Blacks and A Bogus, Wacked and Weak NY Post apology

After the bogus, wacked, and 'weak' apology from the NY Post it seems that a whole bunch of black folks are still pissed off with the NY Post Political Cartoon even after the apology.

Well, maybe not all black folks, there are some folks, like Gov. Paterson who accepted the New York Post cartoon apology.There are even some folks like Michelle Malkin who would want blacks to apologize - More HERE

Let's place Gov. Paterson, Michelle Malkin, and Alan Keyes, into the same sinking boat.



Now the 'old-school" civil rights organization, the NAACP is getting involved. After making a weak statement regarding the NY Post.

STATEMENT ON THE NEW YORK POST CARTOON
February 18th, 2009

“NAACP continues to fight for a country where America’s promise can be realized for all and where racism Is just a tragic memory. We are saddened that the New York Post chose to create a symbol that is so divisive, insensitive and antithetical to that goal. The NY Post must do better.”

Benjamin Todd Jealous
President and CEO

Source Link: photo and statement

AAPP: Now the national NAACP has decided to step up the conversation.

CNN and other news outlets are reporting that leaders of the NAACP on Saturday called for the firing of the New York Post cartoonist whose drawing lampooning the federal stimulus bill has drawn charges that it's racist and encourages violence toward President Obama.

CNN reports: Speaking at the civil rights group's annual meeting in New York, NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous said that if Sean Delonas is not fired, the group will call for protests of the paper and Fox television affiliates, which are owned by Post parent company News Corp. "There is consensus that if the Post does not ... get rid of the journalists who are responsible for this bit of hate speech seeing the light of day, that we will move this from a local, regional issue to a very national issue," Jealous said. The group also called for the cartoonist's editor to be fired. More HERE

AAPP: I'm so glad that people in organizations like the Color of Change are around. You see, The Color of Change, didn't have to place the finger up in the wind to test and see which way the winds of change were blowing on this issue. You see, they took the lead, and decided to Tell The New York Post: This isn't funny. They asked people to join them in demanding that The Post apologize publicly and fire the editor who allowed this cartoon to go to print. They demanded accountability!

Maybe, just maybe, the national NAACP, will not wait the next time to test the wind, but get out there first, like they did so many years ago. Leaders lead...

Hopefully the NAACP will move to become more active in internet activism. It is said that they have over 400,000 email addresses of members. Maybe, at some point the NAACP, Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights, Color of Change, The Poor Peoples Campaign, CORE, SNCC, the Action Network, The Rainbow Coalition, the Afrospear and other civil rights/human rights activist groups can come together and lead by example.

That's my opinion ...

American Financial Collapse = Russia = National Emergency Centers?

First George Soros Buys The Home Depot Inc., Union Pacific Corp., RR Then as reported by Reuters - the renowned investor George Soros said on Friday the world financial system has effectively disintegrated, adding that there is yet no prospect of a near-term resolution to the crisis.

Soros said the turbulence is actually more severe than during the Great Depression, comparing the current situation to the demise of the Soviet Union.

He said the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in September marked a turning point in the functioning of the market system.

"We witnessed the collapse of the financial system," Soros said at a Columbia University dinner. "It was placed on life support, and it's still on life support. There's no sign that we are anywhere near a bottom."

His comments echoed those made earlier at the same conference by Paul Volcker, a former Federal Reserve chairman who is now a top adviser to President Barack Obama. More HERE

AAPP: We probably should be listening to George Soros, who predicted the mortgage crash.

