African American Pundit: 2009-03-15

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Tyler Perry's Brokeback Mountain

"People feel the images [in his movies] are very stereotypical, and black people are frustrated because they feel we should be more evolved. But there are very few black images in Hollywood, so black people are going to his movies. That's the dichotomy. Tyler Perry is making money.''

- Viola Davis, Oscar Nominee

TYLER PERRY AS MADEA ''These characters are simply tools to make people laugh,'' the writer-director-actor says. ''And I know for a fact that they have helped, inspired, and encouraged millions of people.''

AAPP says: I am so tired of Tyler Perry's Madea Character. I don't get why so many black woman love his character. I don'rt get why tyler Perry needs to keep dressing up acting like a woman and acting like a fool. This character is nothing less than an overgrown black man acting out his issues in a granny outfit.

As Benjamin Svetkey, Margeaux Watson, Alynda Wheat noted in their recent article, about Tyler Perry; If you happened to buy a ticket to Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail without knowing what you were getting into, you might think you'd stumbled onto a cheery comedy about an overgrown granny with anger-management issues. A black Mrs. Doubtfire, say, with car chases and reefer jokes. You'd never suspect that you had strayed into the midst of a culture war — one that's been simmering inside the African-American community since before blackface. ''I loved working with Tyler Perry, but he's a controversial, complicated figure,'' says Viola Davis, who costarred in Madea Goes to Jail and recently snagged an Oscar nomination for Doubt. ''People feel the images [in his movies] are very stereotypical, and black people are frustrated because they feel we should be more evolved. But there are very few black images in Hollywood, so black people are going to his movies. That's the dichotomy. Tyler Perry is making money.''

A lot of money. Jail has already earned more than $75 million, making it Perry's highest-grossing film to date. And his seven movies — starting with his 2005 big-screen drag debut as Madea in Diary of a Mad Black Woman — have grossed more than $350 million combined, putting him on track to join John Singleton and Keenen Ivory Wayans as one of the most successful black filmmakers ever. He may already be the most divisive. At a time when Barack Obama is presenting the world with a bold new image of black America, Perry is being slammed for filling his films with regressive, down-market archetypes. In many of his films there's a junkie prostitute, a malaprop-dropping uncle, and Madea, a tough-talking grandma the size of a linebacker (''Jemima the Hutt,'' one character calls her). ''Tyler keeps saying that Madea is based on black women he's known, and maybe so,'' says Donald Bogle, acclaimed author of Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, & Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films. ''But Madea does have connections to the old mammy type. She's mammy-like. If a white director put out this product, the black audience would be appalled.'' More HERE

AAPP says: I'm well aware that black men have been dressing in drag for sometime. This drag tradition with roots in minstrelsy goes back to '70s TV star Flip Wilson's Geraldine character, and most recently Tyler Perry's Madea. But i have to tell yah, Perry Should Come out of the closet, or... Just stop the Madea character.

Viola Davis was right when she said, "People feel the images [in his movies] are very stereotypical, and black people are frustrated because they feel we should be more evolved. She is also right when she said, there are very few black images in Hollywood, so black people are going to his movies.

That's is the dichotomy. Tyler Perry is making money... but at who's expense?

Last year director John Singleton griped to Black Star News, "I'm tired of all these black men in dresses ... How come nobody's protesting that?" And comedian Dave Chappelle told Oprah Winfrey that during a shoot with Lawrence, the writers and producers had twisted his arm to do drag. "'Every minute you waste costs this much money,'" he recalls them telling him. "The pressure comes in ... I don't need no dress to be funny," he said. Chappelle also suggested that their insistence amounted to a "conspiracy," and he got applause for implying a connection between cross-dressing and "Brokeback Mountain." More HERE

AAPP: Enough is enough. But that's my opinion. What do you think? Is this a true image of a black man?

Black Man Tased and Beaten in Peoria, IL.

No Post Racial HERE.

What We Think About Taser Abuse

A Peoria man was punched in the face, kicked, stomped on at least 20 times and repeatedly stunned with a Taser during his arrest by police after leading them on a brief chase in May.

Peoria Police Officers (above) Andrew Smith, left, and Gerald Suelter, were charged Wednesday with multiple counts of official misconduct and other charges in connection with the beating of another man.

