Boston's Black Newspaper, Bay State Banner Suspends Publication

My hometown Boston newspaper, The Bay State Banner has suspended publication citing a loss of ad revenues. Unfortunately as reported by the Maynard Institute Boston's Bay State Banner has stopped the presses.



AAPP: The weekly Bay State Banner is closing after 44 years. It's a damn shame that President Barack Obama's Stimulus Plan helped all the big corporations, banks and investment corporations, and did nothing for black businesses and newspapers like the Bay state Banner. The Bay state Banner is one of the few Black Newspapers that has covered the impact of Black bloggers."

I'm reminded of the article by Talia Whyte who wrote:

Today, through the use of the Internet and new media tools like blogs, YouTube and Twitter, everyone can make their voices heard. An increasing share of the African American community is taking the opportunity to do just that, including a number based here in Boston.

Many are choosing to use blogs as a medium for mobilizing around political and social justice issues. According to a 2007 study conducted by Brown University researcher Antoinette Pole, 85 percent of blacks use their blogs to engage in political advocacy and to raise money for charitable causes.

Though there has as yet been no scholarly follow-up to measure the effect of Barack Obama’s landmark presidential campaign on the black blogosphere, the explosion of online conversations about race in America and in American politics suggests that the percentage may have significantly increased.

The presidential campaign also helped some black bloggers become “cyber-celebrities.” Bloggers like Wain Bennett, the Philadelphia attorney behind Field Negro, Gina McCauley of the feminist site What About Our Daughters and Harvard graduate Baratunde Thurston, one of the founders of Jack & Jill Politics, have been featured in print and on air to offer their perspectives on the news of the day.

Recent political controversies in Boston have also been bantered about in the black blogosphere. On his popular blog African American Political Pundit, Roxbury native L.N. Rock covered closely — and sometimes harshly — the ongoing legal and financial woes of embattled former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson and City Councilor Chuck Turner. More HERE

As Bob Oakes at WBUR noted, The ink has dried on what could be the last edition of Boston’s only African-American community newspaper. The weekly Bay State Banner has suspended publication amidst falling advertising revenues after more than four decades in print. More HERE

In an undated photograph, Dr. Charles Steward stands near the entrance of The Guardian, the weekly newspaper started by his brother-in-law William Monroe Trotter. Steward and his wife, Maude, ran the paper after Trotter’s death in 1934. Maude died in 1957 and with Dr. Steward’s blessing, Melvin B. Miller started the Banner eight years later. (Banner File Photo)

Media outlets, and trade publications from across the region and around America are reporting about my hometown newspaper.

It's interesting to note that one of the white newspapers, is finding the need to harass the Banner staff.

Boston Phoenix reporter Adam Reilly says:

A few minutes ago, I reported that, according to Bay State Banner publisher Melvin Miller, the Bay State Banner is just ceasing publication, not going out of business.

Now a Banner advertiser forwards a recent message from Sandra Casagrand, the Banner's VP/marketing and Miller's wife. Here it is:

I’m really sorry to report but the Banner is not publishing after this week’s paper. We cannot remain in business in this economic climate and will continue to look for new owners/investors while we are closed so at some point it can reopen and continue on its mission. Until then, there is no Banner. Real bummer – and sorry for the inconvenience. [emph. added]

Based on this, I'd say, I guess Boston like the rest of this country is not the post-racial community Barack Obama visions. The Boston Phoenix reporter Adam Reilly needs to get a life, and allow the Bay State Banner to do what it needs to do.

I salute Melvin Miller and his team, they have done a remarkable job over the years for all people in the Boston/NewEngland area.

Again, I saluate Melvin Miller and his team. It's too bad The Boston Phoenix and others don't know how to do the same thing.

Palin Wants Michael Steele's Job,

AAPP: It's unfortunate that Michael Steele can't smell the coffee. Even as Politico.com reports on how Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said he would love to see Palin become more engaged in national politics. well connected Republican sources report that Palin would love to have Steele's job in order to rebuild her creds within the party. Micheal Steeles comments that he is“very excited about the opportunity to have Sarah Palin freed up now to engage across the country to help, you know, reorient the party and grow it.” may be an omen say some party leaders who wish to remain annonymous.