Meanwhile, check out H.R. 645 a bill to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish national emergency centers on military installations. As reported by the Santa Monica Mirror Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) is to date, the sole member of Congress willing to raise a public stink. “Apparently, the fusion centers, militarized police, surveillance cameras, and a domestic military command is not enough,” blogged Rep. Paul. “Even though we know that detention facilities are already in place, they now want to legalize the construction of FEMA camps on military installations using the ever popular excuse that the facilities are for the purposes of a national emergency. With the phony debt-based economy getting worse and worse by the day, the possibility of civil unrest is becoming a greater threat to the establishment. One needs only to look at Iceland, Greece, and other nations for what might happen in the United States next.” More HERE

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 22, 2009

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

---

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish national emergency centers on military installations.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘National Emergency Centers Establishment Act’.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

(a) In General- In accordance with the requirements of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish not fewer than 6 national emergency centers on military installations.

(b) Purpose of National Emergency Centers- The purpose of a national emergency center shall be to use existing infrastructure--

(1) to provide temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major disaster;

(2) to provide centralized locations for the purposes of training and ensuring the coordination of Federal, State, and local first responders;

(3) to provide centralized locations to improve the coordination of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts of government, private, and not-for-profit entities and faith-based organizations; and

(4) to meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AS NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

(a) In General- Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall designate not fewer than 6 military installations as sites for the establishment of national emergency centers.

(b) Minimum Requirements- A site designated as a national emergency center shall be--

(1) capable of meeting for an extended period of time the housing, health, transportation, education, public works, humanitarian and other transition needs of a large number of individuals affected by an emergency or major disaster;

(2) environmentally safe and shall not pose a health risk to individuals who may use the center;

(3) capable of being scaled up or down to accommodate major disaster preparedness and response drills, operations, and procedures;

(4) capable of housing existing permanent structures necessary to meet training and first responders coordination requirements during nondisaster periods;

(5) capable of hosting the infrastructure necessary to rapidly adjust to temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance needs;

(6) required to consist of a complete operations command center, including 2 state-of-the art command and control centers that will comprise a 24/7 operations watch center as follows:

(A) one of the command and control centers shall be in full ready mode; and

(B) the other shall be used daily for training; and

(7) easily accessible at all times and be able to facilitate handicapped and medical facilities, including during an emergency or major disaster.

(c) Location of National Emergency Centers- There shall be established not fewer than one national emergency center in each of the following areas:

(1) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions I, II, and III.

(2) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IV.

(3) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions V and VII.

(4) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VI.

(5) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions VIII and X.

(6) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX.

(d) Preference for Designation of Closed Military Installations- Wherever possible, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall designate a closed military installation as a site for a national emergency center. If the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense jointly determine that there is not a sufficient number of closed military installations that meet the requirements of subsections (b) and (c), the Secretaries shall jointly designate portions of existing military installations other than closed military installations as national emergency centers.

(e) Transfer of Control of Closed Military Installations- If a closed military installation is designated as a national emergency center, not later than 180 days after the date of designation, the Secretary of Defense shall transfer to the Secretary of Homeland Security administrative jurisdiction over such closed military installation.

(f) Cooperative Agreement for Joint Use of Existing Military Installations- If an existing military installation other than a closed military installation is designated as a national emergency center, not later than 180 days after the date of designation, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense shall enter into a cooperative agreement to provide for the establishment of the national emergency center.

(g) Reports-

(1) PRELIMINARY REPORT- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report that contains for each designated site--

(A) an outline of the reasons why the site was selected;

(B) an outline of the need to construct, repair, or update any existing infrastructure at the site;

(C) an outline of the need to conduct any necessary environmental clean-up at the site;

(D) an outline of preliminary plans for the transfer of control of the site from the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of Homeland Security, if necessary under subsection (e); and

(E) an outline of preliminary plans for entering into a cooperative agreement for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site, if necessary under subsection (f).

(2) UPDATE REPORT- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report that contains for each designated site--

(A) an update on the information contained in the report as required by paragraph (1);

(B) an outline of the progress made toward the transfer of control of the site, if necessary under subsection (e);

(C) an outline of the progress made toward entering a cooperative agreement for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site, if necessary under subsection (f); and

(D) recommendations regarding any authorizations and appropriations that may be necessary to provide for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site.

