riley is listed as the chairman of the aptly-named GOV PAC, which lists its mission as “to elect qualified candidates dedicated to moving Alabama forward.” Riley lists his address as 1142 South Perry St. in Montgomery —- the governor’s mansion.

But that’s the chair’s residence, not the headquarters of the PAC. The official address of GOV PAC is a post office box in Birmingham. Obviously, you can’t hold a meeting in a post office box, so Bama Fact Check contacted Riley’s office to find out where the PAC’s business is conducted.

“My understanding is that the checks come to the post office box, and the treasurer takes them home and does the work there,” said Jeff Emerson, Riley’s spokesman.

The PAC’s paperwork lists someone named Kay Nimm as the treasurer. Nimm’s address is listed as a post office box in Chelsea. Efforts to reach Nimm, at the number listed in the PAC’s papers, were unsuccessful.

Now I find this one to be tale-telling about the outgoing governor and the his administration's actions. However, his people knew to do their stuff within legal and mostly ethical bounds like BCBS.
The morale of this story is know your lane and stick to it. AEA should have learned to fall back years ago on anything that wasn't associated with education. Instead they decided to meddle with the entire political process on both sides of the partisan spectrum, while clearly history says whom they were playing sides for the majority of the time. The mid-game side changing didn't help, rather further indict their unethical meddling. Now one isn't giving credence to borderline actions of BCBS (federal healthcare), GOVPAC (being Riley's sycophants), but they knew their lanes and stayed in them. AEA did themselves in by playing "Jack/Jill of All Trades" in politics and failing to realize a Jack/Jill of all trades is an expert at nothing at all.

All this led to (in the words of actress Tasha Smith from the movie Why Did I Get Married? go to 3:18 in the video) "the BOOM" formally known as SB2.

On a holiday note...

2010-12-24T12:03:00.000-06:00

I'll be laying low since it is the holidays. However, I might post some. Anyways, it's been fun doing this for nearly 2 years now on all things from politics, music, entertainment, and urban issues.

Happy Holidays!

Well, well, well, somebody made it big in urban music out of Pittsburgh

2010-12-24T12:00:00.000-06:00

Well, if you know my blog track history then you would know I am an avid urban music fan. Well, fellow blogger, Urban Radio Nation, did a story talking about how up-an-coming rapper, Wiz Khalifa, making it big in urban radio without a local station being in Pittsburgh. The blog covers the history and closure of long time "heritage" urban station, WAMO, after nearly 5 decades of being on air in Pittsburgh. Now it's a Catholic radio station airing religious services and programs. The closest station to the urban format is Clear Channel-owned top 40, WKST, which plays it because of its charting status on the Billboard Top 100. However, that station is just paying lip-service to the hip-hop song because its hits status, not because it is local per say.

However, Wiz Khalif has made it so big that he is getting spins with his hit, "Black and Yellow", which is based on the colors of the cities sports teams, like the Pittsburgh Pirates, major-league baseball team. The single is now on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song chart. It celebrates the "Steel City" and its pride for hometown sport teams. I personally love the song and play it while in the gym working out because the up-tempo beat.

It's just a damn shame that a city as large as Pittsburgh and with a 27% black in the city (about 10% metropolitan area), it doesn't even have an urban radio station serving its community. Another time and depressing day for listeners of urban radio that want to see stations represent their hometown artists, whom are good and give their city some spotlight, has to use alternative ways of obtaining success.

Interesting things that have occurred with Virginia

2010-12-24T10:04:00.000-06:00

Since the passage of DADT repeal through both houses of Congress, there was a little stir amongst one of the Virginia many GOP delegates. This one with the name, Bob Marshall, from Prince William County, which is apart of the Metro Washington area of Northern Virginia, is drafting a bill for the regular session of Virginia General Assembly to enforce a state ban on any LGBT members of the Virginia National Guard. However, this one snag to his plan, the Virginia National Guard is 95% federally funded, so how exactly does Mr. Marshall plan on funding something like if the violate federal law?

I mean this is a recession, and many states are still cash-strapped or deep in the red, but whom how legislating social policy is more important than common sense?

YEAH, OK....***EYE ROLL***

Meanwhile, I'm awaiting for Virginia AG Cuccinelli to come out the gate with some bull that will say it's legit and then the federal court will overturn the stupid law then they all whine the feds are trying to take over everything again, and scene. It's like a melodramatic act in a play seen all too many times.

(links courtesy of the Washington Post)

The Special Session in Alabama Legislature is over

2010-12-19T10:53:00.000-06:00

Here are the things that came out of this special session:

All the proposed legislative ethics bills were passed, but none in their original forms. The climax of the special session was the AEA-administered coup by the House Democrats against SB-2 which was the bill restrict direct deductions from workers' payroll to support political activities. It led to a 14-hour filibuster in the Alabama House where the Democrats were blocking cloture, but on the bill in its original form. However, in the end it passed with a narrow 52-49 majority around 3AM Thursday morning. Some Democrats are upset like some of my buddies over at Left in Alabama with parallel arguments about the GOP and their funding of local chambers of commerce. I'm not denying the argument is not legitimate. On the other hand, I personally think it is a good thing because AEA has to be stripped of power because they are a political liability to Alabama progressive politics. After the AEA insured the election of 2 of the most dubious gubernatorial candidates in modern Alabama history, I deserved to be pushed into inert category. It also gives some teachers a choice if they want a portions of their earnings to go to a political organization or not...

Gardendale Republican state senator, Scott Beason, has proven to his constituents what his critics have been saying forever. He is an optimist and lacks any ethics himself. He wants to be wine and dined like some cheap whore for favors from lobbyists, but the House Democrats weren't having that. However, I knew this when that jackal, Beason, attempted to pass a bill that would have prohibit any articles of literature from public libraries, schools, and universities containing references to homosexuality.

In all the special session was pretty fruitful productive.

Don't Ask Don't Tell is done

2010-12-18T15:27:00.000-06:00

The US Senate voted with 65-31 vote to end the Clinton administration era policy against LGBTs serving openly in the military. I'm surprised by the gain of a couple of GOP votes like Mark Kirk of Illinois, Susan Collins of Maine, Scott Brown of Massachusetts, etc. However, it is done, so the LGBT bloggers should stop whining about how President Obama hasn't fulfilled his promise of repealing it. It's obvious since the Republicans will be taking over the House and a few more Republican senators in the US Senate next month that anything else socially progressive for LGBTs won't be going down anytime soon. Now let's rejoice and enjoy the holiday season...

IN RELATED NEWS: In one his last votes as a congressman, when the House voted again on the repeal DADT, Artur Davis voted against it. It is what it is. I've always been like "kanye shrug" at Davis when he steps outside of the progressive mode because he is a moderate. However, the sycophant of Shelia Smoot whining on Martin Weinrib aka "gradyw" of Left in Alabama and "MartinW" of Progressive Electorate about it.

Another party switcher in Texas

2010-12-17T12:40:00.001-06:00

I'm continuing my series of post-election Democrat-to-Republican party switchers across the South. Today's state of choice is Texas! Yeah Texas, you guys are apart of the South, LOL! Anyways, on to more serious business. On Wednesday, a Hispanic American Democrat, Aaron Peña, of Texas's 40th house district, decided to jump ship and join the GOP super-majority in the Texas State House. The kicker is this dude is representative from Hidalago County, i.e. "Rio Grande Valley" of South Texas also known as the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metropolitan area, which has a solid non-white majority and very Democratically oriented politically. Peña should know his political career is dead-on-arrival after this term and the treachery of switching parties after an election where he was elected as a member of one party then switch. Oh yeah, Alan Ritter, a white Democrat turned Republican, of Texas' 21st house district switched as well on the same day, but his district is considered a "toss-up" politically speaking since it's not as diverse and of the average Southern demographics (if you know what I mean) in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area of Southeast Texas.

I have to say the optimism in politics is at an all-time high at the moment...

(h/t to Burnt Orange and Mean Rachel)

The Inmate Strike in Georgia Prisons

2010-12-17T11:34:00.000-06:00

Something that has been largely ignored by the mainstream media outlets including the majority of the ones in Georgia itself. This is the inmates in prisons across the state of Georgia have been striking over the lack of humane conditions in the state and county prisons. According to the Black Agenda Report, the prisons are only leaving their cells for hot showers and food, but refusing to participant in their involuntary and uncompensated work assignments. Their demands includes demanding wages for their labor, educational opportunities, adequate health care and nutrition, and better conditions. They have the support of the Georgia chapter of the NAACP, the Nation of Islam, the National Association for Radical Prison Reform, the Green Party of Georgia, the Ordinary Peoples Society, and the Concerned Coalition to Protect Prisoner Rights, which is a coalition comprised of civil rights attorneys, ministers, community organizations and other prisoner advocates.

This is understandable considering according to the 2005 report conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, blacks makes up 39.8% of the prison population. That's more than 1 in 3 blacks are or have been incarcerated Something that obviously affects most black Americans since most of us either know or are related to somebody that has or is prison. Hopefully, this will end peacefully and the inmates will get their grievances fulfilled and have humane standards in the Georgia Department of Corrections systems.

Who in the hell still steals copper?

2010-12-15T14:58:00.001-06:00

Copper is practically worthless these days after the market drop in late 2007 (because let's be honest take into account the price of gas to travel to where it is and a place to sale it then it is worthless). Meanwhile, the late thieves in Alabama (where it seems 90% of everything is way behind the curve) are still attempting to steal copper to make a quick buck. This morning in downtown Birmingham, where the city's Christmas tree was standing in Linn Park was burned down by a couple of these late copper stealing morons.

According to the Birmingham News, the thieves attempted to melt the plastic from the copper to extract the metal to sale by dousing the tree in gasoline and set a small fire. The idiots also set the tree on fire and burned the majority of the tree lower portion resulting in being taken to the city recycling center to be made into mulch.

It's a damn shame after Birmingham has already suffered through another election of another member of the status quo group, continued plunging of city population, the ongoing battle to handle a deficit, and now this. Birmingham really needs a break...SIGH!

UPDATE: The local urban adult contemporary radio station WBHK, "98.7 Kiss FM" has decided to step in and help replace the city's tree. They had the tree delivered to Linn Park around 3PM this afternoon, and other surrounding cities are offering up extra ornaments that have storage to the city of Birmingham to decorate the new tree. There is a tree lighting ceremony planned for 9AM Thursday morning.

However, on a personal note, it still doesn't change my feelings about the boring ass Kiss FM. Birmingham should have a station more like V-103 in Atlanta as its leader and community-oriented urban station.

Tom Cuccinelli is at it again, but this time causing problems involving the enforcement of healh care reform in Virginia

2010-12-13T21:59:00.001-06:00

Virginia's controversial, foolish attorney general, Tom Cuccinelli, has gotten his wish of repealing the enforcement of some of the Federal Affordable Care Act. The portion in particular is the mandate of requiring citizens to buy some form of health insurance. The U.S. District Court Judge, Henry E. Hudson, known for his conservative stances and dabbling in anti-healthcare reform lobbying as well, ruled today that portion of the Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional.

"Neither the Supreme Court nor any federal circuit court of appeals has extended Commerce Clause powers to compel an individual to involuntarily enter the stream of commerce by purchasing a commodity in the private market," he wrote. "In doing so, enactment of the [individual mandate] exceeds the Commerce Clause powers vested in Congress under Article I [of the Constitution.]"

The kicker is why this justice ruled in Cuccinelli's favor was because the Republican-dominated Virginia General Assembly passed a state law prohibiting any type of mandate against requiring a health insurance for citizens. (Of course, the same logic could be drawn from the mandating of certain states requiring drivers to have automobile insurance, but that another conversation). Cuccinelli feels embolden now since he got his way and even Virginia Republican Congressman Eric Cantor want to even have the case sent directly to the SCOTUS (U.S. Supreme Court). Oh yeah, the mandate isn't exactly unenforceable because it will be still be allowed while its going through the appeals process.

However, this whole situation is first shot of the GOP and anti-healthcare reform sycophants to strip this delicately constructed law allowing many whom couldn't receive health care including many of my fellow Gen-Y peers as well as those whom are over the poverty line but can't afford it either (also known as the "in-between"). Oh yeah, let me not forget about the other 20 states including Alabama and Georgia, stirring the pot on this law. This whole fiasco is another reason why anyone with common sense should be against this craziness rather than promoting it...

Oh how cute, another opportunist but this one is black and it's in Georgia

2010-12-09T22:49:00.001-06:00

I couldn't leave this one out!

According to the Democratic Party of Georgia, one of their few north Georgian black Democrats (outside the immediate Metro Atlanta area) is switching parties. His name is Ashley Bell, and is a former president of the Georgia chapter of College Democrats and current Hall County commissioner for the District 4. He said quote:

“After consulting with family my conscience leads me to determine that the Democratic Party is no longer aligned with my core beliefs,” Bell said. “In short, my personal convictions and conservative beliefs fit comfortably within the Republican Party. That’s why I have made my decision to officially become a Republican.”

“As a Hall County Commissioner, I have strongly supported privatization of services to make them less expensive and more efficient. I have voted against spending increases, supported a resolution to declare English our official language, and supported strengthening ethics standards for government,” Bell said. “Too many Democrats seem to oppose these basic conservative ideas.”

