Congressional Black Caucus Asks Louisiana Gov. To Pardon Bell, Jena 6

Well who would expect anything different from Gov. Blanco. You see, Blanco quickly finds cover by having her spokeswoman say that the governor is unable to grant pardons without a recommendation from the Louisiana Pardon Board.

Read more:

New Orleans, LA (AHN) -- Fifteen lawmakers from the Congressional Black Caucus have asked Gov. Kathleen Blanco for clemency on behalf of Mychal Bell and five other black teens dubbed the "Jena 6."

"We believe Mychal Bell and the Jena 6 have paid a sufficient debt to society for any transgressions they may have committed," Lee wrote in her letter on Wednesday. "The pardon power was regarded by the Founding Fathers as the 'power of grace' because of its capacity to bring about healing and reconciliation. That is what is sorely needed in Jena today."

Blanco's spokeswoman, Marie Centanni, is quoted by the Associated Press as saying that the governor is unable to grant pardons without a recommendation from the Louisiana Pardon Board.

A similar request made by the caucus to Blanco in September was received with a statement from Blanco's office saying the governor can only grant pardons after a person has been convicted and sentenced. More HERE

Black City Council Members Shut Down West Memphis Gov't - Hold Police Accountable

Now this is what I'm talking about when I think of black folks coming together to use their political power. Shut Down the City Government! Let's hope this show of political will makes things happen. My good brother, Villager, at Electronic Villager has been following this story of good versus evil. His post reports on how the fallout from the killing of 12-year old DeAunta Farrow continues to mount in West Memphis, AR. Sgt. Erik Sammis resigned his job on the police force four months after he shot the innocent youth [video report]. Francis Holland and the Police Brutality Blog has also been following The Killing of Deaunta Farrow.
Read more of his post and how the Killer Cop Resigns While City Council Boycotts.

Source: WREG TV

The folks at WREG TV have also been following this case and have provided great coverage of the case. Here more here and below. don't forget to send any comments you have on the WREG coverage to: shaun.chaiyabhat@wreg.com



DeAunta Farrow

Is the police shooting of 12 year-old DeAunta Farrow the reason several seats at West Memphis City Hall were empty Thursday? Every black council member was a no-show at a regular meeting of the city council, and some say it was no accident.

There's talk of a boycott to force the resignation of the city's police chief after one of his officer's killed Farrow. The officer was cleared of any wrongdoing, but that hasn't stopped calls for the badge of the city's top cop. Now a threat of a boycott to bring city business to a standstill.

Mayor William Johnson says, "I've been in office nine years and this is the first time that we've had to cancel a council meeting because of a lack of a quorum."

It may be coincidence that every black city council member was a no-show, but operation HELP says it played a role.

"We asked our councilmembers not to participate because of the indifference and the insensitivity of the African American community from the Mayor," says Hubert Bass with Operation HELP. "And whatever other reasons that the council felt that they should not participate, that's on them. But we believe that they responded to us."

Other council members were shocked, and some think a boycott may be underway. Thursday's meeting was supposed to cover passage of a city budget as well as possible discussion of pay raises for council members. More HERE

AAPP: What do you think? Should the black city council members shut down a city, in order to get a police commissioner to resign?

Visit: African American Opinion Video Channel

New Orleans SWAT TeamHold Angry Residents Back in New Orleans

SWAT Team, Tasers, clubs and Pepper Spray used on Residents angry about loss of public Housing, as Council members laugh and sip water

Here is a great article about what is going on in New Orleans. It Talks about how the now majority white New Orleans city council OKs demolition of public housing while Council members - some sipping water, others leafing through file folders - looked on impassively as a man was tasered, handcuffed and dragged from the city Council Chambers.

After protesters skirmished with police inside and outside the New Orleans City Hall, the City Council voted unanimously to approve a federal plan to demolish a vast swath of public housing.

New Orleans city council OKs demolition of public housing amid massive protests

Source: Charleston Daily Mail New Orleans police attempt to restrain a man outside city hall prior to a council vote approving a plan to demolish a large number of public housing units. ..

The fate of the 4,500 units has become a symbolic flashpoint as this city struggles to piece itself back together after Hurricane Katrina damaged more than 134,000 homes, many of them in poor, mostly black neighborhoods. Tents line the Interstate 10 underpass here, and a homeless camp has settled outside City Hall.

Even before the seven council members took their seats for the public meeting, protesters were booing and pumping their fists.