(3) FINAL REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report that contains for each designated site--

(A) finalized information detailing the transfer of control of the site, if necessary under subsection (e);

(B) the finalized cooperative agreement for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site, if necessary under subsection (f); and

(C) any additional information pertinent to the establishment of a national emergency center at the site.

(4) ADDITIONAL REPORTS- The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, may submit to Congress additional reports as necessary to provide updates on steps being taken to meet the requirements of this Act.

SEC. 4. LIMITATIONS ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.

This Act does not affect--

(1) the authority of the Federal Government to provide emergency or major disaster assistance or to implement any disaster mitigation and response program, including any program authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); or

(2) the authority of a State or local government to respond to an emergency.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated $180,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 to carry out this Act. Such funds shall remain available until expended. More HERE

Rihanna Abuse Police Photo

Rihanna: The New Face of Domestic Violence

The LA Police Department has launched an internal investigation Thursday into the release of domestic violence photos. TMZ.com posted the photo of a battered woman's face late Thursday, saying the photo was indeed Rihanna, who turned 21 Friday. Click here to see the photo at TMZ

Rihanna's father, Ronald Fenty, is upset with the Los Angeles Police Department over the leak of a photo that apparently shows his daughter shortly after her alleged altercation with Chris Brown, according to People.com. "Sloppy work on their part," Fenty reportedly told the magazine.

MTV also reports, Fenty also spoke with UsMagazine.com on Friday, describing the photo as "terrible."

"Yeah, I saw it," he told the magazine. "It's disturbing."

He added that he thought people now will be able to "grasp the situation a lot better. It's good and it's bad to see the picture because there's other people who were thinking differently, that [Rihanna's injuries] may not be that bad, just a little spank or a little thing."

The photo appeared online Thursday night, and immediately prompted an internal LAPD investigation into the leak.

Obama Lectures Mayors: Don't Screw this Up!

As reported by The Huffington Post and other news and blogger outlets, President Barack Obama warned many of the nations Mayor's not to screw-up and don't float wasteful ideas.

President Obama also warned the mayors he would call them out.

Barack Obama speaks to a group of mayors in the East Room of the White House while Joe Biden looks on. Photograph: Ron Edmonds/AP

The Huffington post reports, that President Obama, sounding, at times, like a school teacher lecturing a classroom of mischievous students, President Barack Obama warned a gathering of mayors on Friday that the stimulus money they received better be spent wisely, transparently and without political motives.

"There is an unprecedented responsibility and accountability on all our parts," said Obama. "The American people are watching. They need this plan to work. They expect to see the money that they've earned... I want to be clear about this: we cannot tolerate business was usual. We will use the new tools that the recovery act gives us to watch the taxpayer's money with more rigor and transparency than ever... If a federal agency proposes a project that wastes that money, I will not hesitate to call them out on it and put a stop to it. I want everybody here to be on notice that if a local government does the same, I will call them out on it." More HERE

AAPP: President Barack Obama may need to coach this nations Governors as well. This would include his own buddy, Gov. Deval Patrick, whom I and many others are wondering if Massachusetts is ready to steal the stimulus money?

Of course I don't say this lightly, it has happened before in Massachusetts and Mississippi.

Atty General Eric Holder, Cowards, Courage and Blacks

Eric Holder showed great character when he addressed his Department of Justice just a few days ago. Check out - H/T Wichita NAACP Blog - Pat Buchanan and Dr. Micheal Eric Dyson attempt a courageous conversation on Race.