Now I had to research this guys background. According to the Gainesville Times, Bell is a Hall County native and a very active participant in the DNC, elected as the youngest delegate ever at the convention in 2000, 2004 where he was a primetime speaker. Why the sudden flip? Well, individuals whom know him has called him an "opportunist" and "I would posit that he wants a future. Good to know that he's willing to compromise his ideals to accomplish that". Hmmm....interesting and tale-telling... (h/t to Blog for Democracy)

It's opportunist season once again and you will see who is actually about clamoring for power and whose about their shit...

Somethings that are occuring in the Alabama Legislature...

2010-12-09T22:32:00.000-06:00

I guess the now Republican-majority Alabama Legislature has all those who watch Alabama politics in a tizzy. First, Alabama's outgoing governor, Bob Riley, decided to do a speech opening the special sessions for "ethics reform" at 6PM on Wednesday, and surprisingly the local Birmingham TV stations with news ops aired. (Well, some of them like ABC 33/40, WIAT "CBS 42", and WBRC "FOX6"). WVTM, "Alabama's 13" (formerly "NBC 13") didn't air it at all, but did cover it during their 10PM newscast. It seems like "media bias" to me because not once in recent memory have any of the Birmingham news media outlet felt it was pertinent to air anything from the State Capitol on live television. ***SIDE-EYE***

Anyways, back to the discussion of the special session. It looks like the Republicans want to pass 7 key items (of course on their terms):

Code of Public Ethics and Accountability
Legislative Double Dipping Ban
PAC-to-PAC Ban
Pass-Through Pork Ban
Protect the Public Trust Act
Restricting Political Activity on State Time
Transparency and Accountability Act

I know some of my fellow progressives like my buddy, "Mooncat", on Left in Alabama has expressed their grievances and agreements with the proposal. Although others are just looking for a reason to "cause strife" between the "Riley camp" and the "Bentley camp". Not that I disagree with looking for a counter tactic for Democrats to use against the Republicans, but they had control of the Alabama Legislature for 136 years and did nothing but hold on to power.

The outgoing governor and newly elected state legislators are just a beacon of interesting ideas including newly appointed Senate Pro-Tem, Del Marsh, who has recommended legislative staff reductions. The catch is that they might be bringing in their own as usual, who might get paid just as much...

This whole situation with this party shift is a mess, but many (including myself) warned the Democrats of their antics of doing nothing would come back to haunt them sooner than later.

Now what exactly is this going to prove?

2010-12-09T21:03:00.001-06:00

I'm starting to wonder if the partisan purists of the Democratic party wants to see this fight blow up in the President's face. Especially after today when House Democrats wants to block the resolution as is that would allow the passage of the combined bill allowing an long term extension of unemployment benefits in return for a 2-year extension of the tax cuts on the wealthy. However, what most of them haven't anticipated is the American people will blame them meaning House and Senatorial Democrats in 2012 if they economy stalls because of this "proof of cuming political points" against Congressional Republicans. I hate the idea of giving an extension to those whom makes $250K+ annually, i.e. the "Bush-era tax cuts". Meanwhile, the people who are going to be punished is those whom make below this tax bracket and the long-term unemployed. Every battle shouldn't be won if you are attempting to win a war, but I guess this notion is lost on deaf ears of some Democrats that wants revenge, political revenge.

All I can say let's hope the counter-deal that the Democrats are crafting is going to work....

So Kasim Reed apologizes to the Atlanta LGBTs for the police raid

2010-12-09T12:07:00.002-06:00

In an unceremonious manner, Atlanta mayor, Kasim Reed, apologized to the victims of the 2008 raid of the Midtown Atlanta gay bar, Eagle, and called for "healing". According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the settlement resulted in $1 million to the owners and 60 individuals involved in the raid where Atlanta Police officers handcuffed bar patrons and workers without a warrant. Reed said:

“I believe that what occurred that evening should not have happened and should not happen again,” Reed said at a news conference. “As mayor of Atlanta, I feel pain for anyone mistreated in our city and apologize to each plaintiff in the . . . case.”

“This week’s settlement agreement is a step forward, and I hope, the beginning of a healing process,” said Reed, who was not mayor at the time. “The plaintiffs and the city . . . have agreed upon clear steps which will strengthen and improve our law enforcement capabilities and help ensure that an incident such as this will not happen again in our city.”

Reed is hoping this will help "heal" the divide between the current administration and the LGBT constituency. IMHO, that is yet to be seen because I know how some people will be bitter as hell and will hold a grudge for a long time. Anyways, good to see this case resolved and maybe the APD will not do such random things in the future.

Video is courtesy of the Georgia Voice

And what exactly suppose to be said about the 'compromise'?

2010-12-08T22:42:00.000-06:00

Let's see President Obama decided to 'co-opt' a 'compromise' with the Senatorial Republicans over the "Bush-era" tax cuts that are set to expire on 1/1/11 along with a 13-month extension of unemployment benefits which expired on 11/30. Seems like a no-brainer to me. However, so of my fellow more partisan-oriented progressives want to hold the unemployed hostage like what happened over the summer to prove a point. Uh, how in the hell thinks this is a good idea?

Let's be realistic, Obama is setting the Republicans up to be exposed as the classist bastards they are in 2012 when the tax cuts are up for debate again. Also he isn't going to be held to some delusional partisan ideal that some of my fellow progressives but also liberals will live and breathe by until they day they die. Common sense will tell you that nothing in life is cut and dry especially in politics. Now if some of my fellow progressives doesn't realize this then that is on them, but I know what is up with this 'compromise'.

A tragic ending for somebody whom earned my respect and admiration

2010-12-08T22:15:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately, Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of former 2008 Democratic presidential nominee, John Edwards, lost her battle with breast cancer. She always was seen in my eyes as sincere advocate for the worker-class and lower class citizenry and health care access for all. At least she is no long suffering physically (and hopefully emotionally) from such much in her 61 year life. May she rest in peace.

Eddie Long attempts to silence his accusers with money

2010-12-07T22:03:00.002-06:00

Well, I guess good ol' Eddie Long had decided to "keep it on the hush" rather than "fight it to the very end" as he claimed months ago before his nearly 25,000 congregation in Lithonia (Georgia). Oh hell, oh well. It just displays to me the burden of proof he was fucking with those males and is an ephebophile and one whom has some strong homosexual undertones to their being.

Well, there is some truth to this, but a lot more misconceptions to this

2010-12-04T20:17:00.000-06:00

I just read the article by Josh Kraushaar in the National Journal discussing the diversity problem associated with the Democratic Party. While there is some truth to this notion because I've been saying this for a while now that there is a humongous problem within the DNC that involving viable black politicos whom are electable to pluralistic, statewide offices such as the U.S. Senate and governorships. I've said time, time, and time again that there needs to be more pluralistic candidates promoted to candidacy for statewide offices across the South, but there is those whom are vehemently against this. Yet, some blacks do wonder why the lack of viable black candidates continues persist in the South.

On the other hand, there is way more young and non-white voters willing to vote for Democrats over Republicans. The reasoning is quite obvious T.E.A. twits, Dixiecrats, anti-progressive stance will likely be the Republicans undoing.

Now, the elections of Bobby Jindal, Nikki Haley (ironically both Indian Americans) to the governorships of Louisiana and South Carolina respectively is impressive. However, notice they aren't electing any blacks or Meso-American Hispanics to the statewide offices because they know it won't fly in the South. The few blacks elected in the South are always in majority white districts and extremely socially conservative, i.e. Allen West of Florida and Tim Scott of South Carolina. This individuals aren't reflective of a "pluralistic" candidate rather an anti-thesis of pluralism because they have subjectively refuted an inclusive platform that is very reflective of their congressional districts. This alone shows anyone with a strong critical analysis skill will notice about this situation of "diversity" in the Republican party. It also will come back to haunt the GOP because most non-whites see through the overt non-inclusive nature of the current Republican party.

Oh Beauregard! You are a bigot after all...

2010-12-04T19:51:00.000-06:00

After going through the motions of talking about the results of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal in the U.S. Senate all this past week. Meanwhile, Alabama's own, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, has proven that he isn't just a racially bias asshole, but a very closed minded one at that. It's seems he doesn't care that the majority of U.S. service members are ambivalent or for the inclusion of LGBT in the military. He attempts to spew this half-assed incoherent statement in response:

"I'm inclined to the personal view that 'don't ask, don't tell' has been pretty effective," Sessions said during a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "And I'm dubious about the change, although I fully recognize that good people could disagree on that subject."

In other word, even if the vast majority of troops doesn't believe it will a problem he doesn't want it done. I just enjoy this type of bigotry because it so blatant, yet most white Alabamians will never admit they elected a bigot to office. I have consistently either voted against Session or abstained from voting on the US Senate race at the ballot. In 2012, Alabama Democrats should actually attempt to vet and place an opponent against this bigot because he is very racially bias and obviously anti-LGBT...

So if the T.E.A. Party had their way then nobody that didn't own property would vote?

2010-12-04T19:32:00.002-06:00

It's no surprise that the T.E.A. twats are still peddling their aversive bias and classist agenda across America. It so ironic the same group of people have screamed, "We want our country back!" by verbatim would allow another one its "leaders" venture into this territory again.

Well, Judson Phillips of Nashville-based "Tea Party Nation" said on his internet radio show of the same name that went along the lines of defending the original laws that only allowed property owners the right to vote:

The Founding Fathers originally said, they put certain restrictions on who gets the right to vote. It wasn't you were just a citizen and you got to vote. Some of the restrictions, you know, you obviously would not think about today. But one of those was you had to be a property owner. And that makes a lot of sense, because if you're a property owner you actually have a vested stake in the community. If you're not a property owner, you know, I'm sorry but property owners have a little bit more of a vested interest in the community than non-property owners.

Thanks to the gigantic ponzy scheme orchestrated by the U.S. government (primarily under the Bush administration) and financial industry, nearly 1/3rd of US residents are ineligible for homeownership.

David DeGerolamo, a North Carolina tea party leader and founder of NC Freedom, a state-wide tea party umbrella group went even further saying he wants the 14th Amendment repealed.

It's like Rand Paul and his bullshit all over again. Now I'm awaiting the "strict constitutionalists" come out the gate defending this bullshit. We live in some sad time in this nation when racist and classist bullshit can be defended.

(h/t to the Institute for Southern Studies)

Why Southern Democrats are on the skids...

2010-11-21T12:05:00.001-06:00

I will dedicate this blog post to the truth as to why Southern Democrats are on the skids. It has all to do with the miraculous cloaking of so many leftover Dixiecrats in many positions of these state parties. Like YouTube sensation, Cadillac Kimberly said, "I don't go IN on anybody. If I was going IN then I would put on a Teflon vest. I speak the truth".

Most Southern white Democratic politicos aren't shit. It started with the American Civil Right Movement and the fight for equal rights, liberties, and protections for people of color (non-whites) under the law. Most Southern states until the 1970s were dominated by Democrats. Due to the Democratic party history of aligning itself with the New Deal programs championed by Franklin D. Roosevelt that benefited a great deal since it provided electricity and other modern amenities that others in the Northeast and Midwest had for a couple of decades. However, this whole allowing "others" equal treatment and rights just didn't (and still doesn't sit well with most white Southerners). These voters are called a love term known as Dixiecrats. Oh yeah, don't let the dissolution of the "party" fool you at all, they still exist but are more covert about their ways...

In the South, many state Deep Southern Democratic parties like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Georgia have coddled these type of voters with "Yellow Dog", "Blue Dog", or just plain conservative Democrats to conserve their partisan majority of their state legislatures. This was at the advantage of productive socially progressive and many times fiscally sound decisions to better their respective states. However, by the "1994 Wave" in states like Georgia, Democrats lost both houses of state legislature due to this persistent of coddling of a group of voters in areas where you know the white voters will associate Democrat label to "bettering others over them". Now this "wave" has finally come to Alabama in form the same occurring nearly 15 years after neighboring Georgia.

In both states cases, the state Democratic party leadership has spent so much political capital trying to keep Democrats whom would turn on their own in a heartbeat in their ranks. Now as a political independent, I'm all for fighting for your constituency, but there is a thin line between being a champion of the people and a selfish bastard. The recent episodes in Alabama and Georgia has shown that these types can play-pretend to care about the people but still get away for bloody murder in a gerrymandered or racially imbalanced district.

Many of these types are the latter because the now curious case of soon-to-be former Florida congressman, Alan Grayson, stood to the very end as a champion of the people and socially progressive leader although a number of the foolish asses in Florida's 8th congressional district that will listen to the sound of water boiling and think it's a platform. (Interesting side note, FL-8 is a district that includes the eastern and northern portions of the city of Orlando, which are both predominately white, whereas the western side and more racially diverse side of the city is in another district. This is all while the majority of FL-8 is west of the city of Orlando itself. Another case of gerrymandering...)

What needs occur from here on out is Democrats realize that any white politico that spends more time basically speaking in cues about blocking social progress especially those that benefit non-whites and lower class shouldn't be trusted. It seems more like these types have a demographic, mostly white males over age 50 years. That can be traced back to the fact that they were born during or prior to the Civil Rights Movement and doesn't seem to have actual respect for the rights of those different than themselves. It's time for them to take out the trash and make sure it doesn't stick around for more issues.

Oh yeah, let's not confuse these types with moderate Democrats, whom will actually support socially progressive stance, but show resistance to somethings on fiscally sound grounds. Those types aren't a part of the problem because when push comes to shove involving social progress they tend to be on the right side of history.

And action!!!!