Two of at least seven Peoria police officers involved in the arrest were formally charged Wednesday with multiple counts of official misconduct as well as mob action and battery for the alleged beating of then 33-year-old Bryce Scott.

Officers Gerald W. Suelter, 39, and Andrew R. Smith, 29, each face four counts of official misconduct and one count each of battery, mob action and aggravated battery. Both men appeared in court via video from the Peoria County Jail, where they have been held since their arrests on Monday.

Assistant State's Attorney Steve Pattelli on Wednesday offered details of the May arrest, both seen and those not caught on tape from an in-car video camera, that began after Scott stopped his SUV near Abington and Perry streets after a brief chase.

"One officer punched the driver at least twice in his face, and while three officers were handcuffing the driver, Peoria police officer Gerald Suelter approached and drew his electronic Taser . . . Suelter removed the air cartridge from his Taser and began to repeatedly stun the driver," Pattelli said, noting Scott was Tasered by Suelter at least three times.

"Peoria police Officer Andrew Smith was the last of the officers to arrive . . . after (Scott) had been pulled from the vehicle and was on the pavement with five other police officers above him," Pattelli continued. "When Smith arrived, he began to kick and stomp the driver at least 20 times, at one point repositioning himself for leverage." MORE HERE

By Denise Jackson at WEEK-TV reports:

Two Peoria police officers arrested for allegedly beating a man last May remain in custody tonight. They face a barrage of charges including aggravated battery and mob action.

The officers, Andrew Smith and Gerald Suelter (SEWL'–ter) are among six police officers named in a lawsuit filed by the victim Bryce Scott.

Dan Cusack is the attorney for Bryce Scott the man allegedly beaten by Peoria police officers last May after a chase in the North Valley.

The chase was captured on videotape in the squad car. After pulling over Scott put his hands out of the window as instructed by police and got out of his vehicle. The tape shows officers approaching Scott who is on the ground . Scott's attorney says without the videotape they would not have a good case against the police.

"To me it's just absolutely wrong. It's not about lawsuits. It's about a constitution and it's about activity and Bryce Scott is entitled to the constitution as much as Mother Theresa and he wasn't doing anything wrong at that point," Cusack said.

In January of this year Bryce filed a lawsuit against the police officers and the city. Cusack says his office has received about 30 complaints since the Scott incident. He is not sure if there is a pattern of excessive force among some Peoria cops.

He does not expect the civil lawsuit to go to trial until next year. The two police officers Smith and Suelter (SEWL'–ter) are scheduled to appear in Peoria County court tomorrow. More HERE

Now we learn that Taser International has a plan to gain millions in Obama stimulus money. More on this later!

Cross posted on African American Political Pundit and the blog Tasered While Black

Wichita NAACP President on CBS Morning Show

OK, So you all know I'm up and down regarding the NAACP National office. But there is one local branch President who I have big respect for... Kevin Myles.

Brother Kevin Myles, is the Wichita NAACP President. Brother Kevin Myles will appear on CBS Sunday Morning this weekend 9-22-2009

Leslie Stahl (l) of CBS and Kevin Myles (r) local branch President, Wichita NAACP

Kevin, who serves many roles and wears many hats, was notified by CBS that the segment will air this Sunday, March 22 on CBS Sunday Morning.The segment deals with Leslie Stahl's coverage of the National Convention of American Mensa.

Kevin is also an active member of the afrospear and the afrospear google group.

Kevin reports, CBS switched the segment from 60 Minutes to CBS Sunday Morning due to the high volume of breaking news stories that 60 Minutes has needed to cover. They did not want the story to become dated, so they decided to air it on Sunday Morning. Read More HERE

Source: Wichita NAACP and African American Opinion

Angie Winters at Politopics Stops Blogging

Black bloggers will miss one of our best black women bloggers. Angie Winters at Politopics has decided to stop blogging on a regular basis. She says her plate is very full and although she has absolutely loved Politopics, to do it properly has become too time consuming. Read more below:

Today is the last day of Politopics. You may have noticed that ever since coming back from Europe last

summer, I haven't been as frequent or opinionated as I used to. I shared many personal reasons, all good of course, why I would have less time than before. Well, things are kind of coming to a head and I have to focus on my future now. Things are going great in my personal life and my writing career has reached a new level that requires additional attention right now. Later this Spring, you will see a new website devoted to my VIEW PARK series which has been extended for additional books. Yea!!!!! This is the next book cover. Read More HERE

AAPP says: I will truly miss Angies blogging, she always kept it real. I wish her all the best. Maybe she can guest blog on African American Political Pundit or African American Opinion?
Stay tuned...