But then again, Steele is no dummy, Steele has already taken Palin 2012 'off the table' as reported by Politico's Ben Smith:

Buried a bit in Fox's interview:

"Not having talked to the governor, I take 2012 off the table right now simply because given everything she's going through personally, dealing with the financial mess that all these ludicrous investigations have put her and Todd in, at the moment, I think she's trying to focus on getting her house in order, her personal house in order," Steele told Fox. News.

Bigot Bill O'Reilly Likens Michael Jackson to O.J. Simpson

More Post Racial American Hatred from the Fox News program, The O’Reilly Factor, Bill O'Reilly was simply “fed up with all the adulation” over Michael Jackson. Hollywood Gossip.com reports on recent comments by bigoted Bill. Including the bigots observations on the day of MJ's memorial service:

• Jackson’s "incredible selfishness, spending hundreds of millions of dollars on himself while singing ‘We Are The World’" should make anyone nauseous.
• Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and other African-Americans are shamelessly “playing the race card” by claiming Jackson as one of their own in death.
• “If (Jackson) were a white guy,” his behavior would never be tolerated.
• “You don’t become an African-American icon” if you bleach your skin.

There is more this Bill O'Reilly bigot had to say:



It appears to me that color aroused bigotry and ignorance is reaching critical mass in America. From Black kids getting kicked out of Philadelphia pool because of their color to the ignorance involving former Marion Barry the news involving blacks is getting more bizzare.

Federal Ban on Needle Exchange and Barack Obama

According to Amerblog the Obama/White House Web site pledge to support repeal of the federal ban on needle exchange? It appears to be gone.



That is why:

A group of 26 AIDS activists chained themselves to each other in the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday morning, startling visitors, shutting down the landmark area and prompting their arrest by Capitol Police.

The group, which was protesting President Barack Obama’s failure to get rid of a ban on funding needle exchange programs, arrived at the Rotunda around 10 a.m.

Candidate Obama said he would help overturn the ban on needle exchange. President Obama reversed himself and banned federal funding for needle exchanges in his budget this year. Get this, 1. Obama promised to lift the ban. 2. The White House Web site reaffirmed the president's commitment to lifting the ban. 3. The White House Web site no longer reaffirms his commitment to lifting the ban. 4. The president now refuses to lift the ban. 5. The president actually affirmatively makes things worse by administratively supporting defending the ban. 6. The spokesman reiterates the president's support for lifting the ban, some day, once Congress gets around to it. More HERE

What do you think about the ban on needle exchange? is is something President Barack Obama needs to be addressing at this time?

Marion Barry, Ignorance, The City Paper and Bigotry

Now that the Stalking charges against Marion Barry have been dropped a Washington Newspaper, The Washington - City Paper is still degrading former Washington, DC Mayor Marion Barry. But then again, is he degrading himself? Check out the front page of the Washington City Paper.



And they consider themselves a newspaper? Now everyone on the internet, including, the Huffington Post are reporting how Marion Barry threw his girlfriend out of a hotel room for refusing oral sex.

Get this, The Washington City Papers' Web Servers has been under strain after the Marion Sex Barry Tapes emerged.

Local media outlets like WUSA9.com and the Washington Post.com are covering the story. The Salon.com is also reporting on how Marion Barry can't keep his nose clean.

The blog, Wonkette says, Marion Barry's Life Continues To Be Gross Public Joke.

The Washington, DC City Paper is attacking former Washington, DC Mayor Marion Barry once again. This time they are acting like a porno newsletter, rather than a real newspaper, with its ugly cover. Yes the City Paper is reporting on former Mayor and current Washington, DC Marion BarryDemocratic National Convention. The Washington newspaper reports that a black woman, Ms. Watts-Brighthaupt was working on Barry’s ultimately successful re-election campaign and traveled to the Barack Obama-crowning affair. For reasons that remain murky, she ended up assigned to the councilmember’s hotel room in the Crowne Plaza hotel. Once behind closed doors, Barry allegedly asked Watts-Brighthaupt to perform oral sex on him. Read More HERE Ward 8 Council member regarding an incident that is alleged to have occurred 10 months ago at the DNC Convention.

