Guns, Tasers, The National NAACP and leadership

Finally after over a dozen years of dis-organization and disarray the National office of the NAACP is doing something pro-active and productive. Yes, finally, the NAACP President has Called for National Legislation Following Police Shooting at Church Day Care.

The blogs Tasered While Black and Electrocuted While Black have been following the Tasering of black folks for many months. I'm glad to see that the National NAACP is following behind many local NAACP branches and is showing a faint sign of leadership. The NAACP leadership has decided to use the proven approach of viral internet advocacy used by The Color of Change, The afrospear.

As reported on the NAACP website, few weeks ago, police shot and killed Mark Anthony Barmore, a 23-year-old African American man in Rockford, Illinois. Eyewitnesses say that outside the church day care center, Mr. Barmore encountered two police officers who apparently were looking for him on an allegation of domestic violence. He ran inside the church, and the officers followed him, guns drawn, without a warrant. After Mr. Barmore entered a small boiler room, the police demanded he come out. He slowly exited the room with his hands up. Then, witnesses say, police shot him -- in front of children in the day care center. While he lay face down, police shot him three more times in the back.

AAPP: One has to wonder why it took the NAACP so long to address this issue. I reported on this deadly daycare/church shooting long ago.

NAACP President Jealous is leading a delegation of NAACP leaders and staff to launch the NAACP’s investigation into the police killing and is calling for a Department of Justice investigation. The protest rally in Rockford with Reverend Jesse Jackson, President Jealous and State and local NAACP leaders on September 12th will be followed by a major mobilization on October 3rd.

The NAACP has also been working with Congress, and specifically House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (MI) to enact legislation to mandate official standards for the use of force for every law enforcement agency from federal marshals to rank and file cops on the beat.

AAPP: This is great news, it would be great if the National NAACP held sessions with the Afrospear, Color of Change and other grassroots groups who have been working on the issue of standards for the use of force. But then again, why would I expect the NAACP to do something like that? That would be to much like right.

As the NAACP notes: Currently, there are as many use-of-force policies as there are law enforcement agencies, and there are as many interpretations of those policies as there are law enforcement officers. This lack of uniformity is one of the core reasons behind the tragedy in Rockford and in too many other police shootings across the Nation.

Note: It's interesting that the NAACP is addressing this issue. But there is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. The NAACP should be looking at how the Obama stimulus spending has supported the gun industry.

As reported by The Chicago Sun Times, from the perspective of police departments -- not to mention gunmakers -- the Obama administration may go down as one of the most gun-friendly in history. Police departments are using the stimulus bill to boost their arsenals with shotguns, handguns, and assault rifles.

Among the general public, a record 1 million guns were sold nationwide in August alone, rebuffing expectations that, after 10 months, the post-Obama election gun-buying spree would abate. U.S. gunmaker Smith & Wesson on Wednesday reported a 30 percent rise in sales in the first quarter.

But as police departments order new firearms using stimulus funds, there's more than a little irony in the fact that a president whom the gun industry looked upon with suspicion has put forward a federal program from which gunmakers are benefitting. More HERE

Hey, NAACP need some help. Call me. I won't be making anymore calls to you. You see, I have been calling my local branch for over a year to give my support -without a return phone call...

African American Political Pundit is a 2008 DNCC Credentialed Democratic National Convention Blogger. He is also a BlackTalk Radio and BlogTalkRadio host, who shares this blog platform with others interested in candid, honest, reciprocal conversation about political and social issues impacting our diverse American communities.

Join in on the conversation every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10:00 PM EST on African American Political Pundit's "Political Slugfest Show."

If you can handle the truth!

Ohio Valley Freedom Fighters, Combat Gear, and Black Folks

As reported back in November, a week after the election of Barack Obama, white gun buyers across the country are voting with their feet, flocking to gun stores to stock up on assault rifles, handguns and ammunition. Some say they were worried that the incoming Obama administration will attempt to reimpose the ban on assault weapons that expired in 2004. Others fear the loss of their right to own handguns. A few say they are preparing to protect themselves in the event of, get this... a race war. More HERE

In Louisville, Kentucky, two young men in camouflage fatigues roamed the crowd today trying to recruit new members for their militia called the Ohio Valley Freedom Fighters. They bear signs reading "AK-47s: today's pitchfork" and "Quit worrying. Start your militia training today."