2010-11-19T19:51:00.000-06:00

It's time for Congress to be the star of the short film called "Lame Duck" and watch the Congressional Democrats particularly from the Senate scramble to pass as much legislation as possible before January. AND ACTION!

The first scene is the recommendation of a formal censure of Congressman Charlie Rangel of Harlem (aka Manhattan North these days) by the House Ethics Committee. His acts of idiocy has come back to haunt him and now he will face the music which means he might not get his long-held chair roles on key Congressional committees back. Anyways...

The Senate will attempt to muster up enough votes to remove DADT by attaching to the DREAM Act, which is more controversial than the DADT since it's about the immigrants. Boy, does Harry Reid really know how to put those important bills together.

Nancy Pelosi was reanointed by the majority of House Democrats (68 members) as House Minority Leader. I don't know how I feel about this considering she could have allowed former House Whip James Clyburn to be #2 rather than Steve Hoyer of Maryland. It seems like there still need to appease the fickle within the ranks, but I'm not buying it.

Now, I'm trying to figure out whether to began the series on the hypocrisies of the Congressional Republicans or not. However, I will note before they have even taken helm of House, the Congressional Republicans are yet to prove to the people and their critics if they are going to refuse the Congressional Benefit Health Insurance after campaign against government-funded health care. There still seems to be one of the incoming freshmen Republicans already whining and bitching about not being able to use his government-funded health insurance until February. that r Also let's not forget the fuckery of how the House Republicans have already vowed to ban earmarks yet those amongst their ranks in the Senate like Alabama's own Richard Shelby has yet to show if they will do the same. Talk is cheap, people, so put up or shut the fuck up...

UGH!!! There are too many idiots in this world, but way too many in the Nashville area

2010-11-12T21:46:00.001-06:00

The foolishness of the fighting over a Muslim mosque in suburban Nashville has once again reaffirmed idiocy still is prevalent in modern society. The on-going fight over a proposed mosque in Rutherford County, Tennessee, near Murfreesboro, has boiled down to the argument that Islam is attempting to take over the Westernized world to enforce Shariah law. ***EYE ROLL***. The attorney of the opponents of the mosque, Joe Brandon, Jr., has been pedaled ignorance involving this case to the point of absurdity in the Rutherford County Chancery Court. Brandon has used random accusation saying the Rutherford County Planning Commission has predeclared the case prior to the vote on it over the summer to saying that Shariah law promotes pedophilia. According to the Tennessean, even the Rutherford County Attorney, Jim Cope, has said this case has turned into a circus.

All I have to say about this is, "See I told ya that there are still some lunatic white Southerners whom will say ANYTHING to perpetuate fuckery that they feel is justified..." You don't see any black Southerns that damn stupid to take some bullshit like this to court because they know it wouldn't fly. Idiots.

The obvious racial problems still occurring in this nation

2010-11-02T22:49:00.001-05:00

We live in a society where aversive bias still lives and thrives. It was clear with the way some political pundits this evening wanted to declare that the "sweeping" losses for some Democratic politicos was the result of poor leadership from the President [Obama]. However, it is far from the contrary. We still live in a society where many white Americans have yet to gotten over their issues of race at all and where there are forces at work that are destroying any chance of economic recovery. Economics doesn't tell the full story behind what is really going on. I'll mostly focus on the South since I know this region all too well.

In the South, a region that by default been one where there are clearly 2 categories of citizenry, poor and wealthy. The middle class didn't exist in the South until the mid-20th century due to the invention of electricity (thanks to the New Deal programs of Tennessee Valley Authority and the creation of electric cooperatives). It brought modernization and vast amounts of projects that brought employment for many following the Great Depression. However, the middle class in the South has always been an anomaly. Then you throw in the additional variable of race, where mostly poor and middle class whites would allow themselves to be manipulated (and to the day still do) by wealthier whites to hate and commit acts of oppression against people of color (non-whites). This led to a stratification of economics on racial terms and beacon an on-going problem where many white Southerners doesn't like (whether overtly or covertly) non-white Southerners as neighbors, coworkers, or even as fellow citizens. This rule of mindset shows itself in the way Southern states, more predominately in rural, less economically empowered regions, there will be an immediate backlash or outright rejection of the election of any form of leadership that isn't white or displays WASP values. Interestingly enough, blacks haven't shown such bias against white leadership in areas where they are reside in large numbers.

However, as the past has shown that there are some neophytes within black political circles in the South whom will exercise some form of reverse racial bias against black politicos and even some progressive whites to win political races in majority black districts. This has occurred multiple times the major Southern cities in Birmingham, Atlanta, Memphis, and New Orleans. What is more is alarming is that state Democratic parties has given the nod-and-wink to instants where this occurred to in statewide offices. This year alone in the states of Alabama and Georgia, the state Democratic leaders along with the black leaders have thrown strong and populist black gubernatorial candidates under the bus for white males with electability issues. In the case of Alabama on the basis of his (Artur Davis') vote on the health care reform legislation in Congress, and the case of Georgia because the state party leadership felt that the former governor (Roy Barnes) was more electable to rural whites over his opponent (Thurbert Baker).

In the congressional races of candidates like Terri Sewell, the issues amongst black leaders with her more progressive, egalitarian style of campaigning because she was woeing the white and LGBT vote of Alabama's 7th congressional district. Her candidacy unnerved the same forces that have been working behind the scenes that has maintained power in Birmingham and Montgomery with Alabama Black Caucus in the state legislature. On the other hand, the power-tripping and egotistical actions of Georgia congressman Sanford Bishop with him being one of the 3 black congressional reps implicated in giving scholarships allocated for citizens of their district for their own family or kin. This along with the by-default racially bias mindset of the 2nd congressional district of Georgia may have cost him his seat to a white Republican, whom has a horrible track history in the Georgia General Assembly.

Racially omission has played a key role in the race between Alabama's 2nd congressional district representative, Bobby Bright and Montgomery council member Martha Roby. There has literally been a painting and campaigning of white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant values over the more racially diverse district, which includes the majority black city of Montgomery. The race itself is an example of this issue where there is nothing being offered by either candidate for the districts 25+% black constituency.

In conclusion, this whole political overview shows what is going on in our society involving politics and race along with economics. It's just a microcosm of what is going on nationwide in other major areas like the Midwest, Northeast, and the West Coast where there are bubbles of racial and ethnic diversity.

An objective take on the Florida senatorial race situation

2010-11-01T01:31:00.002-05:00

It looks like there will be likely a runoff with Mark Rubio and Charlie Crist in the senatorial race in Florida. However, the foolishness and bullshit of Bill Clinton to push for Kendrick Meeks isn't as "out-there-in-left-field" as most would perceive on the surface. There is a practical reason for this, whether it is right or not, for him trying to do this.

1) Florida wasn't going to elect a black Democrat for shit, and that is a reality. We are talking about FLORIDA, the state where if you are black then you better be light and damn near white to be considered "normalized" by the state's standards. 2) The political climate of this year and it being FLORIDA again. The state is a "bellwether" that bounces from one end of the "moderate/swing" to the other. It all depends on the marketability of the candidate. We are in a time where black politicos and political figures are under attack thanks to the fuckery pedaled by the "Angry White People Coalition", the mainstream media and their agenda-setting habits, and duplicity of a number of black congress members for their antics over the past few months. It's like a cornucopia of "get the darkies" that hasn't helped someone like Kendrick Meeks candidacy for nothing. I hate to to be the barer of a reality check, but his candidacy was D.O.A. from day 1 thanks to the circumstances presented. Meeks is from a "safe district" for Democrats and progressives, liberal alike in Florida, but statewide Florida is STILL a Southern state at the core, which means NO BLACKS for prominent offices unless they paint themselves in "our [white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant] values".

It's disheartening for me personally as a black male, but it's the truth. The people and forces at work in our society still wants to play "let's get the nigger/darkie". As pseudo-egalitarian as our society pretends to be (especially some whites), there is still the propensity for it to still blame all blacks for the actions of a few...

As slimy and two-timing as Bill Clinton is (and Lord knows I can't stand him), his stunt with Meeks (like the one with Sestak in Pennsylvania) was pertinent to this situation this year. He was essentially trying to keep the Democratic roles filled so the Dems can stay in power and keep the radicalized candidate on the Republican ticket out of office.

NPR fired Juan Williams YAWN

2010-10-23T00:26:00.001-05:00

I am so over the talk about National Public Radio (NPR) terminating Juan Williams position as a political commentator for their organization. He opened his mouth and said something quite derogatory towards Muslim Americans, and he paid the piper with his job. If I had a job as a political commentator with organization A and then went on a national news network or propaganda organization (You Decide, hint, hint) and said that all the white people involved in the T.E.A. twats gatherings made me uneasy because I know they are aversive racists then I got terminated from organization A. Well, I would deserve it, period. I wasn't being an objective commentator on politics anymore because I felt the need to explain my personal feelings and insulted an already controversial group on national television. Clearly it's a conflict of interest as NPR ombudsmen Alicia C. Shepard elaborated in her column on Williams' termination.

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, and rest of the vindication for their bullshit crowd are harping about stripping the federal funding from NPR because of this. Yet, NPR receives less than 2% of funding from the federal government. This is a textbook example of hypocrisy on the part of the socially conservative and narrow-minded faction that exists in this nation. Nobody was saying a peep about the antics of the commentators of the mostly socially regressive Clear Channel syndicated talk radio shows or NewsCorp (FOX's parent company) founder and CEO Rupert Murdoch donating millions to the Republican Governors Association. Instead, it's oh so convenient to pick and choose their controversies and battles of "objectivity".

Now, NPR might appear a little left leaning, but that's because most of the time they do objective reporting of most major news stories that occur regardless of political ideological stances. If that is considered "liberal" or "left-leaning" then I guess the assumption of the "liberal mainstream media" does exist. (only in the minds of the paranoid and eurocentric oriented social conservative individuals)...

From now on...

2010-10-20T20:55:00.003-05:00

I plan on attempting to post daily or at least 3 times weekly since...

Carry on...

The gifts that the Alabama Education Association (AEA) has brought to us

2010-10-20T20:54:00.000-05:00

The Alabama Education Association (AEA) has basically sabotaged anything remotely progressive (or on that matter, rational) for Alabama for the next 4 years. There are basically 2 morons running for governor, and anyone with a spark of knowledge about politics knows that it's usually this way. However, the caught is that AEA has funded both of their campaigns by spreading lies about their primary opponents and using political action committees (PACs) to do it. We all know the narrative about how the idiot known as Ron Sparks wind up on the Democratic gubernatorial ticket. This time around, I'll tell the tale about how the ornery dermatologist from Tuscaloosa, Robert Bentley, wind up on the Republican ticket.

Apparently, AEA and Stan Pate, a major Alabama real estate development from Tuscaloosa, got into cohorts with one another to spread lies via 9 different PACs against primary opponent, Bradley Byrne. The PACs all swore they represented "conservative Alabamians" and such. Meanwhile, all of their addresses were P.O. Boxes that were owned by AEA members or the organization itself. The whole scheme wreaked of fraud and underhanded campaigning on the part of the AEA. This led to the run-off between Byrne and Bentley where the PACs continued their spreading of misinformation. This type of scam occurred on the Democratic ticket as well along with the help of Joe Reed and his sycophantic org, the ADC (Alabama Democratic Coalition) along with the pseudo-progressive black org, the ANSC (Alabama New South Coalition) against Artur Davis.

Now the majority of Alabamians are having "buyers remorse" before the election because they finally realizing that were played like Nintendo by the AEA. The AEA is a fraudulent organization that doesn't represent anything but status quo these days. If they stood for integrity they would have helped Alabama secure funds for the the federal education improvement programmed created by President Obama instead of fighting against it all because it would allow state-administered charter schools. They would have been fought tooth-and-nail to improve adequate funding for school districts in places like the Black Belt, rural South Alabama, where there are schools where there are no texts available for their students. The AEA is another symptom of the shit that plagues Alabama and should be treated the same way other lobbyists are treated, with a long-handle spoon...

What the hell?

2010-10-14T22:59:00.000-05:00

The dispute between the newly elected (uh why is this an elected position again?) Jefferson County treasury, Jennifer Champion and the Jefferson County Commission has gone too damn far. According to the Birmingham News, now their dispute is apparently holding up the dispersing of payroll for those whom receive their salary via direct deposit. It's getting to the point of disillusion because Champion, a Republican, and Jeffco Commission President, Bettye Fine Collins, a Republican as well have been butting heads since last spring over funds. I swear there needs to be total, I MEAN TOTAL, overhaul of the Jefferson County government from elected officials such as treasury, sheriff, etc. to only being appointed by a county executive (whether it is county mayor, president, or executive) and approved by the Jefferson County legislative branch (whether it is a commission, board of legislators, council with at least 2 at-large elected seats). I'm dumbfounded at how ignorant these individuals are about their stances on fighting and effecting others payroll in the process. SMH

Things about the black religious fold to think about...

2010-10-14T21:38:00.003-05:00

Earlier this week, Gallup released a poll on the popularity of allowing openly homosexual or bisexual members of the armed forces to serve as well as the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and same-sex unions. The poll compares from 2008-2009 to 2010. Well, apparently "folk" ain't down with either when compared to other ethnic groups. ***SIGH***

Sometimes I just don't know what to say about why folk are so sanctimonious about LGBT/SGLs when there are plenty of other fires that need to be extinguished. One of the fires is the likelihood of contracting an STI, 1 in 22 black Americans are likely to contracted HIV. There are so many things going on, but folk want to hate on the LGBT/SGLs and them living their lives.