One of my favorite bloggers, Rikyrah at the blog, Jack and Jill Politics, reviewed the speech in this way, "Holder told the truth during his speech. It was thoughtful, smart, historical, honest and contemplative. Of course, it was too deep for some folks to handle, so they ignore a 16 and a half minute speech and its content AND CONTEXT, and focus on one phrase uttered within the first MINUTE of the speech. You know what this reminds me of: Then Senator Obama’s speech in Hampton, Virginia in October 2007, when the basics of an Urban Policy were given out, and the only thing the ‘ media’ could point out was the phrase ‘ quiet riot’. Choosing ‘points’ which they can exploit, twist and bend, to get off the MAIN point of a speech of depth, substance and meaning." More HERE



AAPP: Rikyrah is on point. "Holder told the truth during his speech. It was thoughtful, smart, historical, honest and contemplative."

There are many others who are on point with their analysis, including Mary Mitchell over at the Chicago Sun Times, who writes: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has surely given Loudmouth Limbaugh a hot topic. In a speech Holder gave for the African-American History Month program at the Justice Department, he called Americans "cowards" with respect to race relations.

"Though the nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards," Holder said.

"Though race-related issues continue to occupy a significant portion of our political discussion and though there remain many unresolved racial issues in this nation, we average Americans simply do not talk enough with each other about race."

Most black people likely agree with that statement, while a lot of white people likely disagree.

Holder called on us to "respect one another" and to use Black History Month to "learn more about each other."

Before people get hung up on "coward," think about the times you've been misunderstood when it comes to race issues. It is easier to avoid the topic altogether. Holder isn't putting us down.

He's asking us to have courage. Link to the Chicago Sun Times.

AAPP: Yes, two strong sisters hearing the words of a strong brother. Now it's your turn to hear those words. Tell me your thoughts....

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Pullman Porters Men of Charcter

Hat Tip to Ms. Yantin and the folks at MSNBC. Ms. Yatin is great, she provided a powerful link on the black NY Pullman Porters - the largest group of black workers in post-slavery America, who are finally being recognized as the early engine of the civil rights movement. This is a must see clip below, which aired on NBC Nightly News yesterday evening with Brian Williams. Great job MSNBC!

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/29267624#29267624

As reported in the video, it was era when America traveled by train, one of the best jobs an African-American man could land was working as a Pullman porter. It also was one of the worst. The hours were grueling — 16 hours a day, seven days a week. The first Pullman porters, hired after the Civil War, were former slaves. Their ranks swelled until they reached 20,000 in the early part of the 20th century, making them the largest group of African-American men employed in the country. Last Tuesday, Amtrak honored the legacy of Pullman porters, who fought bigotry to form the first-ever black labor union in the country in 1925, achieving better wages and shorter hours. Little is known about the extraordinary accomplishments of these men, who were the foot soldiers in the early civil rights movement. They ushered in a new generation of leaders like Malcolm X and Thurgood Marshall, both porters themselves.

AAPP: This is a powerful and significant piece of history my friends. As noted from the great folks at the A. Phillph Randolph Institute Musuem, during the century spanning the years 1868-1968, the African-American railroad attendant's presence on the train became a tradition within the American scene. By the 1920s, a peak decade for the railroads, 20,224 African-Americans were working as Pullman Porters and train personnel. At that time, this was the largest category of black labor in the United States and Canada. The Pullman Porters organized and founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925. The BSCP was the very first African-American labor union to sign a collective bargaining agreement with a major U.S. corporation. A. Philip Randolph was the determined, dedicated, and articulate president of this union who fought to improve the working conditions and pay for the Pullman Porters.

The porters had tried to organize since the begining of the century. The wages and working conditions were below average for decades. For example, the porters were required to work 400 hours per month or 11,000 miles—whichever occurred first to receive full pay. Porters depended on the passengers' tips in order to earn a decent level of pay. Typically, the porters' tips were more than their monthly salary earned from the Pullman Company. After many years of suffering these types of conditions, the porters united with A. Philip Randolph as their leader. Finally, having endured threats from the Pullman Company such as job loss and harassment, the BSCP forced the company to the bargaining table. On August 25, 1937, after 12 years of battle, the BSCP was recognized as the official union of the Pullman Porters. Protected by the union, the job of a Pullman Porter was one of economic stability and held high social prestige in the African-American community. A. Philip Randolph utilized the power of the labor union and the unity that it represented to demand significant social changes for African-Americans nationally. More HERE