BET Networks Home
Page

"The Tom Joyner
Morning Show"

National Media Organizations

National Association of Black
Journalists

National Association of Black Owned
Broadcasters

National Newspaper Publishers Association

Alternative Media Outlets

Village Voice - http://www.villagevoice.com/
Offers news, features and opinions along with arts, fashion, gossip and restaurant reviews. New York City, USA.

The Pitch - http://www.pitch.com
Weekly alternative newspaper featuring news, arts, entertainment, reviews and classifieds. Kansas City, USA.

Chicago Reader - http://www.chicagoreader.com/
Alternative newspaper focusing on music, movies, restaurants, events and politics.

Metro Times - http://www.metrotimes.com/
Alternative news, arts and culture weekly. Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Metro Newspapers - http://www.metronews.com/
Group of weekly alternative newspapers in Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz County and the North Bay. Features common archives and links to the individual newspaper sites. California, USA.

The eXile - http://www.exile.ru/
An English-language alternative newspaper featuring investigative journalism, satire and radical views. Moscow, Russia.

The Dominion - http://dominionpaper.ca/
Grassroots, socially progressive national newspaper. Canada.

Alt Weeklies.com - http://www.altweeklies.com/
Features news and opinion from more than 100 alternative newsweeklies, reporting on politics, health, science, movies, music and books.

The Coast - http://www.thecoast.ca
Alternative newsweekly for Halifax featuring news and arts reporting as well as weekly entertainment listings. Nova Scotia, Canada.

Haleakala Times - http://www.haleakalatimes.com/
A bi-weekly alternative newspaper from Paia, Maui providing local news and features. Hawaii, USA.

High Plains Reader - http://www.hpr1.com/
Alternative newspaper offers news, features, arts and entertainment. Fargo, North Dakota, USA.

Change Links - http://www.change-links.org/
Progressive monthly newspaper covering the greater Los Angeles area. California, USA.

the Source Weekly - http://www.tsweekly.com/
Weekly alternative paper featuring news, art, and opinion. Central Oregon, USA.

Washington Free Press - http://www.wafreepress.org/
Bi-monthly newspaper from Seattle highlighting labor and environmental issues. Emphasis on local issues, with some national and world-wide news. Washington, USA.

Sierra Mountain Times - http://www.sierramountaintimes.com
Local news and events for the Mother Lode, including Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. California, USA.

The Dominion: Newspaper - http://dominionpaper.ca/index.rdf
Headlines from this grassroots, socially progressive, national newspaper from Canada.

Village Voice - http://www.villagevoice.com/syndication/issue
Offers news on arts, fashion, and gossip from New York City, USA.

Mostly Water - http://mostlywater.org/node/feed
News for radicals, updated daily. Includes web boards, calendars and other resources.

Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual News Links

Bay Windows - http://www.baywindows.com/
New England based: news, community guide, humor, ads

Michigan Pride Source - http://www.pridesource.com
Serving Michigan's GLBT community. Includes news, events calendar, travel and editorials.

New York Blade - http://www.nyblade.com/
Weekly newspaper for gay and lesbian community of New York City, NY. Includes local and world news, entertainment, classifieds, free personals, and community events calendar.

Metro Weekly - http://www.metroweekly.com
Newspaper and guide to gay and lesbian entertainment, bars, theaters, movies, and dance clubs in Washington DC. Includes classifieds and personals.

Seattle Gay News - http://www.sgn.org/
Local, national, and international news for the gay community.

Gay & Lesbian Times - http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/
San Diego weekly offering news, ads and a community guide

Southern Voice - http://www.southernvoice.com/
National and local news and events from this Atlanta publication.

Tucson Observer - http://www.tucsonobserver.com/
Online edition of biweekly Arizona newspaper.