Surprisingly, black LGBT blogger Son of Baldwin wrote a lively list of likely reasoning behind the hypocritical and sanctimonious nature of folk when it comes down to it:

1. Religion. Black Americans (or maybe ALL Americans) are among the most superstitious people on the planet. They have taken what was once their slave masters' religion and used it to liberate themselves from the tyranny of antebellum slavery. However, we've yet to be ingenious enough to remove what is perhaps the inherent flaw in any organized religion: the need for an enemy. Religion simply cannot function without an Other to demonize. Throughout history, women, Pagans, Native Americans and blacks have found themselves the targets of religious terrorism. Gays are simply the latest in a long line of subjects who are held up as scapegoats onto whom all the sins and vices of the society can be poured. What makes black homophobia super egregious, however, is that having been the sacrificial lambs themselves, one would think that blacks would be more sympathetic to gay rights. Instead, like the whites before them who said, "I may be poor, but at least I'm not black," blacks find shelter and solace in "I may be black, but at least I'm not gay."
2. Envy, entitlement, indifference and practicality. On completely self-serving and emotional levels, blacks feel, quite simply, that since we don't yet have all the rights and privileges entitled to us (perhaps on paper, but certainly not in practice), gays shouldn't have theirs yet, either. In other words: Wait your turn! Blacks also feel that the right for gays to marry isn't as important as, say, the right not to be murdered in cold blood by police officers or the right to be able to properly feed and educate one's children or other immediate, tangible concerns. Apparently, everything is mutually exclusive when it comes to civil rights.
3. Racism in the gay community. To most black people, white gays are indistinguishable from the white, often affluent society that they perceive as oppressors. Unfortunately, the gay community has given blacks ample justification for this position. Thus, blacks are adamant about not supporting any cause that will give whites--gay or straight--greater license to oppress them. And gayness, in the minds of ignorant blacks, is most certainly a white thing.
4. Closeted black homosexuals. Since a great many black homosexuals are afraid to come out of the closet because of the rampant homophobia in black society (especially the black church), there are relatively few voices from within the community to combat the rhetoric and relatively few individuals to put a face on the specter. Therefore, the ignorance remains largely unassailable.

SMH! I have no words for the craziness

2010-10-14T20:39:00.001-05:00

There seems to be a coup amongst Southern rural white Democrat reps to down right sabotage any efforts to maintaining sanity in the region. Let me see, there is Bobby Bright in Alabama's 3rd congressional district trying his damnedest to make sure his gullible (predominately white) constituency that he is an "conservative independent, gun-totting, down-to-earth type of guy". Uh yeah, that'll work in the long, Bobby...

The curious case of déjà vu for Alabama's 5th congressional district (you know the place where current sitting representative Parker Griffith switched sides from Democrat to Republican because he felt it would help him get reelected), with their "Democratic" nominee (I used that term lightly), Steve Raby is basically playing from the same book of ambiguity as Griffith. This is just Alabama.

Meanwhile in Georgia, there is their 8th congressional district (middle Georgia around Macon), their sitting representative, Jim Marshall, saying he is a "conservative, gun-totting, fighting against Washington conservative". It seems like the same script, different cast all over the South with rural, white Democratic representatives. They seem to want to be associated with this culture of hokey bullshit (yeah, I went there), so they can go back and repeat the same thing they did before (nothing that I can see other than be a placeholder).

This is bull is the textbook reason why I don't fool with rural politics because it's all about being very hokey and WASPy along with be very vague on platform details other. The ad populum fallacy of this crap is they aren't progressing their constituents' interests nor are they being a leader at all rather jumping on the bandwagon of mediocrity.

I'm an independent, but have hardline stances that are represents social progression and fiscal responsibility. Meanwhile, other constituents in their respective districts that maybe socially moderate, progressive, liberal, or non-white are left in the dust and having their loyalties to taken advantage of because they have a "D" behind their name. This type of dysfunctional political behavior is the reason why most non-whites and socially progressive whites leave these areas. These so-called "independent" Democrats are Tagalogs of the southern, closed-minded culture that has retarded this portion of the country as a whole. My advice to them is position yourself as a social moderate and attempt to reach out and inspire the base to vote rather than chasing after the fickle and socially conservative whites, whom by default tend to vote for a Republican.

(Photos courtesy of Left in Alabama)

What did I miss?

2010-10-07T21:12:00.000-05:00

I guess back in the Greater Birmingham area, there has been the continual battle amongst Jefferson County Commissioners over the 2011 general budget. It's mostly been over whether or not they should allocate funds to open the Bessemer branch of county jail and paying the federally-appointed receiver a $1 million annual salary for the overseeing of the sewer debt. We also have to throw in the future of the existence of the occupational tax administered on all incomes generated from Jefferson County. Cruella de Ville, Jim Carns, and George Bowman voted to do neither, but sooner than later they will have to do these tasks...

Also suburban Bessemer voters has ousted two-term mayor Ed May from office on October 5th for Kenneth Gully. I guess the incident of firing the Bessemer city clerk the night before the election was the straw that broke the camel's back...

Meanwhile, the Alabama legislators and lobbyists that went down over stalling the regular session in the spring over the gambling bill vote has cause all the leadership and their sycophants of the ADP (the Alabama Democratic Party for outsiders) to call foul over the case. Many are claiming this is partisan and an "October Surprise" to ruin any chances of the idiot on the Democratic side of the gubernatorial ticket, Ron Sparks, of winning come November 2nd. (Oh hell, oh well. They brought that shit on themselves because those assholes in that damn party do right by Artur Davis then will continue to suffer from a bitch named "karma". In the words of Cadillac Kimberly, "They all need to hold hands and kiss his muthafuckin' ass..."

I'm just plain blank staring at this mess because it's just aggravating watching this mess occur here.

A homosexual member of New Birth speaks out...

2010-10-05T21:42:00.030-05:00

BET Videos

Well, I have to give it up to Samuel Brown and his partner coming out to admit they is in a homosexual relationship. I don't know how or why he decided to stay in that church for all those years, but more power to you.

After browsing a little bit of his blog, I can understand his logic of trying to make changes from within the institution.

UPDATE: However, I see how Rod McCullom want to make a backhanded insult and his sycophants want to call the man and his partner "church queens". SMH, some things changes and stays the same with them...

The Trifecta of Fuckery: Eddie Long edition

2010-09-23T11:41:00.002-05:00

WELL, WELL, WELL, WELL, WELL! THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST AND HAS CROWED 3 TIMES!

The messiness, foolishness, and sheer madness of this whole situation has brought me out of my work/career hiatus to post. (I hope to regularly post in general) Hypocrisy, homosexual behavior, and the black religious fold. This is PURE UNADULTERATED FUCKERY AT IT VERY BEST! Now where do I start.

I've been saying for years (pre-bloggging days) that foolishness ALWAYS finds it source. Well, Eddie Long has a history of being involved in anti-LGBT foolishness from helping campaign for Georgia to ban any same-sex unions or domestic partnership in 2004 to his silly ass march in the winter of 2005 in Atlanta against same-sex unions to his rabid homophobic ranting in a good chunk of his "sermons" (if you want to call it that). This man has been the walk body of the stereotype of homophobia in the black religious community. Yet his stupid ass brought himself down over lust for another man, the irony.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the 3 plaintiffs (whom names I won't repeat since they are already is there for the world to see on most sites, just Google it) have said basically the same thing, Eddie Long likes to be called "Daddy", took them on lavish trips around the world, introduced them to celebs (or "popular people" in my vernacular), slept in the same bed with him, and sexual acts including masturbation, oral sex were engaged.

Now I'm going to speak on some stuff I allegedly now in vague terms since this is an ongoing case. There are also allegations that Long has been doing this mess since the early 1990s when he first came popular in Atlanta and the black religious circles. Things of such involving such as him taking those boys to the Atlanta Hawks basketball games and etc.

Art Franklin, New Birth's spokesperson is a former Birmingham news anchor has allegations about about him and his sexuality too (especially considering the allegations surrounding his divorce). These are among some of the reasons why he allegedly left WBRC "FOX6" to go to Atlanta to work on his music and writing then later wind up at WBRC's former sister station, WAGA "FOX5" and now at New Birth as the spokesman.

All I'm going to say is this mess is destructive and revealing the bed of hypocrisy involving some black folks especially in the religious and church circles. That's why I've been giving most of them the side-eye for awhile now because it shows that folks need to leave the LGBTs alone like the racially bias need to leave people of color alone...

The aggregavation of housing...

2010-09-09T15:04:00.001-05:00

Some things I do wonder about the world we reside in such as housing. It seems to be the fabric of our communities since they offer shelter for all of us. However, that necessity seems to be seen as a luxury by many bureaucratic paper-pushers. In the case of the Metro Atlanta area, where nearly all the public housing developments have been demolished and replaces with high-end condominium development. On the surface, this looks as if it is a good thing since public housing seems to attract all the "undesirable" elements in our nation's society, but on deeper look reveals that many of these people have no where else to turn aside from being homeless. This within itself is disheartening because you have to evaluate the entire situation before casting a broad judgment on housing for low-income residents.

Since 2001, the Atlanta Housing Authority has practically eliminated all the public housing in Atlanta (gotta love gentrification and its side effects). Now suburban Marietta, in Cobb County, its housing authority is doing the same and hopes to shutter and demolish all public housing by 2012. The replacements for such developments were vouchers given to former residents so they could either get into senior housing for older residents or at-market rate private housing or apartments for others.

On the other hand, the realization that most of the vouchers only pay for only 65% of such living costs associated with housing puts these people in a tougher situation. Many people don't have the luxury of being able to afford private apartment, which most decent ones start at $600/month in rent in Metro Atlanta. The lack of affordable housing is seriously lacking nationwide, but particularly in the South. Ironically, most of those suffering from this dilemma are our fellow non-white citizens.

I know it's wonderful to see cities like Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans, Memphis, and other Southern cities move from their past images as low-income, crime-ridden places with projects everywhere. However, you should never go from one extreme to another where you are pricing out your own residents to appease a reluctant crowd of non-natives of the city to move there. It creates a new vacuum where you continuously force those whom need government assistance to another rough place. There needs to be some type of median place where we can create affordable housing and not go from one extreme to another.

On the road again....

2010-09-06T14:11:00.004-05:00

I guess it's time to blog about what is really good with me....

I'm now in Auburn trying to obtain my Masters of Community Planning and graduate minor in Economic Development. I've been trying to adjust to this really small urban area compared to that of the Greater Birmingham and Metro Atlanta. I'll try to include some of the happenings and debauchery that occurs in the Auburn-Opelika and Columbus areas. However, it is going to be an ADJUSTMENT because the area is clearly a fractured region where everything is at least 5 miles from anything. I consider this a "pit stop" along the journey of my life, so it will be interesting how I can blog about the Greater Birmingham area (Central Alabama), East Alabama, and Georgia (which I've been doing for awhile now). I can already tell it's going to be an interesting 2-3 years in this area. My heart is still in the major metropolitan areas, but my body is there.

Oh yeah, small rant. The Columbus (Georgia) television market sucks ass. I've never seen a market that needs to get its act together and I mean SERIOUSLY. Why is that ABC affiliate, WTVM also known as "WTVM, News Leader 9" (HORRIBLE BRAND NAME, BTW) is the only news operation in the market that actually airs regular newscasts all 7 days of the week? They also produce the lone nightly newscasts on WXTX "FOX 54", which is operated by WTVM via a shared-services agreement (legalese for co-ownership via a property trust or a front company). The Media General-owned CBS-affiliate, WRBL, "WRBL, News 3", used to be a strong competitor of WTVM, but due to the cheapness of Media General the station only airs 4 newscasts per day and 5 days a week (meaning no weekend newscasts). It is a shotty at best news operation with practically no on-air talent at all. It's quite embarrassing. The piped in news product of NBC-affiliate WLTZ, "WLTZ NBC 38" is so-so as they do try to make it look local, but like WRBL, it doesn't have air anything on the weekend and only have evening newscasts for 5 days a week. There is practically no CW affiliate (unless you get WLTZ digital sub-channel called "GA-BAMA CW"), thus me having to watch my Thursday night show, The Vampire Diaries, online. The sad and twisted irony is WTVM Raycom Media-owned sister station in the Montgomery market & NBC affiliate, WSFA, "WSFA 12" airs on Charter Auburn cable channel line up, which essentially means the market is fractured because WLTZ has no real pull on Lee County viewership. Anything I've learn about TV market designation is that there is 1 affiliate allowed in each market's local area and if there is a duplication amongst the major networks then it is a fractured market with weak stations. The Columbus (sometimes hyphenated with Opelika-Auburn, AL) market reminds me of most Southern TV markets in the 1990s, where there were only 4 full-powered TV stations and all the good syndicated old sitcoms that didn't put you to sleep wind up airing on the local FOX affiliate (which it does with WXTX) along with some other channels from other cities airing on the line-up in some of the key places outside the main urban area (Columbus metro area).

ON THE URBAN LANDSCAPE: The layout of the area is laughable. U.S 431 is practically a two-lane country road most of the area until you get to the core of Opelika. U.S 280 is a four-to-six-lane highway through the entire region and all the way to Birmingham as well as Columbus. 280 does come close to being an official freeway when it gets to the western periphery of the Columbus urban area in Russell County (Alabama) near Phenix City. However, the only real freeways in the entire region is I-85 and I-185. It's an area that lacks major freeway/throughway infrastructure serving the area population. I will give Auburn some points for its continuous usage of sideways and crosswalk signals around most major intersections within its corporate limits. The area also tends to lean towards a neighborhood retail center type of spread with some retailers like Winn-Dixie and Kroger locations. However, the area is poorly laid out as the main regional retail area surrounding The Village Mall is located on East University Drive, which a road that less that 2 miles to the south is in a residential area.