AAPP: As we see Black unemployment soar, and the recession take a heavier toll on our young and older black citizens, I only which, people like A. Philip Randolph and Rev. Leon Sullivan were alive today. I wish we could channel A. Philip Randolph and Dr. Leon Sullivan into a discussion joining in with these great pullman porters to take some time with the Congressional Black Caucus and other colored groups, and coach them on what true leadership is.

Color Aroused Hatred and Bigotry disguised as Parody

As reported the the Huffington Post, a cartoon likening the author of the stimulus bill, perhaps President Barack Obama, with a rabid chimpanzee graced the pages of the New York Post on Wednesday.

The drawing, from famed cartoonist Sean Delonas, is rife with violent imagery and racial undertones. In it, two befuddled-looking police officers holding guns look over the dead and bleeding chimpanzee that attacked a woman in Stamford, Connecticut. "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill," reads the caption.

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AAPP: Oh, not again, more ignorance by the media, but this time they go violent. So... Barack Obama is a Monkey, and he should be, what, New York Post editors? Thank god there are Black voices and many other voices across the blogosphere and afrosphere who are outraged at the offensive New York Post 'Shoot The Monkey' Cartoon.

Shawn Williams at Dallas South Blog says, I see plenty of evil in New York Post cartoon. But Shawn is not the only afrospear blogger seeing the evil. Blogger Villager, at Electronic Village is covering how the racist cartoon infers Barack Obama is a monkey. Pamela on politics asks, Is the N.Y. Post Calling Obama a Monkey? Brother Field Negro is also covering this issue. Blogger, Francis L. Holland is concerned about this issue as well. He goes as far as to say, "As we all have learned over the last years, there are vast and loosely organized national and international networks of persons who communicate by code to inspire, organize, and incite terrorist attacks, including assassinations of world leaders. Their goal is both to create a climate of fear and intimidation wherein their voices will be taken more seriously and also to effectuate terrorist attacks. Among these terrorists was Timothy McVeigh, who destroyed a Federal Building in Oklahoma." Francis is calling for the New York Post cartoon to be closely analyzed by U.S. Government specialists. More HERE

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UPDATE: H/T to Casey Gane-McCalla for his recent article/post on the top 10 most offensive New York Post cartoons - More HERE. Also H/T to Baratunde over at Jack and Jill Politics for his post on the connection between blacks as apes and police brutality.

AAPP: Based on these offensive cartoons, I would place the NY Post and Sean Delonas as part of a nation of cowards. Big H/T to Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday that despite advances, the United States remains “a nation of cowards” on issues involving race. Here are excerpts from Atty Gen Holder's remarks on race.

The bottom line is, the cartoon is color aroused , bigoted and some would call cowardly. Yes, Eric Holder’s speech on race was right on the money, even though some like the American Thinker are ignorant, to the fact. No one, at least in America's Black communities are laughing.

The cartoons and the color aroused bigorty and racism is just not funny.

More HERE

Black bloggers make an impact

Executive Editor
Howard Manly of the Bay State Banner
Speaks with NECN about black bloggers


The folks at NECN.com in Boston, Massachusetts are reporting how black bloggers are making an impact in political and social action in America. This report is related to the The Bay State Banner report just this week. Check out the comments of the The Bay State Banner Editor, in the broadcast regarding afrospear bloggers, and other black bloggers.