There is more... Prosecutors won't pursue charges against Marion Barry, while many residents in Washington, DC are questioning the City Paper's Lewd Cover.

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The $420 Billion Dollar Black Church Rip Off - Black Pulpit Pimps

There should be no question that the black community is full of Pulpit Pimps. and it looks like black folks have been giving there hard earned money away to these Pulpit Pimps.

Hat Tip: OregonSistah for the link.



A number of bloggers have been following these Pulpit Pimps for some time. Now we learn from The Harlem World Blog that a LiveSteez Investigative Report on the Black Church shows that Black churches, in aggregate, have collected more than $420 billion in tithes and donations since 1980.

As noted by The Harlem World Blog, with a Senate investigation into the finances of several mega churches underway, the “Prosperity Movement” has been the target of mounting criticism from inside and outside the Black Church. Specifically, the affluent ministries of The Reverend Creflo Dollar, Bishop Eddie Long and others have drawn the attention – and ire – of some clergy and laypeople alike.

Researcher Henry E. Felder’s study of Blacks’ donation habits demonstrated per capita spending of $508 per year in 2009 dollars. Another source, Tyler Media Services, estimated that Black Church revenue approached $17 billion in 2006.

One church, the Reverend Dollar’s World Changers, reported $69 million in 2006 income, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. More HERE

AAPP: Has the black community really benefited from the $420 Billion Dollar Black Church Rip Off? Just look around in black communities across America and you decide.

Attorney's Rip Off The Jackson Family - Get Control of Michael Jackson Assets

As reported by CNN, Executors of Jackson's will get control of his assets. Get this, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted control of Jackson's assets to the executors of his will. The executors -- John Branca, Jackson's longtime personal attorney, and John McClain, a music industry executive and longtime friend -- had sought immediate control of the entertainer's assets at a hearing before Judge Mitchell Beckloff. The men said control of the assets would allow them to tend to Jackson's numerous outstanding debts, legal cases and business obligations.
The judge appointed the men special administrators until another hearing on August 3.

He said they will be responsible for protecting the estate from immediate losses.

AAPP: My thought is this. These two attorney's may have conspired with the doctor to kill Michael so that they could take control Michael Jackson assets. Another effort to steal black wealth.

Attorneys for Michael Jackson's mother repeatedly objected to their appointment at Monday's court hearing. Get this, these two con men said, "It's our desire to do everything we can to carry out Michael Jackson's wishes and to maximize the estate," said Howard Weitzman, who spoke after the hearing on behalf of Branca. Weitzman issued a statement later calling the judge's ruling "the correct decision."

The fact of the matter is MJ's mother, Katherine Jackson, had applied to oversee her son's estate, but that was before the 2002 will all of a sudden surfaced. Her attorney, Burt Levitch, expressed concerns about McClain and Branca's financial leadership. oops... there goes more black wealth out of the hands of a black family. Well, lets hope the Jackson's don't allow this to happen.

Was Michael Jackson Killed Like MLK and Malcolm X?

Some people are saying the music of Michael Jackson was becoming too powerful. Michael Jackson may have been killed, Like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. As an example the prison version for Michael Jackson’s music video “They Don’t Really Care About Us” was banned before the video because Michael said ‘jew me sue me’ and ‘kike me, strike me’ and media took off those words.


What do you think?



Michael Jackson-They don't care about us(Prison Version) Don't watch it if you don't like Mj. Songtext: Skinhead,deadhead Everybody gone bad Situation aggravation Everybody allegation in the suite, on the news everybody dogfood Bang bang shot dead Everybodys gone mad All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us Beat me, hate me You can never break me Will me, thrill me You can never kill me Chew me, sue me Everybody do me Kick me kike me Dont you black or white me! All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us Tell me what has become of my life I have a wife and two children who love me I am the victim of police brutality,now Im tired of bein the victim of hate,youre rapin me of my pride Oh for Gods sake I look to heaven to ful- fill its prophecy... Set me free Skinhead,deadhead Everybody gone bad Trepidation,speculation Everybody allagation In the suite on the news Everybody dogfood Black man black male Throw the brother in jail All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us Tell me what has become of my rights Am I ivisible 'cause you ignore me? Your proclamation promised me free liberty now Im tired of bein the victim of shame They're throwinme in a class with a bad name I cant believe this is the land from which I came The government dont wanna see, but if Roosevelt was livin he wouldt let this be, no,no Skinhead,deadhead Everybody gone bad Situation,specultaion Everybody litigarion Beat me,bash me You can never trash me Hit me,kick me You can never get me All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us Some things in life they just dont wanna see But if Martin Luther was livin,he wouldnt let this be no,no Skinhead,deadhead Everybodys gone bad Situation Segregarion Everybody allagation In the suite on the news Everybody dogfood kick me,Kike me Dont you wrong or right me All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us All I wanna say is that They dont really care about us....