"Why y'all standing behind the curtains?" called out a female protester to council members who waited at the back of the city chambers for protesters to calm down. "This ain't no stage show! Get out from behind those curtains and tell us why you want to demolish our homes."

The hearing was, in many ways, political theater. Protesters, who complained that many residents had been locked out of the packed public meeting, fought with the police almost immediately.

Council members - some sipping water, others leafing through file folders - looked on impassively as a man was tasered, handcuffed and dragged from the chambers.

Outside, as dozens of protesters attempted to force their way through iron gates to get into the chambers, they clashed with police, who used pepper spray and stun guns on them. One woman was taken away on a stretcher after being sprayed.

Inside, once convened, the meeting was conducted in an orderly fashion - with a SWAT team standing between the council and residents, lawyers, developers, preachers, rappers and sociologists who had come to voice their opinions on the city's public housing.

The six-hour proceeding was briefly disrupted when what appeared to be rain water began dripping from the ceiling.

"We're having problems with water coming in," said Arnie Fielkow, president of the council.

"Tear the building down," shouted one activist, unsympathetic about the leak in the chambers. "Yeah, get HUD to fix it," another chipped in.

Rags were carried in to sop up the growing puddle of water that converged around Clerk Peggy Lewis.

The razing of public housing projects, part of a nationwide move away from public housing and toward mixed-income projects, has been particularly contentious in New Orleans. Activists and historic preservationists have criticized the government's proposal to raze the city's biggest complexes at a time when low-income housing is in short supply. More HERE

So what do you think about what is going on in New Orleans? Should the City Council and Mayor be deciding the fate of low income people in New Orleans? Or should low-icome people of New Orleans be deciding their own fate? oops... I forgot, that is not how it works in American Democracy, the poor have no voice.

Bloggers' Roundtable: Blacks Targets of Nuisance Laws?

Here is another bloggers' roundtable with some great afrospear bloggers. The topic this week are blacks targets of nuisance laws?

Listen Now [14 min 6 sec]

News & Notes, December 19, 2007 · This week, a new poll finds growing tensions among Hispanics, Asians and African Americans. Plus, in Philadelphia, blacks say they are often the target of suburban nuisance laws.

Bloggers included Wayne Bennett of The Field Negro, Richard Graves of DJ Black Adam, and Carmen Van Kerckhove of a Racialicious.

This is a great program! Lively!

Bloggers' Roundtable: Oprah's Obama Tour

Here is another great Bloggers Roundtable at NPR

Listen Now [17 min 17 sec]

Paul J. Richards

This Bloggers Roundtable talked about Sen. Barack Obama and the support he is getting from Oprah. See photo above AFP/Getty Images

News & Notes, December 10, 2007 · The panel of bloggers debated Oprah Winfrey's weekend campaign appearances on behalf of Sen. Barack Obama. It also talked abut NFL star Michael Vick who was sentenced to 23 months in jail for his role in operating a dogfighting ring.

NPR's Tony Cox is joined by Eric Brown of Detroit News Online, John McCann of Book of John, and Liza Sabater of Culture Kitchen.

Hillary creates Web sites to paint Obama as "cowardly."

File this under: I will be President of the United States I don't care who I have to smear to get there. For Hillary this Includes any black man that would even have the audacity to run for President against her and her so called black husband. H/T Carolyn Kay at the blog Make them Accountable



AAPP: Check this out. ABC reports the Clinton campaign intends to use these new Web sites to paint Obama as cowardly.

Hillary Clinton has launched Obama Attack Web Sites

The folks at ABC News has learned that the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has registered the names of two Web sites with the express goal of attacking her chief rival, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. It's the first time this election cycle a presidential campaign has launched a Web site with the express purpose of of launching serious criticisms on a rival.

It's the first time this election cycle a presidential campaign has launched a Web site with the express purpose of of launching serious criticisms on a rival.

Votingpresent.com and Votingpresent.org are domains hosted by the same IP address as official Clinton Web sites, such TheHillaryIKnow.com, which was launched with much fanfare this week.

The Clinton campaign intends to use these new Web sites to paint Obama as cowardly. Like a black minstrel or Steppin Fetchit character. You know how many folk like to consider most black men as minstrel characters, no matter how old we get or what level of education we achieve.