Should Senator Burris Resign

The Washington Post is reporting on how "Burris Revises and Extends." Chris at The Washington Post, The Fix says: Illinois Sen. Roland Burris appears to be backtracking -- rapidly -- on sworn testimony regarding his contacts with the associates of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the runup to his appointment to the seat vacated by President Obama. Burris initially told an Illinois House panel that he had spoken with only one close Blagojevich adviser but in an affidavit filed over the weekend Burris acknowledges that he had contact with five advisers including the governor's brother. Republicans in the state are calling on Burris to resign; he is resisting that call to date although it remains unclear whether Senate Democrats will ramp up pressure on him to do so to finally excise the political boil that is Blagojevich. More HERE

Rick Pearson and Janet Hook of The Chicago Tribune provide greater detail to all that is going on. They report that Burris' first description of his contacts with Blagojevich came in a sworn affidavit to the impeachment panel on Jan. 5 in which he attested that other than speaking to one of Blagojevich's lawyers on Dec. 26 about his interest in the Senate seat, "there was not any contact between myself or any of my representatives with Gov. Blagojevich or any of his representatives regarding my appointment to the United States Senate."

Three days later, Burris appeared before the impeachment panel to give sworn testimony.

He was asked specifically about any contact he had with insiders that included Robert Blagojevich, the former governor's brother, as well as chief of staff John Harris and former aides John Wyma, Lon Monk and Doug Scofield. Burris testified only about a discussion he had with Monk dating back to July.

In the recently filed affidavit, however, Burris acknowledged that he spoke with the others, including three times with Blagojevich's brother who was soliciting fundraising help, as well as Ed Smith, a Downstate labor ally of the former governor. Burris said he rejected Rob Blagojevich's request to help the former governor's fundraising.

The new affidavit prompted calls by Illinois House Republicans, including Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), to convene the Democratic-led House impeachment panel and ask it to refer Burris' affidavits and testimony to the Sangamon County state's attorney, Republican John Schmidt, for investigation over possible perjury. Durkin was the lead Republican on the House panel and questioned Burris about his contacts.

According to transcripts of the hearing, Durkin asked Burris if he discussed the Senate vacancy with "any members of the governor's staff or anyone closely related to the governor, including with family members or any lobbyists connected with [Blagojevich]" and then named Harris, Blagojevich, Scofield, Monk and Wyma as well as deputy governor Bob Greenlee.

After conferring with his attorney, Burris responded, "I talked to some friends about my desire to be appointed, yes."

On Sunday, Burris maintained his "yes" answer applied to every name Durkin asked about except Greenlee.

"There's a 'yes' answer in that it means I talked to all of those individuals," he said.

Asked why he went on to answer a follow up question by Durkin that only detailed contacting Monk, the senator blamed his Republican questioner who "took us off in a different direction" that didn't allow him to give a complete answer. "Why didn't he come back to those [others] if he was interested in them?" Burris said of Durkin.

After Burris' news conference, Durkin said it was "pretty clear what I was asking" at the hearing. "There's nothing from what I heard in the press conference that changes my mind" in seeking a perjury investigation, he said.

Burris' attorney said the senator decided to file a new affidavit after reading a copy of the transcript of his testimony at the hearing "to make sure there was nothing left out."

Burris said on Sunday that the initial affidavit was in response to the panel's interest in how he obtained the appointment and that the most recently filed affidavit "dealt with contacts I had about the Senate seat. Look at the difference."

Illinois Republican House members weren't the only ones voicing concern.

Rep. Susanna Mendoza (D-Chicago), an alternate member of the impeachment panel, said she did not believe Burris had been "forthright and honest" in his answers to the committee in light of his newly filed affidavit and said she would support an investigation of the new senator.

"They can try to worm their way out of this as lawyers, but to the regular people this is the equivalent of lying," Mendoza said. More HERE

AAPP: Now the question is should Burris resign? Well, I'm with Mark Brown at another great Chicago newspaper the Chicago Sun Times, who writes, "I'll leave it to the proper investigative bodies to decide whether Roland Burris committed perjury last month in testimony before the Illinois House impeachment committee."