Assault on Black Women - Tasered While Black After her toddler Murdered

The Blog Tasered While Black has been following the Tasering of Black folks in America and Canada for some time. This blog and bloggers like Villager at Electronic Village, and Francis Holland at Electrocuted While Black have been been tracking the tasing of black folks for some time as well.

John McCusker / The Times-Picayune

But the tasering of a black teen-aged mother, after she learned her toddler son and a 6-year-old boy were killed inside an apartment at 945 East Monterey Court in Terrytown early this year goes beyond abuse of auhority and power. This particular post about the Tasering of a black Woman after she discovered her child was murdered is particularly disgusting. Yes a black mother of a 6-year-old boy killed in a triple murder in Terrytown, LA who was subdued with a Taser gun by Jefferson Parish deputies at the murder scene is just another in the continuerd attack on black women in America.

One has to wonder if this would happen in a middle class community and the women was of another color?

Handout Robert Claiborne, Jr,

Get this, as reported by ther newspaper NOLA, back in April 2009, The mother of Four Overstreet grew irate with authorities when she arrived at the Monterey Court apartment where the rampage happened before 4 a.m. Saturday. When she got physical, deputies stunned her to bring the situation under control, Col. John Fortunato said.

There is more:

Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office released the names of two other people killed in the brazen shooting, a teenage mother and her toddler son. An 11-year-old girl who was critically wounded hasn't yet been identified.

The dead mother was 19-year-old Domonique Sterling, Fortunato said. Her 23-month-old son was named Robert Claiborne Jr.

Sterling is said to have been babysitting Four Overstreet and the girl who survived the attack.

The incident happened around 3:43 a.m. in the 900 block of East Monterey Court, Fortunato said.

Authorities believe two unidentified men entered an apartment in the area and "executed" Sterling and baby Robert, he said. Wielding handguns, the men also shot young Four and the 11-year old girl in the home.

Four died at the hospital from a gunshot wound to the head.

Robert was also shot in the head. Sterling was shot in the back, and the 11-year-old suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body, Fortunato said.

Fortunato said witnesses told authorities that two men dressed in dark clothing kicked in the door and began firing. The teenager was found lying on the floor in the living room, while the two deceased children were found in a rear bedroom. Authorities also located crack cocaine and marijuana in the apartment.

One of the suspects, said to be in his 20s, wore a red bandana over his face, a black baseball cap and a dark hooded sweatshirt. MORE HERE

It's time to have Congressional Taser Hearings into Taser Torture in America. Sign the petition HERE.

Place a Congressional Taser Hearings Widget on your blog.

DID ISRAEL ATTACKS JUSTICE BOAT; KIDNAPS HUMAN RIGHTS WORKERS; CONFISCATES MEDICINE, TOYS AND OLIVE TREES

The haters at Fox News are saying - Cynthia Mckinney Does it Again, yet organization, ww.FreeGaza.org reports reports the Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (see below for a complete list of passengers). The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.

AAPP: oops, even the Washington Post is getting into the "Where Are They Now: Cynthia McKinney Strikes Again" dogma. I wonder whey there is so much hate towards former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney? At least the Green Party is following how a fiormer Congresswoman was detained.



“This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip,” said Cynthia McKinney, a former U.S. Congresswoman and presidential candidate. “President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that’s exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey.”

According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are “trapped in despair.” Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel ’s December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel ’s disruption of medical supplies.

“The aid we were carrying is a symbol of hope for the people of Gaza , hope that the sea route would open for them, and they would be able to transport their own materials to begin to reconstruct the schools, hospitals and thousands of homes destroyed during the onslaught of "Cast Lead”. Our mission is a gesture to the people of Gaza that we stand by them and that they are not alone" said fellow passenger Mairead Maguire, winner of a Noble Peace Prize for her work in Northern Ireland .