In Jackson, Michigan, a young man didn't need a sign. He was carrying the real thing: A loaded AK-47 assault rifle and two loaded handguns.

"I don't want a revolution. I don't want a civil war," he said. "But it is a possibility. It's there as an option, as a last resort." More HERE

A gun dealer displays several US-made assault-style rifles inside his Texas gun shop. (Reuters: Jeff Mitchell)

Now we learn An Ohio Valley Freedom Fighters have listed on their website the following combat gear.

Suggested Gear

The 72 Hour Combat Load

Rifle
Should be semi-auto, but rule number one of a gun fight is: "Have a Gun." Should be of a common caliber e.g.. 7.62x39, .308win, .223rem. Military surplus are also perfectly acceptable, but you should bear in mind that ammunition may well become scarce, and 8mm and .303Brit should be well stocked if you opt for one of these calibers.

Group Standards, { if possible, in order }

a) AK47 or Clone 7.62 x 39

b) HK91/63 or Clone .308

c) SKS 7.62 x 39

d) AR15 / M16 or Clone

Sidearm
If you choose a secondary weapon, it should be of a major caliber. 9mm, .40S&W, or .45acp for semi-autos, and .38spl/.357mag for revolvers are going to be the most common. Be sure to choose a reliable handgun with a well established reputation. A 1911, 92FS, Glock, or Smith&Wesson would serve you well (as would many others).

Please indulge me while I go off on this tangent, and speak a few words about weapons. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for when it comes to arms. Good guns are not cheap and cheap guns are not good. While you may find the occasional steal of a deal, this is the exception and not the rule. Since you are buying a gun to defend your rights and quite possibly your life, isn't it in your best interest to procure the very best rifle/pistol/shotgun you can afford? If you only plan to spend $100 on your main battle rifle, don't be surprised if it shoots like a $100 rifle. It bothers me to no end when I hear well meaning Patriots complaining about the cost of arms. I am not a dealer, so I have no vested interest in the profit margin of the guns we buy, but I do have a vested interest in preserving my own hide. If you are currently without arms, and you are looking at buying that $60 Mauser, that is fine (remember, rule number one of gunfighting "have a gun."), but you should be saving your pennies to buy something more substantial. I understand all to well that Patriots are more often than not, 'not men of means.' But, even if you are getting by on bread and water, you can still squirrel away funds for that MBR...I did.

Ammunition
You should carry as much ammunition as you can comfortably carry. Obviously, weight will be a concern, and while .308win has more punch than .223rem, you will not be able to carry as much of it. Most folks will carry about 200-300 rounds on their combat load. A bare minimum of 1,000 rounds should be on hand. If you opt for a sidearm, you should have at least 3-5 magazines (or speedloaders) for your sidearm in your 72 hour kit.
(On hand means not taken out and shot up unless it is being immediately replaced)

Weapons Cleaning Gear
For obvious reasons. If you don't keep it clean, it ain't gonna work.

LBE
(Load Bearing Equipment)
LBE is what you use to carry your stuff. It is not your pack. Generally it will consist of a belt with suspenders, and you will attach your canteens, magazine pouches/ammo bandoliers, first aid kits, sidearm, etc. Most folks opt for the USGI issued cartridge belt and H/Y Harness or the USGI load bearing vest. There are a multitude of different types of vests, harnesses, and the like (too many to list here). Basically, you need something to carry the gear that you need to have immediately on hand and still keep your hands free. One excellent resource for LBE is Stubby Gear.

Pack
You may well be on the move for a while, so you will need to have something to keep your equipment (that isn't on your LBE) in. Most folks use the USGI A.L.I.C.E. (All Purpose Individual Carrying Equipment) pack or the new MOLLE pack. A simple book bag will work in a pinch. Stubby Gear also has several excellent packs.