Mark Brown is also right on point when he says, "From a strict legal perspective, maybe he didn't. But I'll tell you straight up, our new U.S. senator proved himself to be a lying little sneak." More HERE

AAPP: Enough said...

Angela Bassett and the lack of black actors in Woody Allen's films

Is Woody Allen a color aroused bigot?

Although Woody Allen's latest film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, has been seen by the critics as a welcome return to form for the director and won its star Penélope Cruz a Bafta award, Angela Bassett, the acclaimed black actress, has her reservations about its cultural authenticity.

"I mean, to have one black cast member for the whole film seems rather strange, and, oh yes, she's a prostitute, of course," said the actress who portrayed Tina Turner in the biopic What's Love Got to Do With it? "Don't get me wrong, I love Spain and it looked beautiful, but that part of the world is so diverse and, really, what is that about?"

Although Allen has succeeded in signing up Sir Anthony Hopkins and Josh Brolin to appear in his next film, which is set in London, the 50-year-old American actress added that she had herself no desire to work for him. "I wouldn't want to," she told Mandrake at the premiere of Notorious, a film about the late rap singer the Notorious B.I.G. "He's a little weird."

Miss Bassett is not the first person to point out the prevalence of white faces in Allen's films. When Spike Lee, the black director, was criticised for allegedly not featuring many white characters in his films, he was quick to point out that Allen had very few blacks in his.

Allen robustly disputes that he is a racist. His wife is Soon-Yi Previn, whom he married in 1997. She is the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow, his former wife. When they married, Allen was 56 and Miss Previn 22. More HERE

AAPP: OK, he is a color aroused, bigot and child _____ (you fill in the blanks).

Is Massachusetts Ready To Steal The Stimulus Money?

AAPP: In my home town, of Boston, Massachusetts, the crooks and liars are ready to steal the stimulus money. As reported by The Boston Globe, The real estate developer chosen by Governor Deval Patrick to distribute billions of dollars in federal stimulus money has been receiving a state pension ever since he was fired from his job at a state development agency in 1995, according to state records.

Jeffrey A. Simon, 58, was tapped by the governor on Wednesday to the newly created job of director of infrastructure investment, which will pay him $150,000 a year. The governor promptly posted a summary of Simon's résumé on his website after the appointment, listing a distinguished career as a real estate specialist in government and the private sector, with expertise in redeveloping military bases.

But what the résumé posting did not say was that Simon was terminated in 1995 from his state job overseeing the redevelopment of Fort Devens.

The governor and his staff also did not disclose that, under a Massachusetts pension law intended to protect patronage hires from retribution, his firing entitled him to begin collecting an enhanced state pension while he was in his mid-40s.

Simon could not be reached for comment. His retirement records do not include a reason for his dismissal from the agency where he worked in the mid-1990s, the Massachusetts Government Land Bank. His official résumé suggests he left the Land Bank because he was recruited for a similar job by the government of Bermuda.

A spokesman for Patrick, Joe Landolfi, provided a statement last night that said the administration knew Simon had departed state government. The statement did not address the questions of Simon's pension or his dismissal from the agency, however.

"Mr. Simon was fully vetted prior to being offered the position of director of infrastructure investment. He disclosed that he retired from state service more than a decade ago," Landolfi said. "He is eminently qualified to serve in this critical role, and we are confident he will successfully ensure federal stimulus funds are invested responsibly and transparently."

State retirement records show that Simon has been paid $29,000 to $32,000 a year since December 1995 with his enhanced, early pension. He has collected $403,751.84 in all, according to state records.

Simon will forgo the pension payments while he serves in his new state job, according to administration officials. More HERE

I guess Black Agenda Report was right. Black Folks will get the short end regarding the Stimulus Package. As The Black Agenda Report noted, Obama's economic stimulus plan is built around "shovel-ready" projects already vetted by the states. That means "Mississippi will be enabled to do more of what Mississippi always does." More HERE

Note: Let's include northern Mississippi in the equation, Massachusetts.