Just before being kidnapped by Israel , Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza Movement chairperson and delegation co-coordinator on this voyage, stated that: “No one could possibly believe that our small boat constitutes any sort of threat to Israel . We carry medical and reconstruction supplies, and children’s toys. Our passengers include a Nobel peace prize laureate and a former U.S. congressperson. Our boat was searched and received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before we departed, and at no time did we ever approach Israeli waters.”

ISRAELI PRISONER #88794

KIDNAPPED BY ISRAELI COMMANDOS

U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney was on her way to Gaza, Palestine when Israeli Commandos attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and forcibly dragged them toward Israel . The massive silence of both media and United States officials on this issue speaks volumes.

Go to freegaza.org

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

Call the White House (202) 456-1414

Call the State Department (202) 647-9572

Call, email or fax your elected Representatives in Washington , DC

CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Justice
tel: +972 2646 6666 or +972 2646 6340
fax: +972 2646 6357

CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
tel: +972 2530 3111
fax: +972 2530 3367

CONTACT Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
tel: +972 5 0620 3264 or +972 2670 5354
mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il

CONTACT the International Committee of the Red Cross to ask for their assistance in establishing the wellbeing of the kidnapped human rights workers and help in securing their immediate release!

Red Cross Israel
tel: +972 3524 5286
fax: +972 3527 0370
tel_aviv.tel@icrc.org

Red Cross Switzerland :
tel: +41 22 730 3443
fax: +41 22 734 8280

Red Cross USA :
tel: +1 212 599 6021
fax: +1 212 599 6009

Quitter and Rambler Sarah Palin Stepping Down

I was just watching the "they don't care about us "video by Michael Jackson, then I here about Gov. Palin stepping down as Gov. of Alaska. I guess Fox News must be hiring the rambling Gov.



Yes, in a rambling speech Sarah Palin said she plans to resign as governor of Alaska in a few weeks, KTUU-TV reported Friday. Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008, made the announcement at her home Friday morning, the station said. Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will take over at the end of the month, KTUU reported. More HERE

Get this, 'She didn't take any questions,' in making the announcement in Alaska. 'She did say in her speech that she feels she can be more effective working outside of government'. Get this, Palin said her decision came after much 'prayer and consideration'. She said she did not want to waste time on 'political blood sport' and cited public criticism of her actions and her family since the 2008 campaign.

AAPP: This is so bogus, maybe her daughter is having another baby, or maybe she had an out of marraige relatioship, like so many other Governor's or maybe Palin wants Micheal Steele's job? But, then again, she just don't care about the folks in Alaska, or for that matter, she just don't care about...

Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service announced

The Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service will take place on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at STAPLES Center in downtown Los Angeles, California and simulcast inside to Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE across the street. A limited number of free tickets to both venues will be made available for Michael Jackson's fans to attend.

Due to the expected overwhelming demand, the following procedures have been set to accommodate registration for the tickets. Please note that by registering for tickets to attend the Public Memorial Service, it does NOT guarantee the registrant tickets.

The opportunity to register for tickets begins at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, July 3, 2009 and ends at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday, July 4, 2009.

You can register to receive two tickets, that will be randomly distributed for either STAPLES Center or Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE to attend the Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service. Only one entry per individual will be accepted. Registering to attend the Public Memorial Service is NOT a guarantee of tickets. Two tickets will be issued to each randomly selected attendee. Offer valid to residents of the United States only. More HERE

Diprivan Found In House - Michael Jackson May Have Been Murdered

Law enforcement sources have told ABC News they discovered the powerful sedative propofol in the home where pop icon Michael Jackson's suffered a fatal cardiac arrest last month.

The drug was just one of many among the pharmacopeia found in his Holmby Hills home. Officials have previously said that they believe the star was addicted to a daily dose of the pain medications OxyContin and Demerol and that Jackson was injected with Demerol shortly before his death June 25. More HERE The Powerful sedative found in Michael Jackson's home.