This strategy will not work! It will backfire. I guess Hillary wants to show Obama as a servile, shiftless, simple-minded black man like the early of the 20th Century American film industry did with most black men. I guess she wants to deny Obama's status by pretending he is unintelligent coward so she can fulfill the low expectations of some whites and blacks about a black man going into SuperTuesday.

Hopefully black bloggers like Rikyrah at Jack and Jill Politics and others will make sure it backfires. The only coward in the Democratic field is Hillary for supporting the War in Iraq, and not admitting she was wrong!

White Against Black in New Orleans - Black Residents Fight White City Council

Learn how whites and blacks united against white racism

Get the latest video's on America's Worst Housing Crisis
Learn why a white city council may have voted against black people

Housing Protesters Clash With NO Cops
Battered No Oks Razing Public Housing

The Gentrification of New Orleans
Watch the Video's

A cloud of pepper spray floats over protesters as New Orleans

The New Orleans Housing Crisis




More HERE

Jamie Lynn Spears

Big Sister





Little Sister











Are you really Surprised?

New Orleans Demonstration Video

Protesters at City Hall are tasered and pepper sprayed - The New Orleans City Council was meeting to vote on the HANO demolition requests Thursday afternoon. Outisde the building, protesters gathered at a metal gate, which they eventually breached. The video (below), local police pepper spray and taser those protesters. See video. More HERE

Read More on the New Orleans Housing Crisis HERE

The NAACP contradiction

The NAACP has now become the biggest contradiction in American civil rights history. On one hand the Georgia NAACP wants to sue mortgage lenders while on the other hand NAACP leaders like the in Stamford, CT want to sell themselves and our communities out for a job.
When are we ever going to holds black folks accountable?

Am I wrong?

The Great Debaters

Are black bloggers this centuries new great debaters?

Black Internet Activism and Memorandum 46

Damn, for you Jimmy Carter supporters. Here is what he and/or his administration thought about black folk when he was President. Seems he and his administration were really concerned with a possibility of a joint action by U.S. Black and African Nationalist Movements. this is a must read for those of you who have never read this document. H/T The Final Call.

Here is something interesting to think about. We had to watch out for movement spy's back in the day, one must wonder what type of George Bush "homeland security" type of internet movement spy's are working within the black internet activism movement today? What do you think?

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM-46

MARCH 17, 1978

Presidential Review Memorandum NSCM/46
TO: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Director of Central Intelligence

SUBJECT: Black Africa and the U.S. Black Movement

The President has directed that a comprehensive review be made of current developments in Black Africa from the point of view of their possible impacts on the black movement in the United States. The review should consider:

1. Long-term tendencies of social and political developments and the degree to which they are consistent with or contradict the U.S. interests.

2. Proposals for durable contacts between radical African leaders and leftist leaders of the U.S. black community.

3. Appropriate steps to be taken inside and outside the country in order to inhibit any pressure by radical African leaders and organizations on the U.S. black community for the latter to exert influence on the policy of the Administration toward Africa.

The President has directed that the NSC Interdepartmental Group for Africa perform this review. The review should be forwarded to the NSC Political Analysis Committee by April 20.

(signed)

Zbigniew Brezinski

cc: The Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of Commerce
The Attorney General
The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
INTERDEPARTMENTAL GROUP
FOR AFRICA

STUDY RESPONSE TO PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY
REVIEW MEMORANDUM NSC-46
BLACK AFRICA AND THE
U.S. BLACK MOVEMENT

Objective of our policy toward Black Africa is to prevent social upheavals which could radically change the political situation throughout the area. The success or failure of our policy in the region depends on the solution international
and internal issues whose importance of the United States is on the increase.

II. A. U.S. INTERESTS IN BLACK AFRICA

A multiplicity of interests influences the U.S. attitude toward black Africa. The most important of these interests can be summarized as follows:

1. POLITICAL
If black African states assume attitudes hostile to the U.S. national interest, our policy toward the white regimes; which is a key element in our relations with the black states, may be subjected by the latter to great pressure for fundamental change. Thus the West may face a real danger of being deprived of access to the enormous raw material resources of southern Africa which are viral for our defense needs as well as losing control over the Cape sea routes by which approximately 65% of Middle Eastern oil is supplied to Western Europe.

Moreover, such a development may bring about internal political difficulties by intensifying the activity of the black movement in the United States itself.