Boots
Be good to your feet and they'll be good to you. Uncle Sugar spends millions of dollars to figure out what boot is best (for the smallest amount of money) for his soldiers. He knows full well that if his fighters feet are fubar (say that 3 times fast) they simply can't fight. Having said that, any boot worn by our combat troops will be more than sufficient. Don't expect to last very long if you plan to fight in a pair of sneakers. Go get a good pair of boots, and don't skimp.

Water
Without it, you'll go tits up and die, it is that simple. You'll need something to carry it in. USGI canteens can be had for less than $5 each, but they only hold 1 quart, and you can normally fit two of them on your LBE along with all of your other goodies. There are also hydration packs available (Camel Backs). These can be had in a variety of capacities. I have seen them available in sizes up to 72 ounces.

Shelter
Tent/Sleeping bag. Some may opt to sleep under the stars and save the weight, but if you are in a harsh climate like the desert, a hooch (tent) will keep you from getting baked (it can be used as a lean to during the day to provide shade) or in the north during the long cold winters, a decent sleeping bag will keep you from getting frostbite or hypothermia.

Food
You should have at least a 3 day supply in your 72 hour battle pack. MREs are expensive, but they will last a long time. Canned food is cheaper, but it heavier than an MRE. Another option is Coast guard survival rations. A three day supply of food is about the size of one MRE. They taste like a sugar cookie, and you need about a quart of water to wash down one ration, but they will keep you alive and well nourished.

Uniform
Most militia folk (at least most of those in organized groups) wear some manner of uniform. Generally they wear some manner of BDU (camouflage utilities) with the pattern determined by their AO (Area of Operations). This is not to say that you MUST use BDUs. Anything that you would wear to hunt in the field with would be perfect for militia use. If you are in an urban environment, street clothes are the best cammo. The point is to blend in using durable clothing that can stand up to extended wear, and is comfortable.

Vietnam or Commercial "TIGER STRIPE" is our uniform

Knife
For Combat purposes this should be of the fixed blade variety, not a folder. A 5" blade seems to be the unspoken standard. The USMC issued K-BAR fills this requirement and is relatively inexpensive.

Compass
Preferably the lensetic, military style with some manner of luminous dial. Along with a compass you should have topographical maps of your AO and surrounding areas.

Entrenching Tool
An E-Tool, if you don't know is a shovel. They are available at any camping store or military surplus outlet. If you buy from a military surplus store, opt for the more current tri-folder, vice the WWII style with the wooden handle. The tri-folders are more durable and compact.

Flashlight
Any size or style, just make sure that it has a second red colored lens to use at night in tactical situations. (just remember, even a red lens covered flashlight looks like a Christmas Tree in Night Vision Goggles).

First Aid Kit
This is a must. It should contain (at a minimum); Sterile Gauze pads, antibiotic creme, a cravat, any over the counter pain medication, a suture kit, anything else you think you may need. Ready-made F/A kits are available at most camping stores, and surplus shops.

Additional Gear - (Get this stuff as your budget allows)

Field Jacket & Liner
The most common is the USGI M65 field jacket, it is available in woodland and desert cammo patterns. If you got the cash, you may want to look at the Gortex versions of the jackets. The M65 with the liner will keep you quite warm, the Gortex will do the same and keep you dry at the same time.

30 Day Food Supply
Hopefully you will have a base of operations, because there is no way you are going to be able to carry a30 day food supply on your back. Same as the 3 day supply for your 72 hour kit, it should be nonperishable, nothing that requires refrigeration.

Ammo Cache
1,000 rounds for your primary weapon. This is a bare minimum. You should have as much as you can afford, and keep adding to it whenever your budget permits. If you opt for a sidearm, you should keep plenty of ammo on hand for that too.

Cold/Wet Weather Gear
For the cold, you'll want to be sure you have some decent long johns to wear under your "uniform," Along with a good pair of polypro socks to keep your feet warm and dry. For wet weather, you can get your paws on the old USGI "gumby suits" These are a rubbery rain proof parka and pants set. If you have the money, you may want to look at the Gortex parka and pant sets.