If one to compare Auburn to Opelika then you would know Opelika is the better planned one of the two. It is also more proactive in its economic development initiatives like the power center, TigerTown at US 280 & I-85 led by the Opelika Development Authority. However, its also a texbook example of urban sprawl and short-term, retail-oriented economic development rather than more sustainable white-collar and self-investing knowledge-based developments like pushing toward getting a more research center or entrepreneur incubator (since it's near Auburn University). Auburn seems to go more towards the latter mentioned since they recently opened the Auburn Research Park, which will have long-term economic development benefits for the region.

Columbus is just there. I mean I've been there a couple of times, but it doesn't seems like beyond the military base, Fort Benning, that there is much to its economy beyond that. The lack of direct freeway/throughway access is an impediment for accessibility to anyone. I-185 suck since it's a north-south directional freeway that only serves as a way for others on the Georgia side of the region to get to I-85 from Columbus and Fort Benning. There are the attempts by locals in Columbus to make the RiverCenter, the Riverwalk walk and bike path along & whitewater rafting in the Chattahoochee River, and the local theaters via "Broadway in Columbus" as a draw, but I'm unimpressed. The city just lacks the population base to pull anything major which I'm more accustomed to in North Alabama and North Georgia.

In general, I'm in an "it is what it is" mindset about this region. Lee County (Alabama) and Muscogee County (Georgia) are the main population centers, but they aren't very cooperated in their strategy to make the region more attractive or impressive to newcomers or outsiders. I'll just spend my time focusing on my studies and networking with those in the Auburn-Opelika area and look forward to transitioning to Georgia...

If we didn't already know, Joe Reed is a JACKASS!

2010-09-02T22:01:00.002-05:00

It just seems like that splaboo doesn't spare any clockwork when he proves to the entire world along with the entire the Alabama Democratic Party (ADP) that he is one. Instead of having some dignity and showing that he isn't a pompous egregious bigot about race (and sexuality), NO!!!! He had to prove that he likes to be all about race and direct representation of it.

In the curious case of the replacement of Kenya Lavender Marshall, a lawyer whom was suppose to be the Democratic nominee for the Jefferson County Circuit Court seat come November (since there is no Republican competition), whom wind up disqualified and disbarred for using clients funds for personal usage. The Alabama State Democratic Executive Committee had to appoint a replacement in time for the August 27th deadline, which is 45 days after the run-off. Meanwhile, where comes the mighty splaboo, Joe Reed, to sweep in with his usual brand of down-home splabuvian ignorance that has been recorded time and time again on this blog. Instead of appoint the runner-up in the Democratic race, Nicole Stills, the ASDEC (lead by that splaboo) appoints Elisabeth French, some random lawyer whom happens to be black, to the seat because Reed wants a black person to represent since a black woman won over a white woman (Stills).

If we have learned anything from all this crap is that playing racial politics in the South never bodes well for anybody especially progressives. Reed is so ignorant and pathetic because all this type of buffoonery is going to lead to is destruction. It's like Reed wakes up in the morning and says, "I wonder how in the world can I screw up the possibility of Alabama ever getting a decent black politician elected from a statewide office?"

I'm too through with this crap and the ADP because they gave him the keys to its destruction when they let his racially bigoted ass into the executive committee nearly 4 decades ago...

The only upside to this story is that the Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC) and the Birmingham chapter of the SCLC called out this foolishness.

I haven't blogged in 2 weeks

2010-08-18T21:34:00.000-05:00

I'm busy and will blog when I feel I have the time, so it is what it is. Go to some of the blogs on my list at the bottom of my home page. They will certainly provide you with similar point-of-views of my own. In the meanwhile, business needs to be taken care of so I'll keep you posted...

One year, and so...

2010-08-04T18:21:00.002-05:00

Now back to regular posting. Today on the other side of the Sunbelt, a federal judge repealed California's Proposition 8 that banned same-sex unions and such, so congrats to them (for now because you know THEY are going to repeal to the SCOTUS)...

It's another one of those cases where you have to give those in the Democratic establishment in Georgia the side-eye. This time it's Roy Barnes, whom deliberately avoided being seen near President Obama in Atlanta on Monday when he was there for Disabled Veterans organization speech and Democratic National Convention fundraiser (all in the same hotel, Hyatt Regency Atlanta in downtown). That's what I call a "nod and wink" stunt to the black Democrats, whom he went all out the way to court up until 3 weeks after he won the Democratic gubernatorial primary...

In the Greater Birmingham area, an young, black Democratic nominee for circuit judge position of Jefferson County, Kenya Lavender Marshall, might be disbarred by the Alabama State Bar for using clients compensation for personal use. UH OH, HOT DOG! That's has to be one of the DUMBEST things I've seen person do when they are running for a judicial position when it requires prudence and discernment to do the job...

Oh yeah, black Democratic Congress members Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters ought to be ashamed of themselves for being SO DAMN STUPID. I mean allegations of taking money and using it for their own personal usage and now both face ethics violations when they know they are up for reelection in 3 months. I don't care how progressive you too maybe on key social issues, you have to be DUMBEST DEMOCRATS in the current sitting Congress, plain and simple. Once again you see another Southern (white) Democrat pretending to be too busy worried what some rural (white) people will think of them rather than just showing their face for a few minutes with the president...PATHETIC!

LESSON TO ALL BLACK DEMOCRATS: DON'T GIVE OTHERS A REASON TO GET YOU WHEN YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT THEY WILL THOSE OUT THEM WANTING TO GET YOU! YOU WILL GET GOT!

On the Jefferson County issues...

2010-07-29T22:36:00.001-05:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah, former Jefferson County Commissioner Gary White is finally going to the chokey, but what does this mean to the constituency? I'm honestly wondering what type of outlook does this leave for the citizens of Jefferson County on the county governmental structure, particularly the elected representation...

All of the current sitting commissioners are going to be gone in November regardless of how the election turns out since the only one running for reelection (Bobby Humphryes) lost his primary about 4 weeks ago. It just seems to anti-climatic for the citizens to continue to see this status quo exist with the county government. Although they want to reintroduce merit raises for county employees, for now...

All I can say is, OH BROTHER!!!!

When will this sh*t end????

2010-07-29T22:29:00.001-05:00

This ongoing propaganda war that the racially aversive, predominately white, social conservatives are attempting to wage on those with conscientious lore of our society. Now there is a new twist to the tit for tat of the past 2 weeks, and this time it to place their aim at Shirley Sherrod's husband, civil rights activist, Charles Sherrod. Now this video from him speaking at the University of Virginia questioning if he is "racist" according to the aforementioned latter group in the first sentence. Let's not forget the proverbial question of how did Shirley Sherrod wind up working for the same organization that her family with others filed a class action lawsuit (and later won) against.

I'm beyond TIRED of this convoluted attempt to diverse the attention from what has been occurring in this nation for centuries and the institutionalized bias and impediments for non-whites for decades for economic empowerment or quality of life. They need to stop trying to beat a damn dead horse because it's getting to a point of absurdity as those whom seem to be reaching for ANYTHING to cling to yet refuse to address the elephant in the room, institutionalized racism...

GEEZ!!!

Ok, time for another lesson in race discussions...

2010-07-27T15:16:00.000-05:00

I'm honestly dumbfounded and disgusted by the inert actions of the folks in the White House (I vindicated Obama from this drama because of he would get implicated for playing favorites by the right and aversive racists) involving all this associated with race. I can't get my mind wrapped around the notion that so many of these predominately white male individuals in the White House will do anything to including warning Obama that if he touches this he will lose moderate, working-class whites. However, this discussion needs to occur, SERIOUSLY.

OK, last week Shirley Sherrod was thrown under the bus by the paranoid USDA secretary, Tim Vilscak, and then the NAACP went into panic mode as well. Then we can even go back to my personal rants on how black Democrats in Congress such as Michigan's own John Conyers throwing ACORN under the bus last year after the foolishness that was pedaled from those doctored footage. And let's not forget the Van Jones' castration of last December, where he was allowed to be tarred and featured by so-called liberals and black Democrats. I'm just frustrated by those latter two events as much if not more than the Sherrod situation because at least those with sense came to her defense.

The whole discussion of race, is a social concept created by white elites in this nation from the 1600s during the post-indentured servitude era of the Colonial America. This was a response to white elites making note of who often black and white former indentured servants were suffering from common afflictions of lack of access to economic improvement, so they used the all encompassing term "white" as one to describe anyone whom was of fair complexion regardless of ancestry. Also the usage of how fear of blacks being "savages" and "thieves" whom will do anything to get a one up on impoverish and working-class whites as a weapon to create a divide between the two groups. This still continues to this very day between impoverish and working-class black and white Americans.

Class is also thrown in as a weapon to impede the growth of both groups but race is also an extra trick to ensure the lack of access from anything will not be there for blacks at all. Ultimate, the two concepts are connected in many ways, but the discussion of how race is used as an extra spin on things is just icing on the cake. Race is an institutionalized affliction that impedes the empowerment of blacks as well as aforementioned groups of whites (along with other non-white groups), but the division amongst all is just disheartening.

This is where President Obama needs to come in and attempt to discuss this openly discuss this issue. Race along with the usage of class needs to be addressed to all. Many of the those within the "Angry White People Coalition" aren't impoverish or working-class rather clearly economically stable middle-to-upper class whites whom just seem to have a racial bone to pick with Obama. They are beyond hope and pointless to address in Obama's case. Whereas, those like the Spooners, whom affirmed Sherrod's story, are the ones whom should be reached by such discussion. They know that most non-whites aren't against them, but the way those like Andrew Breitbart, Tucker Carson, and the sycophancy of misinformation at FOX News will do anything to create such a wedge so there isn't any commonality between any groups...

Georgia happenings of the past week...

2010-07-25T15:12:00.001-05:00

Aside from my previous post that occurred in GA (involving Shirley Sherrod), there were other major events in the past week. On Tuesday, there were gubernatorial primaries for the Republican and Democratic parties along with U.S. Senatorial primaries for Democratic nominee challenging socially conservative incumbent Johnny Isakson. The Democratic gubernatorial race hands down was going to go to Roy Barnes since it was obvious to me along with anyone that knows politics that Barnes got the black establishment in Georgia along by 'essentially rubbing their bellies' with potent talk about "being a key ally". I don't have a dog in this fight, but Barnes isn't a progressive at all; on the other hand, it is obvious in most Southern states that most of the black establishment will throw that under the bus to keep themselves in good graces with whomever is going to lead their state Democratic party.

Also there for some of the congressional primaries in both parties for the practically all the seats except for the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 10th, and 11th districts. Incumbents in the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 10th, and 11th districts went uncontested within their parties. The open seats like the rapidly shifting 7th district, where there will be a battle royale in the fall since the district's population center, Gwinnett County, has recently become a non-white majority (courtesy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Meanwhile, Congressman Hank Johnson, of the 4th district was fighting long and hard against former DeKalb County CEO and beacon of racial controversy, Vernon Jones. However, the more prudent amongst the majority black district voters kept Jones out of the seat (thank God!).

Now on to the other stuff...

On Thursday, Atlanta mayor, Kasim Reed, along with newly appoint APD chief, George Turner, and the Atlanta City Council openly LGBT member, Alex Wan, APD assistant chief, P.N. Andresen, and newly appointed APD LGBT liaison, Patricia Powell, attempted to pacify the city's large LGBT community. According to the AJC, This meeting stems from the allegedly stake down that occurred in September 2009 at the Atlanta Eagle LGBT bar in midtown. Meanwhile, I think it is obvious that there are some forces at work within the APD that will continue to harass some of the LGBT fold in the ATL, but event just doesn't seem like much without any actions proving there will a change of regime. This is STILL the South, you guys should know and that Atlanta might be a major city, but there will always be those whom will show they don't approve of LGBTs within their ranks of the police force and in the city itself...

Oh yeah, another tit for tat...

2010-07-20T11:00:00.009-05:00

I guess since last Monday when the NAACP decided to rebuke the Angry White People Coalition, i.e. "the T.E.A. Party" for their growing racially bias forces amongst their ranks. Then the strike back by 'spokesmen" for the T.E.A. Party Express, Mark Williams, with this racist ass letter calling the NAACP an organization of "coloreds looking for a free ride". Also let's not forget the number of terrorist threats from certain individuals.

Now the shadow organization nearly always responsible for the divisiveness and derision in this nation, FOX News, decided to use a video of the now former director of rural development for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Shirley Sherrod, professing a 24-year-old story about her and white farmer from South Georgia. Yeah, FOX News decided to use that as their "tat" for the NAACP's "tit" at the faction that FN has been shilling for since its beginning...

Unfortunately, now Sherrod is the "whipping item" for the everyone right now. She has lost her job and has been rebuked by the same organization that she has been a made her speech. The NAACP is now trying to deflect the issue from themselves to keep it upon racial bias of the T.E.A. Party. Sherrod has addressed that only part of the story has been told by the FN and that she fixed her prior actions as well going above and beyond the call of duty to help the farmer. Of course, FN wants to go for the jugular and twist the story for their bias purposes. Even the farmer involved in this case denies the allegations of racial bias.