Express Gay News - http://www.expressgaynews.com/
Article archives and newsletter of Florida's leading gay and lesbian newspaper.

Church Street Freedom Press - http://www.churchstreetfreedompress.com
Nashville, TN weekly publication covering issues, the arts, and events.

The Gayzette - http://rainbowoutreach.org/center/GLBTpublications.htm
Online version of the biweekly newsletter published by Rainbow Outreach GLBT Resource Center. Offers news and announcements about the GLBT communities of Nebraska and Western Iowa.

The Letter - http://www.theletteronline.com/
Louisville Kentucky newspaper with GLBT news, community calendar, columns, and subscription information.

Out & About Nashville - http://www.outandaboutnashville.com/
Monthly newspaper for the Nashville and Middle Tennessee GLBT community. News, information, links, events, subscriptions, archive.

Salt Lake Metro - http://slmetro.com/
Utah's gay and lesbian biweekly newspaper. Regional news plus arts, lifestyle and editorial columns.

Media Job Opportunities, Blogs and Internet Jobs

Here are some great links to job opportunities in the new media (blogs and the internet).
Source: PaidContent.org

Junior SEO	Waterfront Media	Santa Clara, CA	Mar 17
PCT031709 SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE	Sudden Industries Inc.	Flatiron, NYC, NY	Mar 17
Marketing Manager	Gaiam	Louisville, CO	Mar 16
VP of TV 2.0 for Major Media Company	The Hired Guns	New York, NY	Mar 16
Sr Business Development Manager	MediaGlow (AOL)	Dulles, VA (DC Metro Area)	Mar 13
Product Development Manager	Simon and Schuster	New York, NY	Mar 11
VP Product Management, Scenic Platform	MTV Networks	New York , NY	Mar 10
East Coast Advertising Sales Consultant	StumbleUpon Inc.	New York, NY (NYC, DC, Boston, telecommute)	Mar 09
Manager, Strategic Development	National Geographic	Washington, DC	Mar 09
Vice President, Strategic Marketing (Online and eOutreach)	American Cancer Society	Seattle, WA (12 states of Western U.S.)	Mar 09
Online Marketing Manager for New Blog Site (Freelance, New York, NY)	Confidential	New York, NY	Mar 09
Mobile Content Manager	Universal Music Group	New York, NY	Mar 07
Director, Business Development	Associated Content	New York , NY	Mar 06
CBS Interactive: Marketing Director, Integrated Media Solutions	CBS Interactive	New York, NY	Mar 05
Sr. Manager, Mobile Applications/Production	Universal Music Group Distribution	Universal City, CA	Mar 05
Content Partnership Director for New Blog Site (Freelance, New York, NY)	Confidential	New York, NY	Mar 05
Sales Executive	Guardian America	New York, NY	Mar 04
Director, Sponsorship Sales	Control Room	Beverly Hills, CA	Mar 04
Talented and Experienced Graphic Web Designer - San Francisco	Confidential	San Francisco, CA	Mar 03
Interactive Sales Specialist	The Star Ledger	Newark, NJ	Mar 03
Sales Support Associate	Guardian America	New York, NY	Mar 03
Managing Editor	MainStreet.com	New York, NY	Feb 27
Project Manager with Technical Chops for Online News Site	The Hired Guns	New York, NY	Feb 23
Account Manager for Interactive Creative Shop (Direct Hire, New York, NY)	Interactive Creative Shop	New York, NY	Feb 20
Public Interactive Software Sales Manager	NPR	Washington, DC	Feb 19

Respected VBlack Federal Judge, dies at 63

Hat Tip to Professor Charles J. Ogletree Jr.and my hometown newspaper, The Bay State Banner for the following article on the premature passing of U.S. District Judge Reginald Lindsay.

Massachusetts lost a great lawyer and judge last Thursday, March 12, 2009, with the premature passing of U.S. District Judge Reginald Lindsay. He was only 63 years old.

Judge Lindsay was the second African American to serve on the Federal District Court of Massachusetts. David Nelson, a Boston native, was the first.

U.S. District Judge Reginald Lindsay (front, center) and a young Deval Patrick, then President Bill Clinton’s nominee for the position of Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Civil Rights (back, center), pose with students and staff at the George A. Lewis Middle School in Roxbury, in this Banner file photo. Lindsay, the second black person to sit as a federal judge in Massachusetts, died March 12, 2009, after a series of illnesses. He was 63. (Banner file photo) H/T Denise Lavoieat the Baystate Banner.