Hygiene Gear
Ya gotta keep clean, otherwise you are going to come down with nasty diseases. Soap, razors, shaving creme, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. These are not optional things that are nice to have on hand, they are essential pieces of gear that you absolutely must have in order to fulfill the mission.

Binoculars
Admit it, your eyes aren't as good as you think they are. You need a good set of Binos to be able to identify friendlies and enemies at a distance. Stieners are probably the best you can get, but you can get a decent set from Wal-Mart or similar stores for less than $60.

Body Armor
Be it a USGI Flak Jacket, or a Level III Vest, body armor is worth its weight in gold for obvious reasons.

GPS
GPS (Global Positioning System) is a piece of electronic gear that uses satellites (at least three) to triangulate you position on the Earth. This is a God send in Land Navigation. Since it is electronic, it is not foolproof, and does not replace your compass and topo maps.

Helmet
Same as body armor, kevlar or steel pot, worth it's weight in Gold. Get one.

Water Filtration System
If you are pulling your water from a river and not your kitchen spigot, you need some way to get all of the unknown nasties out of it.

Night Vision Equipment
If you decide to buy night vision equipment, be it goggles, or rifle scopes, don't skimp. Be sure to get 3rd generation technology. 1st generation plain ol' sucks, 2nd isn't much better, but 3rd generation actually works.

Spare Rifle/Pistol Parts
The loudest sound on the battlefield is not a bomb going off or the belch of a machine-gun, but the unmistakable "click" of a hammer dropping on a firing pin without the expected crack of the bullet breaking the sound barrier. You should know your weapon like the back of your hand, and you should know it's weaknesses, and what parts are prone to failure, and have those parts on hand.Mi

Gear Source - Ohio Valley Freedom Fighters

AAPP: What are these white hate groups planning? It seems to me the Obama Administration needs to address home grown terrorism in our country. The American people want us out of Iraq and Afghanistan. We have to deal with home grown terrorist on American soil. Our government needs to address these so-called malitias here in America. If the Obama administration refuses to address this soon... Well... Maybe black folks should be using this list as a resource to protect ourselves from some crazies.

White men demonstrate against Obama at the capital today.

The right wing crazies are supporting Joe Wilson and other right wing extremist.

Maybe, we need to listen to a nation and what it is saying.

What do you think?

White Anti Obama Movement, Guns and Black Folks

Let's call it, like it is. A 99.9 % White Anti Obama movement marched to the U.S. Capitol today to march in protest Obama health care reform, higher taxes and what they see as out-of-control government spending. One has to wonder where these folks were for eight years when George W. Bush was detroying America? I guess Castro is right.

The conservative advocacy group made its way from California, hosting rallies in about 30 cities. CNN has full Coverage.

"Obamacare Condense Cream of Crap soup" reads a sign in Sparks, Nevada. In Dallas, Texas, a darker mood prevails. A homemade sign with "Obama Lies" features a bold, black swastika.

As the tour moves on, Nazi imagery becomes more prominent -- and sometimes confused. One sign at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, has Obama's portrait sandwiched between pictures of Adolf Hitler and communist philosopher Karl Marx. In Canton,Ohio, Obama and Hitler adorn a sign reading "Hitler made great speeches, too."

As reported by CNN, The Tea Party Express tour has been free of violence, but occasional outbursts of vitriolic hatred toward the president combined with some menacing outward appearances often overshadow the more moderate tea partyers. iReport.com: Weigh in on health care

In Louisville, Kentucky, two young men in camouflage fatigues roamed the crowd trying to recruit new members for their militia called the Ohio Valley Freedom Fighters. They bear signs reading "AK-47s: today's pitchfork" and "Quit worrying. Start your militia training today."

In Jackson, Michigan, a young man didn't need a sign. He was carrying the real thing: A loaded AK-47 assault rifle and two loaded handguns.