MORE BACK STORY INFO: There is apparently more to the story. Sherrod was a victim of the intolerance policy of the USDA, which occurred up until 1980s, lead to her and her husband lost their share of 6,000 acre farm owned along with other black farmers. According to Anita Rose, Sherrod's former legal representation in the class action federal suit that lead the reward of $13 million in restitution from racial discrimination from the USDA, Sherrod's father was murder as an adolescent by the KKK. None of the assailants were convicted of the crime.

This introduces a paradoxical view into what might be the reasoning behind Sherrod's perspective on race in our society and why she could hold pause in general as her formerly appointed federal position. It reveals that there is more to the story behind the discrimination involving race and class in westernized society.

Maybe just maybe, people will finally realize those like FOX News, corporate suits are attempting to uses weapons of divisiveness to beacon more acrimony in our society so they continue to rape us of our rights and privileges as US citizens...

UPDATE: Now the NAACP retracts their statement rebuking Ms. Sherrod, and CNN even interviews the white farming couple to prove the story has been fabricated by another socially conservative, ring-wing con artist. Yet, nobody at FOX News wants fully own up to the hack job ending the employment of Shirley Sherrod, even after the white farming couple owes their preservation of their farm to her. The question is WHO FORCED SHERROD OUT OF HER JOB AT THE USDA????

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Andrew Breitbart is now under federal investigation of defamation of character and could face prosecution along being made an example of "internet harassment".

OH YEAH, HERE IS THE FULL VIDEO OF THE SPEECH:

I swear sometimes I want to dropkick those idiots at NewsCorp for pedaling foolishness into the world...

So is Artur Davis a turncoat or just telling the truth????

2010-07-16T13:45:00.000-05:00

Well, in today's Mobile Press-Register, former Alabama gubernatorial Democratic nominee and outgoing Alabama's 7th congressional district representative, Artur Davis, spoken on the win of Tuesday's run-off, Alabama Democratic Party, and the general election in November.

Davis apparently praised Tuscaloosa dermatologist and Alabama Republican gubernatorial candidate, Robert Bentley, on his ability to overcome the intra-partisan politics of the Alabama Republican Party. He also remarked about the strength of his candidacy and respect for his campaign:

"Robert Bentley is one of the most decent, honorable people I know in politics. I have nothing but admiration for him," Davis said Thursday. "I believe he will be a very strong candidate."

"Over a year and a half and 20-something debates, you get to know each other pretty well," he said. "(Bentley) was always very authentic, consistent in his positions and knew as much about state government as anybody in the race. He is running a very impressive campaign."

Now me being objective, Bentley won because of the shadow campaigning by the Alabama Education Association (AEA). The same can be said about the candidacy of Ron Sparks as well. However, Davis is apparently admiring Bentley's consistency of his platform and the fact that he is going to be difficult candidate for Ron Sparks to beat in November. He also addressed Bentley's bipartisanship efforts as well. Davis did allege that Bentley wooed independent voters (which I doubt because AEA was coercing its members of all political affiliations to crossover and vote in the Tuesday run-off). Interestingly, at the end of the interview, Davis did point out how he didn't agree with Bentley on abortion, charter schools and other key policy issues.

On the other hand, Davis WENT IN on the Alabama Democratic Party (ADP) for their issues.

"The party is losing its way. We are losing ground in Alabama and we are losing it unnecessarily," he said. "We want to hide behind the excuse that the national party is unpopular right now but that's not what's causing it. The fact is we're seeing the complete domination of the party by a narrow group of insiders who are completely out of step with average Alabamians."

He didn't spare any moment not to make a huge swipe at Sparks and liberals in Alabama whom cause such damage:

"Ron Sparks was very much the candidate of activist, liberal Democratic voters. And the fact is that's a very small segment of the electorate in Alabama," he said. "That puts him very much at odds with the majority of Alabama voters, and that is a prescription for failure."

Davis has a valid point of addressing the issues where the ADP is controlled by Joe Turnham (whom has essentially said that any Democrat is running for statewide office should run right), the AEA duo of Paul Hubbert and Joe Reed, along with the special interests of Alabama Farmers Association (ALFA).

Now, I don't totally agree with him about his assessment of Sparks since there liberals were as supportive of his candidacy as whom have much to gain from electronic bingo and gambling like Milton McGregor. Nevertheless, he was right about how those on the "left" or "liberal" were attacking him on the health care reform vote. Their indignation towards him after pretty much supporting most of their interest was disingenuous and partially vindictive. It was also trifecta of the workings of Joe Reed & Co. getting revenge on Davis for usurping their established candidate, Earl Hilliard, Sr. in 2002.

All of this says to me that there is some twisted bullshit going on in Alabama amongst its Democrats and Davis' remarks on such things are a symptom of such affliction as Reed, Hubbert (whom is "stepping down" from the ADP), etc. It's evident that there more issues at work than even I could describe and progressives are left up shit creek without a paddle. Liberals are fucking up things for them then the ADP and its shadow orgs like AEA, ADC, etc. are too busy toiling up schemes to sabotage elections for progressive candidates whom doesn't kowtow to their interests.

FYI, AEA doesn't just involve themselves in the interest of education or educators, more or less they are an organization that works to control everything while letting the quality of education and facilities in urban districts like Birmingham, Montgomery, and Anniston falter as well as rural districts like the counties of the Black Belt. They should be using their power to vastly improve the conditions of such places to the level of the school districts in Hoover, Madison, Oxford, etc. around the state of Alabama.

Late Congrats to Terri Sewell!

2010-07-16T10:47:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Terri Sewell! You beat "the beast of Jeffco", Shelia Smoot, thus ending that self-serving fool's political career for now. Sewell's progressive platform, ground game of knocking on doors of houses, and warchest of $1 million+ from tenacious fund raising over the past year helped her win (even in Smoot's so-called "territory", Jefferson County by nearly 2,000 votes). I'm enthused that she overcome the foolishness that was projected at her from the Smoot camp and their brigade of shills.

Now on to November where Sewell needs to take down Republican competitor, Chamberlain, which shouldn't be that difficult considering this is a heavily Democrat-leaning district (the only in Alabama). Then she'll be Alabama's first black congresswoman!

Blind justice or inherent ignorance?

2010-07-09T15:00:00.000-05:00

I don't know what to make of the situation of the verdict of the Bay Area Rapid Transit officer that killed an unarmed black male, Oscar Grant, in January of 2009. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the verdict was "involuntary manslaughter" for former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle.

Although there were protests as a result of the verdict, according San Francisco Bay Area ABC owned-and-operated station KGO-TV "ABC7", the Oakland Police the protesters were mostly outside agitators attempting to take advantage of the situation. Regardless, if there are outside agitators or not the vast majority of the anger and aggravation associated with the verdict of the case is understandable. The looting and property damage/destruction isn't excusable at all, but a significant number of East Bay (of the San Francisco Bay Area) citizens are upset that this verdict doesn't fit the crime.

It also vexes me as an independent thinker and black male as to why would a jury after realizing that if there tables were turned that the verdict would have highly likely harsher. (In reference for those don't understand what I mean is if somebody was being apprehended by a police officer and the officer is accidentally killed in pursuit of the person).

The grasping of the conceptualization of why that the existence and lives of black American males is seen as the lowest of the low in the westernized world. This can also be applied to the lives of any non-white males. In particular, black males deal with the paranoia of everyone since we are seen as the "boogeymen" of society since there are higher incarceration and death rates.

Adam Serwer of American Prospect summed it up quite eloquently:

I want to focus for a moment on the distinction between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. To convict on the higher charge of voluntary manslaughter, the prosecution would have had to prove that Mehserle's fear of Grant and his friends was "unreasonable." It decided the crime was involuntary. In other words, Mehserle's fear? That was reasonable.
Fear is at the core of questions of justice involving the deaths of black people at the hands of the authorities in the United States of America, dating back to when Toussaint L'Overture put the fear of G-d in slaveowners by revealing that their "property" might someday rise up against them. L'Overture still has that effect on some people. Following emancipation were the days when "justice" was meted out in the South by terrorists posing as vigilantes. Even then, when such atrocities were an accepted part of black life, people inside and outside the South found ways to sympathize with the anger and fear white Southerners felt toward their black neighbors -- The New York Times editorialized in the 1890s that no "reputable or respectable negro" had ever been lynched.
Even decades after the civil-rights era, a cop shooting an unarmed black man is barely a crime -- a 2007 ColorLines investigation of police shootings in New York City found that in 12 instances when the victim was unarmed, only one officer was found criminally liable. There hasn't been a murder conviction on a police shooting in Oakland since 1983. As Kai Wright wrote in the aftermath of the Sean Bell verdict, "American law has been sanctioning the killing of black people to mollify white fear for centuries. ... We scare the shit out of America. And that fear excuses just about any reaction it spawns." Mehserle is profoundly unlucky to be punished at all.
Times change, but the radioactive fear of black people, black men in particular, has proved to have a longer half-life than any science could have discerned. This is not a fear white people possess of black people -- it is a fear all Americans possess. It makes white cops kill black cops, it makes black cops kill black men, and it whispers in the ears of white and nonwhite jurors alike that fear of an unarmed black man lying face down in the ground is not "unreasonable." All of which is to say, while it infects all of us, a few of us bear the brunt of the suffering it causes.

After all this "post-racial notions" of the election of Barack Obama there seems to be no end in sight to mollify the negative connotations associated with the black male. Instead, we still live in a society where there is more "reasonable" fear of our existence than anything else. Me being a generally non-temperament, usually varied dress, and friendly individual would still be accused of being "wild, temperamental, and aggressive" since I am black and a male. Sad, just plain, sad.

The only upside to this case is the U.S. Department of Justice is considering looking into this to see if the case was taken too lightly by California state officials. (courtesy of KGO-TV)

What's up with electronic bingo in Alabama?

2010-07-05T23:32:00.002-05:00

I mean honestly, what the hell is up with this? I mean it has turned into a biggest game of cluster fucking in my lifetime. It just seems like there is more political "gotcha" on the side of Alabama outgoing Republican governor Bob Riley's part than anything else. Now I'm not saying the proponents of such shroud are innocent either considering the likes of Milton McGregor along with a cornucopia of politicos that flat out deserve the side-eye whom is associated with these such interests. However, the true victims of this is the citizens who rely on the these establishments as forms of gainful employment in these economically horrible times.

Just Friday, Alabama House Rep. John Rogers of Birmingham wants to file a voters' rights complaint in the federal docket against Riley and the Alabama Supreme Court. According to the Tuscaloosa News, this is on the basis since the voters of the Greene County, Alabama, where the GreenTrack Race Course and gaming facility is located, ratified in 2003 an Alabama constitutional amendment allowing "electronic bingo" operations within their county's boundaries. This is conflicting with the Alabama law explicitly prohibiting gambling, but the state constitution has over 840 amendments and dates back to 1901. In other words, it is a convoluted, legally contradictorily document. Regardless, Alabama citizens allow this to continue to be their state charter because they feel that if anything changes then it will allow "special interests" and "lobbyists" to take over the operations of the state. REALITY CHECK: Special interest and lobbyists already run the state capitol in Montgomery.

The involvement of the Alabama Black Caucus doesn't really help the situation considering many of them are albatrosses on the necks of the those advocating the passage of the such pro-gambling legislation. (Anyone who reads my blog or follows me on Left in Alabama knows why the Alabama Black Caucus is a joke). The piss-poor attempt via a pro electronic bingo bill in this years regular session of the Alabama State Legislature came to a screeching halt following the federal probe in April. According to the Birmingham News, a number of state legislators from both the Alabama Senate and House where informed of the investigation, but given few details until the official questioning occurred. The bill died in the final days of the session left not voted upon by Alabama Senate in late May.

Economically speaking Alabama is more fucked probably more so than most other Southern states. Alabama's citizenry still does commute long distances to far-flung places for employment due to the lack of variety of jobs outside of the major urban areas. Its black citizenry is especially fucked because outside of the cities pretty much most of them live in the Black Belt, which is a very economically depressed region.

This is just a bizarre situation and reminiscent of why I'm so leaving this state because there are too many things wrong with this place and no enough intelligent individuals to push progress further here.

Another chapter in black politics (actually just social issues): THE BOONDOCKS

2010-07-02T14:44:00.001-05:00

Yeah, just by the way this post sounds somebody will read it and roll their eyes almost immediately. However, the Aaron McGruder-created series is quite realistic in a satirical and parodist manner about how society is. I've been a fan since the beginning, but isn't exactly a fan of the overt usage of the n-word though understand the context of its usage.

The Boondocks speaks upon many things that black and white Americans does in such a foolish manner yet doesn't realize how crazy it is from another perspective. In particular, the ongoing theme of the show's first 2 seasons were racial issues involving black and white Americans in suburban areas. You would have the already established white citizens living in that area then the influx of non-whites into the neighborhood with the sudden suspicion that there is "unwanted elements" arriving. Interestingly enough, those non-white formerly "new arrivals" become suspicious of more non-white new arrivals to that same neighborhood they were just looked down upon because of their difference in lifestyles. It's just a vicious circle, yet McGruder exploits this for the world to see in his now-defunct comic strip and current TV series.