Both had extraordinary careers, and I would like to reflect for a moment on the deep voids created by their deaths and the significant contributions both made during their lives.

Judge Lindsay’s predecessor, Judge Nelson, was a graduate of Boston College and Boston College Law School. He was one of the warmest and most humorous persons I have ever met and served on the federal district court after being appointed by President Carter in 1979.

Judge Nelson was highly regarded by his judicial colleagues and quickly established a well-earned reputation for excellence and fairness that Judge Lindsay continued during his tenure. Although Judge Nelson ran unsuccessfully for several Massachusetts political offices, he was known and respected as someone deeply committed to the residents of his home state.

Reginald Lindsay graduated from Morehouse College in 1967. He enrolled immediately at Harvard Law School, and was among the first cohort of African Americans in the late 20th century to graduate from Harvard in 1970. More HERE

Shelby Steele, John McWhorter, Stanley Crouch, Clarence Thomas, Michael Steele, Armstrong Williams and Alan Keyes.

AAPP says: I love African American politics, so when I read a great post about politics, I like to share. Here is a great post about African American conservatives from the blogger Gordon Gartrelle.

Gordon has some things to say about, Shelby Steele, John McWhorter, Stanley Crouch, Clarence Thomas, Michael Steele, Armstrong Williams and Alan Keyes. Check out his blog post Shelby Steele Isn’t a Coon, Tom, or Respectable Negro…He’s a Black Supervillain!

PS: There is another great post from bloggers Aaron + Alaine over at A Political Season regarding black folks and our deepest fear: Part I - The Organizing & Collaboration Gap.

I'm Looking For Good News

I'm looking for good news about black people and need your help. If you know of a good news story with a political twist send it to me at: AfricanAmericanPoliticalPundit@gmail.com

Eliot Spitzer Is Back

H/T and shout out Spicy over at blogtalk Radio for the link.

Eliot Spitzer is speaking out, one year after he resigned in disgrace as New York's governor. He's taking on an old financial adversary in what some say is his attempt at a comeback.

"I failed in a very important way in my personal life, and I paid a price for that," Spitzer said in a broadcast interview. It was just over a year ago that Spitzer resigned from the most powerful political position in New York, brought down by a prostitution scandal. While he said he's still contrite, it also seems Spitzer is back for a second act. The former "Sheriff of Wall Street" has been taking shots at an old target, insurance giant AIG. When Spitzer was New York's attorney general, he battled with the company, forcing the resignation of its then CEO.

"I said AIG is the center of the web. The financial tentacles of this company is through every investment bank," Spitzer said.

Now AIG is caught in a controversy over bailouts and bonuses, but in an interview on CNN Spitzer said the bonuses are not the heart of the problem. It's AIG's payouts to other financial institutions. "Bonuses is a real issue. They touch us viscerally. The real structure at issue is the dynamic between AIG and counterparties," Spitzer said.

"When AIG originally received $80 billion, virtually all of it flowed to counterparties -- $12 billion into Goldman Sachs." After dropping out of the public eye for a year, Spitzer seems determined to be heard. "If I am asked and I can contribute to a very important conversation, I will do that as well," he said. "It is our right and obligations as citizens."

Spitzer was not charged in the prostitution scandal. The owner and manager of the escort service received prison sentences. More HERE

Week In Review

Here is a great "Week in Review" courtesy of Media Matters

AIG Bonus Controversy Dominates Media

As if news that AIG was handing out bonuses to executives despite having been bailed out by the Federal government wasn't bad enough, reports on the controversy this week only made matters worse. You'd think President Bush had no blame for the situation if you read reports in publications like Politico, USA Today or the Los Angeles Times -- all of which omitted any mention of the Bush Treasury Department's work with the Federal Reserve in carrying out last year's bailouts and bought AIG stock notwithstanding the existence of these bonus contracts. Worse yet, in reporting on emails obtained by Fox Business Network, Fox News' Jon Scott at no point noted that the emails implicate the Bush administration in approving a $40 billion bailout for AIG without requiring AIG to nullify its employee bonus contracts. Additionally, conservative leader Rush Limbaugh and a host of other right-wing media player ratcheted up the rhetoric standing up for AIG against what they described as "mob rule" while also falsely claiming that no Republican voted for the TARP bailout or the bonuses. Others in the press corps falsely asserted that President Obama's recovery bill required the bonuses "to stay in place."