"I don't want a revolution. I don't want a civil war," he said. "But it is a possibility. It's there as an option, as a last resort." More HERE

AAPP: I wonder when President Obama and his administration will take a bolder stance on these fools carrying guns at these so called peaceful rallies? It's time for the Justice Department to stop these reckless fools. But that is just one African American Political Pundit's opinion. Then again, check out the recommended arms that white groups are stock piling against black folks. Maybe, just maybe black folks should start arming ourselves - JUST IN CASE.

What is your opinion?

This whole situation is so disgusting its laughable. I wonder what Richard Pryor would say about public option health care and guns? We can get a sense of that HERE.

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African American Political Pundit is a 2008 DNCC Credentialed Democratic National Convention Blogger. He is also a BlackTalk Radio and BlogTalkRadio host, who shares this blog platform with others interested in candid, honest, reciprocal conversation about political and social issues impacting our diverse American communities.

Join in on the conversation every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10:00 PM EST on African American Political Pundit's "Political Slugfest Show."

If you can handle the truth!

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, States Rights, Health Care and The Poor

The bigots keep on coming out. From St. Paul, Minn to the deep south, the morons are coming out to say, if a federal health care reform plan passes, it will not apply to their state. Take for instance Gov. Tim Pawlenty who has raised the possibility of not providing health care services to residents of his state (AAPP: probably poor people), suggesting that Minnesota might raise the issue of state's rights to prevent some of the proposed changes from going through.

As reported by Public Radio, During a conference call hosted by the Republican Governor's Association Thursday night, a caller asked whether states could invoke the 10th Amendment to the Constitution to stop President Obama's health care reform plan.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. On Thursday, he said he may invoke the 10th Amendment to the Constitution to keep Minnesota from fully participating in proposed health care reform. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

Pawlenty, who is considered a potential challenger to Obama in 2012, said it's a possibility.

"Depending on what the federal government comes out with here, asserting the 10th Amendment may be a viable option, but we don't know the details," said Pawlenty. "We can't get the president to outline what he does or doesn't support in any detail. So we'll have to see. I would have to say that it's a possibility."

Pawlenty also said he hopes Republican governors will be more assertive about state's rights, and even bring up lawsuits to challenge the federal government.

But on Friday, Pawlenty backtracked from those statements. He said he isn't exploring a lawsuit, and he doesn't want Minnesota to secede from the Union. Instead, he said the idea of state's rights should be discussed. More HERE

This guy Gov. is a moron. Good to see he is not running again, at least for Governor. Could you see him as president of the United States? Mr. double talk.

Unemployment and blacks - When white America is in recession, black America is in an economic depression

File this under: Black folk Continue To Get Screwed!

Get this, as reported by Brian Williams at The Militant, In August the official unemployment rate rose to 9.7 percent as companies slashed jobs for the 20th straight month. This was up from 9.4 percent a month earlier, the Labor Department reported. According to preliminary government figures, 216,000 jobs were cut.

The broader unemployed and underemployed rate—which includes 9.1 million workers forced to accept only part-time hours and 2.3 million the government doesn’t count, claiming they haven’t looked for work over the past four weeks—rose to 16.8 percent. That’s more than 26 million workers.

Among the 14.9 million officially listed as unemployed last month, 5 million have been out of work for more than half a year, many soon facing a halt to unemployment benefit payments. The official unemployment rate has doubled over the past two years, with employers eliminating some 6.9 million jobs since December 2007. “Most economists expect the rate to top 10 percent in coming months and stay over 9 percent through 2010,” reported the Wall Street Journal.

Get this, The August unemployment rate for teenagers rose to 25.5 percent, the highest since the government began keeping these records in 1948. Unemployment among Blacks is 15.1 percent. There is more, Labor Department figures show that in 19 cities, the official unemployment rate is at 15 percent or higher. El Centro, California, and Yuma, Arizona, are among the highest with unemployment rates of 30 percent and 26 percent, respectively.

Its getting bad folks. Whirlpool is one of several big companies making major job cuts. The world’s largest appliance maker, which announced August 28 it will close its Evansville, Indiana, plant, eliminating 1,100 jobs.