McGruder ridicules the ostentation nature of intimacy involving interracial relationships such as the character "Tom", who epitomizes the idea of an "uncle tom". "Tom" has a white wife, who is wild for any good looking black male. The point of the satirical representation whom is "Tom" isn't interracial relationships itself rather the idea that being in one removes one from the issues involving race in our society. That's far from the fact because there are many situations where "Tom" would fall back into the web of issues associated with being black although he has an interracial familiar unit.

Another thing, McGruder exploits in particular in the second season of his series is hip-hop and its surrounding urban culture. He focuses on obsession with the hip-hop and urban culture by suburban whites. McGruder shows that although these youths listen to and attempt to imitate such cultural icons and quirks (although most are only figments of fantasy and exaggerated by the media), they don't suffer the consequences of their actions as would black when they exercise such behavior. He made quite clear that although these youths are truly aren't malevolent in intent with their actions, they can get away with these antics.

In addition, McGruder focus on the hypocrisy within the hip-hop on homosexual behavior. He points that out with a rapper in the series who denied to the very end that he wasn't engaging in homosexual behavior although it was proven time and time again. It goes to show that some will engage in such behavior and still live in denial. He also satirizes the foolishness of some rappers like 50 Cent, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, and such on the glorification of being shot various times and obtaining "street cred" from such incidents.

The current season of the TV series parodies the bandwagon effects of black Americans. He pointed out with the election of sitting president Barack Obama, many blacks felt that was a "game changer" in the state of race relations and the idea of "one of us" in the White House. However, the storyline revealed this to be far from the truth with the notion that 2 of the main characters were rejected access to the inauguration and following festivities. Another character, Huey, knew from the beginning this was far from the fact, but it was displayed that his ambivalence was "outsider behavior" and "treasonist" in nature by many black characters in the episode. Now this isn't saying that all black people have group mentality, but it is obvious that many exhibit such even in my past postings.

The most recent controversies the series has pointed out is the foolishness of now Viacom-owned BET. The BET network executives pushed to have the 2 episodes ("The Hunger Strike, "The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show") satirizing the network's poor representation of modern black culture. The parodies of the network was quite accurate since there is practically no news, public affairs, or informational programming in its line-up since Viacom acquisition in 1999.

The most recent stir-up is the recent episode "Pause", where McGruder satirize the plays of Tyler Perry and his "Madea" character, and consistent message of the works. He also exploited the alleged culture that exists behind the scenes with Tyler Perry's professional and personal life. This includes the exploit of Perry being a closeted homosexual who uses his religion and usage of Jesus to deflect the discussion of his personal life while furthering the allowance of homophobia amongst black religious circles. There are a number of works by Perry where he has ridiculed LGBTs, particularly black males in his plays and films. Especially while in character as "Madea" mentioned black LGBT males as "tambourine players", but the irony is "Madea" is black male dress in women's clothing also "drag" himself.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Perry apparently is furious with Turner Broadcasting, who owns the Cartoon Network and ironically parent company of TBS where he airs his 2 sitcoms. The execs at the network are now trying to coddle Perry to keep him from possibly pulling his shows off the TBS network. However, Perry knows other networks would give him the time or day with his corny ass shows though. Most critics (including myself) sees most works of Perry as examples of the sanctimonious nature of some black folks,

To sum it up, the Boondocks depicts the issues surrounding the black people and to certain extent society itself...

Birmingham city council's pattern of blaming the businesses instead the true problems

2010-06-30T10:32:00.002-05:00

One thing I have noticed about the Birmingham City Council regardless of whom is sitting on it, is its level of ineptitude of on problem finding and solving especially when it comes to night clubs and bars. First, in 2008, lead by then mayor Larry Langford, the Birmingham City Council pushed to have Banana Joe's night club closed via revocation of its liquor license after the shooting which led to the death of 21 year old by an underage teen. Last year, Langford urged the City Council to have Club Zen shuttered on Morris Avenue in downtown after a Bessemer resident stabbed a club patron there. Now on June 29th, the City Council moves to have the Continental ballroom and night club shuttered after allegations of complaints from police officers (not citizens) although there hasn't been any major incidents there in months.

It seems like to me that the Birmingham City Council is a pool of idiots more than they are a board of legislative representatives of the city. You don't blame the business owners for the problems of the patrons when it clearly an issue that is nearly impossible to totally prevent. You don't see in Atlanta governmental entities pushing to shutter every club or nightspot that has an incident occurs because they know that it is nearly impossible to remove that element from society only control it. However, Birmingham has a pattern of shooting itself in the foot economically while attempting to claim to improve along the way. NOT!!!!

My advice is you know there will ALWAYS be a "hood club" in every city, but the business owners of these establishments should realize what type of cliente they are catering to while attempting to keep the potential of criminal activity to a minimum.

On the other hand, this is the same entity that wants to vote fund $10,000 for the "Thunder on the Mountain" fireworks display over Red Mountain after the lead organizers said that is seeing a shortfall due to lack of sponsors. This all the while Birmingham is facing a major budgetary shortfall themselves guaranteeing a 30% pay cut for civil protection such as police and firefighters. SMH!

Links courtesy of the Birmingham News and al.com.

The South continues to be home of the most fat asses

2010-06-30T10:09:00.001-05:00

Not surprise to me, but the report issued by Trust for America's Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation depicted that the South is home to 9 of the 10 fattest states in the nation for adult obesity.

Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia are all in the top 8 depicted by the bright red color. The other 2 spots in the top 10 is South Carolina at 9th with North Carolina and Michigan tied for the 10th place. Georgia and Florida are the only Deep Southern states that lucked out this time around, but that may have much to do with the existence of Metro Atlanta for Georgia and the big 3 in Florida (South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Orlando). This is embarrassing considering this region is also home to the nation's highest number of black Americans, but on the flip side home to the highest level of abject poverty as well. It's like if you live in the South then you are already predisposed to be fat because of the lack of infrastructure conducive with mobility, economically or physically. The region has the lowest amount of public transit infrastructure availability and usage amongst the nation's major metropolitan areas. Let's not forget the lack of adequate health care services. Pathetic and scary.

Oh Jeff Sessions...

2010-06-30T09:50:00.000-05:00

You just had to prove to the world that you are an idiot, misanthrope, and bigot once again. You came up with these bizarre line of questions in the three-ring circus they call the "senatorial hearing" for the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court.

This is what Alabama has allowed to represent them in the U.S. Senate along with Richard Shelby. WTF???

Some things about to occur

2010-06-30T09:37:00.001-05:00

It irks me to no end to see Congress rejecting the extension of unemployment benefits for those who are trying to find another job in this abyssal recession/depression by a 261-155 margin.

As the debate over unemployment benefits continue in Washington, here are somethings that those Democrats and Republicans blocking the extension saying it "makes people lazy" should think about. One there are 1.7 million people who are looking for jobs for at least 6 months, but still no luck at all. This will increase to nearly 3 million people if this isn't extended. Second, these people are your constituents in primarily in swing states like Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Nevada, where jobs aren't as plentiful as in the past, but these people will vote against you because of your callousness. Third, the states that seem to be hurting the most are the reliably socially conservative states in the Deep South like Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, where unemployment is well over 10% of the employment rolls, but those idiots in DC like that over the top effeminate closet case Lindsey Graham, the racist Jeff Sessions, the demented one Jim DeMint, and greedy fool like Richard Shelby are from these states.

Michigan Senator Carl Levin in the Huffington Post said that the claims that it will add to the deficit "lame", but he summed it quite well about the problem:

"The problem that exists -- 20 years ago I took a USA Today reporter out to an employment office and he interviewed the people in line waiting for their checks and it was a wide diversity of people, and it was a front-page story," Levin said. "The problem I have and you have is there's no place you can go to talk to the unemployment. They get their checks through the Internet -- the money's sent to them. So it's hard to put a human face on this, but there are 1.7 million human faces, plus their families, so we're determined to find a way to humanize this."

The media's negligence towards displaying the faces of this unemployment problem which should allow everyone including the recalcitrants in DC, who live off our dollars but couldn't give a damn about the people.

The 2010 BET Awards

2010-06-28T11:33:00.005-05:00

I have to give it up to BET this year since they decided to give us some decency rather than usual fuckery. This year's award show was in Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium. First off, Chris Brown was able to finally give the well deserved tribute to Michael Jackson and was finally forgiven by the public. The moments of the night for me were Monica's duet with soul singer Deniece Williams of "Silly", which was sampled by Monica's current hit song "Everything to Me". The next moment was the Queen of Facial Expressions, Prince's mega side-eye towards Trey Songz as he failed at singing "Purple Rain" (as since above) in an unofficial tribute attempt. I was LAUGHING MY ASS OFF at this incident. Prince is A FOOL, but I would have been with him on the side-eye. The majority of his official tribute conducted by Janelle Monae, Alicia Keys, Esparanza Spaulding, and Patti LaBelle was pretty good.

Also there was a Teddy Pendergrass tribute lead by model/actor/singer, Tyrese, but it wasn't that good in my opinion... Then there is the foolishness of everybody on stage for the gospel number with the exception of Yolanda Adams. Aubrey "Drake" Graham and Nicki Meningitis bring 35,000 nobodies on stage from Young Money on stage with them when they each won their tokens from EBT, I mean BET.

Somebody needs to find a cure to that audio/visual disease known as Nicki Meningitis aka Nicki Minaj because that bitch has no talent at all...

To sum it up, it was better than the last 3 years BET Awards, but not to the level of the first 3. I guess happy 10th anniversary, BET Awards...

The continuation of Birmingham's population decline...

2010-06-22T21:42:00.002-05:00

Last week the U.S. Census Bureau released their last population estimates before they release the official figures (which are currently being compiled). However, Birmingham population still look as if it is in the ranks of the Rust Belt cities rather than the ones in the Sun Belt. Birmingham has declined by an additional 5% according to figures to 230,130 from 242,840 in 2000. This all due to the poor leadership and political baggage that seems to impede its growth seen in other fellow cities including majority black cities like Atlanta, Memphis, New Orleans (although it suffered a huge blow with Hurricane Katrina), and Washington. The only Southern city that has seen continual decline as Birmingham is Baltimore (and for similar reasons).

Meanwhile other fellow Sun Belt Southern major cities like Atlanta (climbed to 540,921), New Orleans (up to 354,850 after Hurricane Katrina's aftermath) Nashville (climbed to 605,473), Memphis (slipped to 676,540), Orlando (climbed to 235,860), Jacksonville (climbed to 813,518), South Florida: [Miami (climbed to 433,136), Fort Lauderdale (up to 184,892), West Palm Beach (up to 99,504)] , Tampa Bay Area: [Tampa (up to 343,890), St. Petersburg (slipped to 244,324)], Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex: [Dallas (jumped to 1,299,543), Fort Worth (climbed to 727,575)], Houston (jumped to 2,257,926), Austin (climbed to 759,673), San Antonio (up to 1,373,668), Oklahoma City (up to 560,332), Tulsa (balancing out at 389,625), Louisville (up to 566,503), Charlotte (jumped to 709,441), The Triangle: [Raleigh (jumped to 404,718), Durham (up to 229,136), Chapel Hill (up to 51,247)], The Piedmont Triad: [Greensboro (climbed to 225,061), Winston-Salem (climbed to 229,828), High Point (up to 101,618)], The Upstate: [Greenville (up to 61,782), Spartanburg (balanced out at 40,387), Anderson (up to 27,181)], Richmond (up to 204,451), The Hampton Roads: [Norfolk (balancing out at 233,333), Virginia Beach (balancing 433,575), Portsmouth (slipped to 99,321), Hampton (slipped to 144,236), Chesapeake (up to 222,455), Suffolk (up to 83,659),] The DMV (District-Maryland-Virginia): [Washington, D.C. (climbed to 599,657), Baltimore (slipped to 637,418)].

It's pathetic, but another fact of the Birmingham problem. The city is still losing more residents than gaining them to balance out or increase city population. At the rate it going, it will be a city that will wind up seeing a political coup in the next few years lead by yuppies and wealthy whites because there won't be enough black voters to keep the city the way it is politically. This is all meanwhile the suburban areas in the Greater Birmingham area gaining major population boosts at the expense of the city and the region as a whole. Birmingham is well on its way to becoming a Southern-version of Detroit, where everybody lives in the metropolitan area rather than the racially stratification city proper.

The Epic battle between Terri Sewell versus Shelia Smoot

2010-06-22T18:51:00.004-05:00

Well, the sides have been defined and it seems that the battle to claim the helm of the Democratic nomination for Alabama's 7th congressional district seat. Jefferson County commissioner and former WBRC "FOX6" consumer affairs reporter, Shelia Smoot, has made her amends to grab the endorsements of the black political interest group Alabama Democratic Caucus (ADC) aka "Joe Reed & Co." along with the Alabama Education Association (AEA) also co-headed by Reed and Paul Hubbard. According to the Birmingham News, Smoot also has received the endorsements from South Carolina congressman and Democratic House Whip James Clyburne along with Homeland Security chairman Bennie Thompson. Whereas, attorney and womens' rights activist Terri Sewell has lined up the endorsements from feminist interest group Emily's List, equal pay advocate Lily Ledbetter, Alabama black interest group New South Coalition (headed by Alabama State Senator Hank Saunders), and amount of unofficial support from labor unions.