Palin is a Village Idiot

File this Under Palin is a village idiot. Maybe black conservatives and their ignorant supporters love Palin, but not this Political Pundit.

Taegan Goddard at Political Wire.com has posted Irony of the Day. They are talking about how Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), who has a child with Down Syndrome, today blasted President Obama's attempt at a joke which insulted people with special needs.

Alaska Democrats say Palin is making 'narcissistic' decisions.

Said Palin: "I was shocked to learn of the comment made by President Obama about Special Olympics. This was a degrading remark about our world's most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world."

Teagan Goddard notes, This comes on the same day that Palin refused to accept over 30% of the federal economic stimulus money being offered to Alaska. According to the Anchorage Daily News, "the biggest single chunk of money Palin is turning down is about $170 million for education, including money that would go for programs to help... special needs students."

AAPP: I have worked with people with learning disabilities and challenges for many years, I was disappointed with the President's comment as well, however, Palin is a political hypocrite, should shut her mouth and learn how to take care of her own children, including her teen aged daughter.

UPDATE: Now Palin wants discussion on stimulus funds

What do you think about Palin?

Friday, March 20, 2009

Video of President Barack on the Tonight Show

Check out the full interview of President Barack on the Tonight Show 03.19.2009

What did you think of his appearance on the Tonight Show?

Geithner should be fired!

Well it looks like we have the smoking gun. It's Mr. Geithner who created all of this mess. Check out what the NY Times reported Back on Feb 9, 2009:

In the end, Mr. Geithner largely prevailed in opposing tougher conditions on financial institutions that were sought by presidential aides, including David Axelrod, a senior adviser to the president, according to administration and Congressional officials.

Mr. Geithner, who will announce the broad outlines of the plan on Tuesday, successfully fought against more severe limits on executive pay for companies receiving government aid.

He resisted those who wanted to dictate how banks would spend their rescue money. And he prevailed over top administration aides who wanted to replace bank executives and wipe out shareholders at institutions receiving aid.

Because of the internal debate, some of the most contentious issues remain unresolved.
On Monday evening, new details emerged after lawmakers were briefed on the plan.
It intends to call for the creation of a joint Treasury and Federal Reserve program, at an initial cost of $250 billion to $500 billion, to encourage investors to acquire soured mortgage-related assets from banks. In the end, Mr. Geithner largely prevailed in opposing tougher conditions on financial institutions that were sought by presidential aides, including David Axelrod, a senior adviser to the president, according to administration and Congressional officials.

Mr. Geithner, who will announce the broad outlines of the plan on Tuesday, successfully fought against more severe limits on executive pay for companies receiving government aid.
He resisted those who wanted to dictate how banks would spend their rescue money. And he prevailed over top administration aides who wanted to replace bank executives and wipe out shareholders at institutions receiving aid.

It looks like Mr. Geithner is acting like the former FEMA Secretary under the Bush administration. This is truly Barack Obamas "your doing a hell of a job brownie moment."

Giive me a break, now President Obama has seriously asserted on the late-night talk show that Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was doing an “outstanding job.”

Remember the Federal disaster chief Michael Brown, He was called an idiot, an incompetent and worse. I'm reminded that someone said of Michael Brown, ‘Give me a better idiot’
"Take whatever idiot they have at the top of whatever agency and give me a better idiot," "Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just don't give me the same idiot."

I say, President Obama, ‘Give me a better idiot’ "Take whatever idiot they have at the top of whatever agency and give me a better idiot." "Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just don't give me the same idiot."

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Should Barack Obama Drink Beer In Public?