American Airlines announced in early September it will furlough 228 flight attendants and put 244 more on involuntary leave.

“The number of private-sector jobs is now slightly below the level of August 1999,” reported the Washington Post, “meaning that a decade has passed without any net creation of non-government jobs.”

The average workweek is 33.1 hours, making it increasingly difficult for those with jobs to make ends meet. The number of people turning to food stamps “has surged as their hours and wages erode,” stated the Financial Times. “Some 40 percent of the families now on food stamps have ‘earned income,’ up from 25 percent two years ago.”More HERE

Get this, as reported by Eamon Javers at Politico, The president’s chief economic adviserunemployment rate could stay “unacceptably high” for years to come — a situation that would seriously complicate Barack Obama’s ability to convince Americans that he’s beating back the recession. warned Friday that the nation’s

“The level of unemployment is unacceptably high,” National Economic Council Director Larry Summers said Friday. “And will, by all forecasts, remain unacceptably high for a number of years.”

Summers’ comments came in a briefing with reporters ahead of Obama’s speech in New York City on Monday, marking the one-year anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, an event widely regarded as having created a panic that caused the global economic meltdown.

Even with his gloomy forecast for unemployment, Summers said the economy is getting better and made the case that Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package and other fiscal rescue steps headed off even more economic pain. Read more: HERE

AAPP: So, When white America is in recession, black America is in an economic depression. Now the question is can the Barack Obama administration do anything to help the Americans most hurt by the recession - Black folks. Or is it on us to get our hustle on?

Homeland security, 911 and Morons

Well, I'm back after slowing down a bit from blogging. Now that I'm back I can't believe what is going on in America. Check out what happen on 911 memorial activities in Washington, D.C.

Get this, as WaPo reports, It has been eight years since the terrorists struck, but the fog of war has yet to dissipate.

Check out what WaPo had to say: Sept. 11, 2009, 10:04 a.m.: President Obama was returning to the White House from a 9/11 memorial event at the Pentagon. CNN was broadcasting from the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville, Pa., when anchor Heidi Collins broke in with alarming news -- the Coast Guard had "engaged" a boat on the Potomac near the Pentagon.

"We have seen at least one boat come up the Potomac and challenge the Coast Guard," reported CNN's Jeanne Meserve, as the network showed a gloomy, long-range image of the river with the caption "Coast Guard fires on boat on Potomac River." The Coast Guard, Meserve said, "sent a transmission saying they expended 10 rounds."

Gunfire on the Potomac! Near the Pentagon! On 9/11! Federal Aviation Administration officials, watching the scene on CNN, ordered a ground stop at nearby Reagan National Airport. About 10 police cars sped to the scene, between the Memorial and 14th Street bridges. Officials at Coast Guard headquarters didn't seem to know what was going on.

The media-industrial complex began to turn its gears. Seven minutes after the CNN report, the Reuters news service issued a bulletin: "Coast Guard Fired on Suspicious Boat on Potomac River in Central Washington, DC.--CNN."

Not to be outdone, CNN arch-nemesis Fox News interrupted its broadcast with the "breaking news" that a "U.S. Coast Guard ship of some type fired on what is considered a suspicious boat in the Potomac River." By that time, CNN had Bush administration homeland security adviser Frances Fragos Townsend on air, talking about how "it is very unusual."

Unusual, indeed. Particularly because there were no intruders, no suspicious boats, no guns and no shots. After half an hour of chaos, red-faced Coast Guard officials explained that they had undertaken a routine training exercise -- the sort that occur on the river about four times a week.

Somebody overheard the Coast Guard's radio communication and -- evidently missing the words "this is a drill" and the words "bang, bang, bang" in the place of actual gunfire -- mistook it for the real thing.

The result was the biggest government-induced security scare since the Pentagon flew an Air Force One look-alike low over Manhattan for a photo op earlier this year. More HERE

AAPP: I agree with WaPo, Homeland security is like a group of Keystone Cops. There sure must be run by a bunch of Morons over at homeland security.



This Keystone Cop should be fired! The operations commander should be fired.