It should also be borne in mind that black Africa is an integral part of a continent where tribal and regional discord, economic backwardness, inadequate infrastructures, drought, and famine, are constant features of the scene. In conjunction with the artificial borders imposed by the former colonial powers, guerilla warfare in Rhodesia and widespread indignation against apartheid in South Africa, the above factors provide the communist states with ample opportunities for furthering their aims. This must necessarily redound to the detriment of U.S. political interests.

2. ECONOMIC
Black Africa is increasingly becoming an outlet for U.S. exports and investment. The mineral resources of the area continue to be of great value for the normal functioning of industry in the United States and allied countries. In 1977, U.S. direct investment in black Africa totaled about $1.8 billion and exports $2.2 billion. New prospect of substantial profits would continue to develop in the countries concerned.

IV. BLACK AFRICA AND THE U.S. BLACK MOVEMENT

Apart from the above-mentioned factors adverse to U.S. strategic interests, the nationalist liberation movement in black Africa can act as a catalyst with far reaching effects on the American black community by stimulating its organizational consolidation and by inducing radical actions. Such a result would be likely as Zaire went the way of Angola and Mozambique.

An occurrence of the events of 1967-68 would do grievous harm to U.S. prestige, especially in view of the concern of the present Administration with human rights issues. Moreover, the Administration would have to take specific steps to stabilize the situation. Such steps might be misunderstood both inside and outside the United States.

In order to prevent such a trend and protect U.S. national security interests, it would appear essential to elaborate and carry out effective countermeasures. 1. Possibility of Joint Action By U.S. Black and African Nationalist Movement.

More HERE

Catch 22 for Black Voters - Do we need our own Political Party?

Why do black folks still vote for the Democrats when they continue to approve Iraq Funds?
Black voters have never supported Bush's war on Iraq war.The fact of the matter is black folks are turning away from militaryin record numbers.

But at this point we have limited options. Vote Democrat or vote Republican. We all know where the Republicans stand. The democrats stick it to us, and the Republicans stick it to us.

Now they stuck it to us again. Yes another spending bill retreat for Democrats who vowed to withhold funds without withdrawal timelines.

At least my hometown Senator, took a position: "When is enough enough?" asked Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), who supported an amendment that would have required troop withdrawal from Iraq and a cutoff of combat funds within nine months. "I urge my colleagues to vote against this gigantic blank check."

We are in a catch 22. Now what should we do? Start our own independent black political party?

Tuesday Rewind: Two Pictures

What is the difference in these two pictures?

Picture 1 - "You hateful bastards" - Post card of whites celebrating the torture and lynching a black man to death





Picture 2 - "Don't Kill Me, please don't kill me - " Video of whites and blacks celebrating the torture and tasering a black man to death.

Visit the Blog Tasered While Black

Rich Bastards and Bitches

Are you offended?

Well you should be more offended at this: A Congressional Budget Office shows the top 10 percent, top 1 percent and fractions of the top 1 percent enjoyed their greatest share of income since 1928 and 1929.

The increase in incomes of the top 1 percent of Americans from 2003 to 2005 exceeded the total income of the poorest 20 percent of Americans, data in a new report by the Congressional Budget Office shows.

The poorest fifth of households had total income of $383.4 billion in 2005, while just the increase in income for the top 1 percent came to $524.8 billion, a figure 37 percent higher.

The total income of the top 1.1 million households was $1.8 trillion, or 18.1 percent of the total income of all Americans, up from 14.3 percent of all income in 2003. The total 2005 income of the three million individual Americans at the top was roughly equal to that of the bottom 166 million Americans, analysis of the report showed.

The report is the latest to document the growing concentration of income at the top, a trend that President Bush said last January had been under way for more than 25 years.

Earlier reports, based on tax returns, showed that in 2005 the top 10 percent, top 1 percent and fractions of the top 1 percent enjoyed their greatest share of income since 1928 and 1929. More Here

How offended are you now?

Bob Kerrey on Obama - Fear This man he is one of them

Bob Kerrey - Playing to the Fears of White Voters

Bob Kerrey. the former renegade Nebraskan U.S. Senator, may be president of the New School in New York City but he sure is stupid and ignorant when it comes to black folks. But he sure knows how to play on the fears of whites.

No I'm not saying he is stupid for going with Hillary Clinton but yes I'm saying he is stupid to believe that Barack Obama is "the" savior for Black America or black youth. In bob Kerrey's world Barack Obama would be head of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America addressing the behavior of a lot of underperforming black youth rather than running for President of the United States, against his candidate Hillary, because he's the only one who can reach "them" black kids.