The lines have been drawn who supports whom, but the real question is who's the better candidate for Congress? I can speak on this personally since I live in the district. It's Terri Sewell. She has clearly defined herself as a social progressive that stands on the right side of gay rights issues, women's rights, economic development, health care reform, equal pay for both genders, and financial reform. Meanwhile, Shelia Smoot has been mired with baggage like Erykah Badu's song "Bag Lady". Smoot has been on the Jefferson County Commission since 2002, and since then they have soared in bond debt from county-owed sewer system (and bond swaps administered by former county commission president Larry Langford), sued numerous times over personnel quips involving Smoot, and let's not forget when Jeffco couldn't even make payroll where Smoot along with the other commissioners with the exception of Bobby Humphryes refused to take a paycut.

I'm absolutely loving Sewell's haters like RedEye on her little double-dutch short bus blog (this is same fool whom I've had to shut down numerous times on Left in Alabama for being so damn irrational and illogical while debating ). I love this line:

"Sheila Smoot has street creds, which may be why she has so called "negative baggage". Anytime you are active in the community you will have favorable and unfavorable opinions."

First of all, it's "street cred", there is no "s" on "cred" (***EYE ROLL***), but I had to laugh at this fool because this person is another one of those retards that I talk about constantly suffering from delusions of misinformation and impropriety. How in the hell does she have "street creds" when all she has ever done is worked as a news station report and now a county commissioner that shows up at events so that her face is seen. REALITY CHECK: Smoot's going to be unemployed without a full-time job for the first time in 8 years after December and needs this gig in Congress as an income. She hasn't been that good of a commissioner considering she knew about state law that requires the posting of commission meetings minutes and county documents, but didn't even attempted to do it until the Birmingham News exposed her and the rest of the commission.

Then there is Smoot's shill on Left in Alabama, gradyw, whom was officially outed by one of the blog's moderators after constantly be relentlessly basing accusations about Sewell while blatantly omitting Smoot's baggage.

Yeah, it's pretty obvious along with that Sewell is the wiser choice since she isn't baggage ridden as Smoot. Then all one has to look at the endorsements of the Reed & Co. and AEA to make continue to second guess on Smoot's candidacy. I'm shaking my head at James Clyburne, but then yet doesn't he have his own state's Democratic party's foolishness to worry about? Also I don't care at all for the New South Coalition aka "Saunders & Co.", but if it will get Sewell elected over Smoot then so be it...

This is the guy holding the Democratic nomination for South Carolina's U.S. Senate seat?

2010-06-19T17:09:00.001-05:00

The information about that buffoon, Alvin Greene, keeps a coming. He has proven to me to be the dumbest, most bizarre, and apparently a reprehensible individual. The woman behind the allegations and case of Greene's felony obscenity charges, Camille McCoy, has spoken out in the past week to the Summerville Journal Scene newspaper in Summerville, South Carolina. Guess what, McCoy is a white woman...oh, how typical of an idiotic minded fool like Alvin Greene...UGH!

She had just sat down at one of the computer stations when an older black man, dressed as though he might be a repairman or custodian, sat down at the computer station next to her. She had noticed him when she had first entered the room, but had quickly forgotten about him as she concentrated on her work.

But then he started to become invasive — leaning toward her, talking close, trying to start conversations with her.
At first, Camille said she tried to politely ignore him. After all, the guy seemed more annoying than dangerous.
“To me, he seemed slow, “ she said. “He obviously wasn’t a student.”
Then he asked her if she liked football. When she offhandedly replied that she did, he told her to check out what was on his computer.
What was on his screen, however, was not football.
“It was porn – black on white pornography,” she said. “He scrolled through several pictures. I immediately told him that was offensive and he needed to leave. He laughed at me and said, ‘let’s go to your room.’”

WOW, WOW, WOW! Greene is obviously something else, but this is what the voters of the Democratic U.S. Senatorial primary voted for the nomination...

Then there is the interview from a former fellow servicemen who knew Greene while in the military with Gawker:

Could you tell me a bit about your time working with Greene?

During the first couple of weeks of working with him, myself and most everyone else noticed that he wasn't all there mentally. Whenever he was given a simple task such as filling a temporary hand receipt it would never get done, mainly because he didn't know how to fill one out. And this is the most fundamental part of the job.
He also didn't show much interest in being a soldier. For instance, he was asked to do maintenance on the M249. This system is a little more complex than the regular service rifle. When it came to Greene's turn he was able to take the weapon apart but didn't know where to start when it came to put it back together. He showed no interest in learning and would mumble under his breath about not wanting to do it. So after a couple of months of trying and not getting anywhere, people just made sure he was where he was supposed to be and in the correct uniform. He would just basically come to work and stare at the wall till it was time for lunch and then do the same till it was time to go home for the day. The platoon sergeant tried to get him to go see a doctor for help but he would never seek help.

There have also been questions about his mental state, and whether he is mentally fit to serve. Frankly, judging from his interviews he doesn't seem to be all there.

What you see in his interviews is what we had to deal with. People have been saying he acts that way because he is nervous, but it's not true. He has a difficult time communicating and really doesn't enjoy people asking him personal questions. I noticed when he mumbles incoherently it means he is agitated.
But I think he is a smart person. I asked him why he didn't go to Officers Candidate School since he has a bachelors degree [from the University of South Carolina] and he answered, "Why would I do that since that would require more work?" After he said that I realized what he was doing. He was being very lazy and working the system to get by. Even though it's obvious that he suffers from some kind of mental illness, I have worked with people that suffer from alcoholism to bipolarism and they would put more effort into what they did during their day to day life then he ever did.

This guy is an IDIOT, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. However, it gets even better with the CNN Newsroom interview with Don Lemon from last week. Even Don Lemon felt this interview was bizarre:

Honestly, I don't know what the fuck went on there, and the fact that the South Carolina Democratic Party wants him to repeal from the ballot says a lot about the constituency. This is idiocy at its very worst, yet some of the dumbass posters on Jack & Jill Politics have the audicity to want to support and find this dumbass "inspiring" because he has a "D" behind his name. Uh yeah, this is just another reason why I'm an independent because some Democratic bloggers have proven they have juju beads for brains...

Another curious case of irrationality involving Democrats, but this time in South Carolina

2010-06-10T11:59:00.002-05:00

Normally, I wouldn't even say anything about the South Carolina unless it's just ubber-partisan or socially foolish since it is South Carolina (home to no real large Southern metro and the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson region doesn't count). Anyways, apparently on Tuesday the state Democratic voters have shown why there isn't any Democrats or progressives on the ballot to challenge seating U.S. Senate Jim "Demented" DeMint (google the son-of-bitch and see why I call him "demented").

The Democratic senatorial primary had to 2 candidates one a former justice and state legislator Vic Rawls and the other was an unemployed, military veteran, who lives at home with his parents, Alvin Greene. Now I don't crap on vets, but this one is a doozy. According to the Associated Press and the Hill, Greene has a pending conviction of felony involving obscene acts involving showing unwarranted displays of his penis towards a University of South Carolina female student and attempting to come to her dormitory residence. (UGH!). This Greene guy is a piece of work, but the idiocy amongst a number of Democratic voters on Tuesday like last week in Alabama is AMAZING. Now the South Carolina Democratic Party is trying get Greene to step down, but he refuses quoting this statement from NPR and the Associated Press:

"The Democratic Party has chosen their nominee, and we have to stand behind their choice," Greene told the AP at his home in Manning. "The people have spoken. We need to be pro-South Carolina, not anti-Greene."

This foolishness has generated some major issues for the South Carolina Democratic Party as well as the DNC. According to The Hill, U.S. House Whip and South Carolina Democratic Congressman James Clyburn said that "there is some shenanigans going on" and wants the U.S. attorney for South Carolina's Midlands district to investigate this. Clyburne thinks Greene is a "plant".

"I think there's some federal laws being violated in this race, but I think some shenanigans are going on in South Carolina," Clyburn explained. "Somebody gave him that $10,000 and he who took it should be investigated, and he who gave it should be investigated."

This is all because how can somebody unemployed come up with $10,000. I would like to know because shit I could a cool $10,000 right now...

Oh yeah, Greene didn't even campaign or anything yet won 100,000 votes beating seasoned politicians who spent over $100,000 on the campaign by 59% margin. Yeah, Democrats you guys are setting a precedent, but it's not well thought out one that will cost you an election in a time when Jim "Demented" DeMint is at his weakest. Oh well, more proof that the Democratic party is a big ol' tent, but a number of them are idiots and fools...

Rationale wins over idealism in Arkansas senate race

2010-06-09T02:13:00.004-05:00

Rationale wins out this time in Arkansas with Blanche Lincoln securing her spot as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race in November in Tuesday's run-off against Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter. However, her Republican opponent has already had a 3 week headstart on her in the race after winning his race outright on May 18th. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Lincoln beat Halter by a 52-48 margin in the run-off.

Meanwhile, a number of whiners including Rod McCullom of Rod 2.0, gawking at Lincoln as "conservative Democrat" along with her vote against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in 2008. Reality check, she is a moderate meaning she will vote progressive sometimes but not all the time.

As I refuted in March, rationale is what the majority of Democrats have to use to maintain power and push foward with a progressive agenda. Expecting an overnight takeover and change of direction of Congress. Rome wasn't built in a day. Otherwise, electing a liberal group-supported candidate would have guaranteed a loss for in November. Anybody with an inkling of political knowledge could have seen the Republicans using Halter's win via outside influence as a clear liability and tag to paint him as a 'liberal'. Lincoln isn't perfect. As a matter of fact, Lincoln has a lack of discernment on a number of economic and fiscal issues, but she at least has shown her ability to rationalize a moderate to progressive stance on social issues such as hate crimes legislation in these crucial times.

That's the reality of things, you have to work with those who show willingness to support you instead of attempting to be vindictive. As I've said time and time again, vindictiveness isn't going to win an election.

Well, Obama agrees with me

2010-06-08T17:15:00.002-05:00

Oh well to Peanuthead aka James Carville, his wife, and them...

SHRUG, another chapter in black politics

2010-06-05T16:18:00.002-05:00

Well in the case of Alabama, polls have closed and it has been reaffirmed to me and others that something is inherently wrong with the political landscape. I've relentlessly time and time again made it known that even as early as last fall that Artur Davis was damned if he did and damned if he didn't, but he didn't give himself much slack when decided to stay in Congress long after "jumping the shark" with getting President Barack Obama elected to office.

But this post isn't about Artur Davis so as it is about how schadenfreudean individuals across the internet and nationwide are gleeful at Davis' loss Tuesday. His interpolation of progressive and moderate political stances did confuse many, aggravate some, and infuriated a few. However, Roland Martin's pious interpretation of Davis' lack of attention to black media outlets like his show on TV One, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, or Joe Madison's Sirius/XM radio show as "arrogant as hell". Roland Martin himself is an arrogant and homophobic, so he doesn't have room to even talk about anybody considering his grandiose delusion of being the "sociopolitical voice of the black community". To other idiots like Rod McCollum proving yet again he doesn't know shit about Alabama other than what others tell him, where he dedicates an entire post to rehashing the same tired mantra and half-truths about Davis while giving his sycophants an attempt rejoice at Alabama's loss of its only real progressive gubernatorial candidates for sometime to come. Finally, the duplicity of Jack & Jill Politics poster "rikyhah" proves that it doesn't know shit either when it comes to Alabama politics. Alabama black folks didn't vote against him because of his lack "loyalty" rather the fact that there was a rather low turnout and most (like myself) where ambivalent about the whole race in general because the Alabama Democratic party operates. NOTE TO THEM: Numbers, facts, and knowledge of the area's local media outlets are your friends not The New York Times, Politico, or The Huffington Post when it comes to having the incite to make an informed comment about anything.

Davis along with his campaign miscalculated the willingness of the moderate to progressive voting base within Alabama to go to the polls. This is symptomatic of the Alabama Democratic Party (ADP) lack of fortitude to move from being a post-Dixiecrat state party with black tokens to a modern Democratic National Convention state op where it's a big tent and a multitude of interest and individuals. I've regurgitated over and over again a number of times why in this state it's so hap-hazardous for a southern state to allow black politicos to be elected to public office. Interesting, Josh Goodman of Governing magazine who summed it up quite accurately, "AL-Governor: Did the Voting Rights Act Doom Artur Davis?" , where he talked about how detrimental minority-majority districts have and can be for black politicians running for statewide offices in the South. However, the barons of ignorance like Joe Reed & Co. aka "Alabama Democratic Coalition" and Hank Sanders and the Alabama New South Coalition are all against the removal of gerrymandered minority-majority districts where guarantees of black politicos are elected. This does more of a disservice to those black voters in the long run than anything else since allows stalwarts of status quo want to maintain the racially pure mindset of politicians.

Kyle Whitmire summed it up in his commentary this past weekend on the site Second Front:

Sometimes you’re dealt a loser, and there’s no surviving no matter which cards you throw away and which ones you keep.

FYI, I don't care if Alabama and Mississippi are home to the most elected black politicians in their state legislatures in reference to their states' black population composition especially when it comes down to the fact in the case of Alabama nothing has essentially changed since the 1970s. The next chapter will be about direct versus substantial representation, and why the curious case of Congressman Steven Cohen of Tennessee (D-Memphis) is probably going to be the best thing that ever happened to TN-09 congressional district. Future chapters will be about black LGBT/SGLs and the relentlessly sanctimonious black community on progressive social issues along with a discussion on why The Boondocks exposes how stupid and retarded some black folks will carry on about anything.

Some black folks have brought this shit on themselves and it's about time somebody exposes it for what it is, fuckery. Now I know why some black folks will run to the oddest places in the world just to escape the "black community", and these folks are probably most afrocentric individuals you would ever meet.