President Barack Obama was a surprise visitor to a theWizards, Chicago Bulls game Friday night. The President arrived just before the start of the match, sitting in a standard seat among some very surprised Wizards fans. As the game progressed, the President even purchased a beer, which naturally he was pictured drinking. Nothing out of the ordinary so far, with the President enjoying a beer and game like millions of other Americans do. But the audacity of the President drinking beer and having an hour off on a Friday night! The nerve! We’ll that’s what some blogtalkradio callers thought. More HERE

Tax Them at 90%

H/T to the folks at CQ Politics who report while American International Group Inc.’s chief executive says the firm could recover millions in bonuses via voluntary means, that’s not slowing a legislative effort to recoup the money and shift the incentive-based pay structure traditionally used by financial institutions.

The House is scheduled to act Thursday on legislation (HR 1586) that would impose a 90 percent tax on bonuses given to highly paid employees not only of AIG, but of all recipients of more than $5 billion in federal bailout funds, a group expected to include about a dozen financial institutions, according to Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel, D-N.Y.

Read more: HERE

Related content from CQ Politics:

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

AIG Here We Go Again!

Here they go again!

As reported by the Chicago Sun Times and The Huffington Post,Eddie Liddy,CEO of American International Group, warned a congressional panel Wednesday of "dire consequences" if the bailed-out insurer is allowed to fail.

Liddy's warning came in response to questioning by Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Penn.), chairman of the Financial Services subcommittee, who asked Liddy if he fully understood the consequences of the decision to pay $165 million in bonuses to AIG executives.

"It may have jeopardized our ability to get a majority of this Congress to support further largess, to provide funds to prevent a recession, depression or meltdown," said Kanjorski. "Are you aware that that's the consequence of your decision?"

"I am, but I think there's also a question of another relevance," said Liddy. "If something happens to AIG and it goes bankrupt or goes belly up, and puts at risk all the money that has already been put into it, that also can have dire consequences." More HERE

AAPP: I agree with Jim Rogers who recently said, American International Group should be allowed to go bankrupt because keeping it and other sick financials alive on government support risks ruining the US economy, the legendary investor told CNBC. More HERE

It's time to let them sell their New York Headquarters Building. One has to wonder why Obama administrative officials sought to keep AIG bonuses.

Edward Libby, AIG, and Crimes Against Taxpayers

AAPP: You have to give it to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, he calls it the way he sees it. As reported by the Iowa Independent, In and interview, Grassley lambasted executives of sinking insurance giant AIG for taking large bonuses after receiving taxpayer bailout money. He spoke admiringly of what he said was a Japanese custom of committing suicide after a significant public failure.

“I would suggest the first thing that would make me feel a little bit better toward them if they’d follow the Japanese example and come before the American people and take that deep bow and say ‘I’m sorry,’” Grassley said, “and then either do one of two things: resign or go commit suicide. And in the case of the Japanese, they usually commit suicide before they make any apology.”

Now, as reported by The Huffington Post, The chairman and CEO of American International Group acknowledged Wednesday to congressional interrogators that some of the insurance giant's executive bonuses are "distasteful."

"We are meeting today at a high point of public anger," Edward Liddy, chairman and chief executive officer, conceded in testimony prepared for a hearing by a House Financial Services panel. "I share that anger," he said.

AAPP: Get this, the AIG Chief Executive Admits 'Mistakes,' Touts Progress - Right!

The fact is the looting goes far beyond bonuses. Edward Liddy should do one of two things as Grassley said: "resign or go commit suicide. And in the case of the Japanese, they usually commit suicide before they make any apology.” Then we should surtax him and others. But, guess what does it make a difference? The Feds are planning to throw another $30 Billion Into AIG Black Hole.

Meanwhile, get this, as reported by The Huffington Post,

The Treasury Department demanded that Sen. Chris Dodd insert exemptions into the stimulus bill that allowed bailout recipients to receive bonuses, the Connecticut Democrat said on Wednesday.

According to Dodd, officials at Treasury expressed concern that if the government were to prohibit payouts, it risked being sued by companies like AIG, which had contracts stipulating that bonuses were to be paid.

At the urging of Treasury officials, Dodd modified a clause he had previously inserted into the stimulus that prohibited bonuses from being issued by bailed-out companies. An exemption was added to allow bonuses that applied to in-place contracts. More HERE

Maybe we can do something. Let's sign some petitions or something! Or are going to wait for the next $170 billion in taxpayer money to these crooks, so that they can funnel $165 million of it into bonuses to its incompetent executives?