He also is playing on that "Anti-Muslim Card" pointing out Barack Obama's middle name Hussien, as to say to white America "fear this man, he is one of them."

You see in the WaPo article, Kerrey is noted in the following way (check out my bold highlights):

At the podium this morning, Kerrey touted Clinton's long years of experience in public life and asserted she would become "a strong, reliable and compassionate commander-in-chief."

After the event, he mused about her chief competitor, Sen. Barack Obama.

"The fact that he's African American is a big deal. I do expect and hope that Hillary is the nominee of the party. But I hope he's used in some way. If he happens to be the nominee of the party and ends up being president, I think his capacity to influence in a positive way without spending a penny the behavior of a lot of underperforming black youth today is very important, and he's the only one who can reach them."

Kerrey continued, "It's probably not something that appeals to him, but I like the fact that his name is Barack Hussein Obama, and that his father was a Muslim and that his paternal grandmother is a Muslim. There's a billion people on the planet that are Muslims and I think that experience is a big deal." He added, "He's got a whale of a lot more intellectual talent than I've got as well."

- The Washington Post

AAPP: Kerrey, when you said, He's got a whale of a lot more intellectual talent than I've got as well." You are so right! Obama knows how not to use the race card to get elected.

African American Opinion Video Channel Launched

A new African American Opinion Video Channel has been launched. The new channel will be a place where black people can upload and view positive videos for and about black people - all videos will be screened and approved.



Bloggers are encouraged to join African American Opinion Video Channel today. Don't forget to provide webcam as a AfroSpear Freedom Technology Christmas or Kwanza gift to someone who has a computer but just does not have a webcam. Webcam's are very economically now, they go for as little as $30.00 Consider giving a gift to economically disadvantaged youth or a low-income senior to connect to others via the internet. We want our communities to begin to broadcast their opinions and solutions on important issues impacting their own communities. You are also encouraged to visit the new African American Opinion video Channel and join today! Leave a video message if you have a webcam, or buy one as a AfroSpear Freedom Technology Christmas gift for a family member or for yourself. Don't forget to Grab a Video Widget to place on your blog to spread the word.


African American Opinion Video Channel is here to stay - join us today!

Hillary Dirty Tricks

Hillary Dirty Tricks - The Politics of Fear

As reported in major media outlets and covered by black political and social activist Francis L. Holland, A top adviser to Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign said Wednesday that Democrats should give more thought to Sen. Barack Obama's admissions of illegal drug use before they pick a presidential candidate. Yahoo News

"The Republicans are not going to give up without a fight ... and one of the things they're certainly going to jump on is his drug use," said Shaheen, the husband of former N.H. governor Jeanne Shaheen, who is planning to run for the Senate next year. Billy Shaheen contrasted Obama's openness about his past drug use -- which Obama mentioned again at a recent campaign appearance in New Hampshire -- with the approach taken by George W. Bush in 1999 and 2000, when he ruled out questions about his behavior when he was "young and irresponsible."

Shaheen said Obama's candor on the subject would "open the door" to further questions. "It'll be, 'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" Shaheen said. "There are so many openings for Republican dirty tricks. It's hard to overcome."

Washington Post

AAPP: Hillary may not be hearing black voices. We don't that insult of a black man because of his honesty. In many black families, issues of drug and alcohol abuse is a very important to us. We respect those who will not deny the issue of drug use, and we respect those who move on.

Obama's willingness to serve as a positive role model for blacks and others and discuss the issue in a forthright manner is a testament to his character. Unlike Hillary's Husband who declared he used drugs but did not inhale them. Whatever!

I think in many ways, black folks will go to the polls and vote our dreams, our hope, our needs, and vote for Obama. it will be black music playing. The old Bitches Brew may just work in a way that Obama needs. A black turn off with Hillary dirty tricks, and a black turn on to Barack Obama. Lets be clear here folks. It was not only the top adviser to Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign that was speaking on Wednesday, it actually was Hillary Rodham Clinton talking. It was the classic dirty tricks that many Democrats play against blacks who dare run or have the audacity to run for political office. They (democrats) always want to question the character of a man, or woman running, when they are in fact the ones who's character is in question. I guess Francis L. Holland may have some good points.

I was recently on National Public Radio discussing this issue. Here is more of my gut observations and opinions on Barack Obama's class act decision to talk about the issue of drugs.

Here is why I'm feelin obama!