AEG Video of last Michael Jackson Concert - Michael Jackson rehearsal video NEW RELEASE 6 - 23 Staples Center AEG Live "This Is It" concert

Obama Fights For Gay Rights while Blacks Get Ethnic Cleansing of Core Cities

I'm a supporter of both gay and Black rights, but not the type of gay rights that would cause a gay Duke U. official to attempts to sell Black 5-Year-Old Son for Sex.

I just don't get how President Barack Obama is so willing to reassure gays in an outreach to gay rights groups, but he has failed to outreach to his own African American communities across America regarding black ethnic cleansing of core cities in America. The gay community is quick to bemoan the White House and now, as reported by Washington Post writer Richard Shear writes, President Obama opened the doors of the White House to hundreds of gay and lesbian leaders yesterday, continuing his cautious outreach to a constituency that has loudly criticized his efforts on its behalf. I guess the afrospear blogger Asabagna is right to ask the question is Gay the new Black!?

In an event in the East Room marking the 40th anniversary of the riots surrounding New York's Stonewall Inn, where gay patrons rose up against a police raid in Greenwich Village, Obama sought to reassure guests that he had not abandoned the issues important to them. He also drew a parallel between the progress gays and lesbians have made in recent decades and the struggles of black Americans to win equality.

"The truth is, when these folks protested at Stonewall 40 years ago, no one could have imagined that you or, for that matter, I would be standing here today," Obama said, promising to continue to push to overturn several laws that are anathema to gay activists. More HERE

AAPP says: It seems that many gays have forgetten the Bush years and now want to hate on Obama for inaction. It's interesting the President has not opened the doors of the White House to hundreds of the new crop of black leaders and black bloggers who have also been "concerned"of his efforts on its behalf.

As an example many black bloggers and black leaders have been concerned with the up-surge of hate crimes in America, the lack of a Marshall Plan for Black American urban core, and the ethnic cleansing or re-gentrification of black communities across America. I'm concerned like many others about Barack's Charter Schools failed bi-partisan policy. I have also been concerned with the emerging political and domestic terrorism against blacks and jews. The fact of the matter is Black folks think race relations have gotten worse since Obama took office. There are some bloggers who wonder out loud if, after six months, is President Barack Obama good for Black people? Judging from some black bloggers, Obama Gets an "F" from Black Agenda Report.

oops... How dare the Black Agenda Report and other bloggers talk about these issues, we are suppose to let Black rights just slip away... Right? Well at least the hookers are not bowing to gentrification.

BET Tribute and Awards Sucked!

Viacom's BET awards last night really sucked! The nearly four-hour show stunk from the first act of the New Edition butchering up the songs "ABC" and "The Love You Save." The host Jamie Foxx seemed to be off tempo the whole night. Well he did do a good job with a Micheal Jackson song with Ne-Yo.

Ne-Yo performs "I'll Be There" at the BET Awards Sunday - Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, sat in the front row, as bogus half ass tributes were made with bogus lines like, "This is to you, Michael."

Thank God Janet was present to pay tribute to her brother. Janet Jackson broke her silence about her brother's death, making a dramatic appearance at the close of Sunday night's BET Awards. She said, "To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family," Janet Jackson said, her face quivering with emotion. "And he will forever live in all of our hearts."Read more: HERE

AAPP: If her and her family were expecting a high-end tribute from BET, they were unfortunately disappointed.

Pizzello/AP

Janet Jackson speaks for the Jackson family in an emotional appearance at Sunday night's BET Awards in Los Angeles.

The folks at MTV (also owned by Viacom) also loved the BET program. Surprise!

Jena 6 Are Free!

Finally, true justice for the Jena 6! It's been a long time since our first jena 6 - day of blogging for justice. But, it was was all worth it, the momentum had built for many years. Now, as reported by blogger, Electronic Village: Jena 6 are Free.

Bloggers like Francis L. Holland, Sylvia, Yobachi, Shawn Williams, Bronze Trinity, Pam, Brandon, DP, Vanessa, thin Black Duke, AverageBro, Reidblog and so many afro spear bloggers, should be celebrating a long journey to free these brothers. Let's not forget Howard Witt over at the Chicago Tribune who has written extensively on the Jena 6.

No black-and-white answers
Plea deal arranged for teen in Jena 6
News media win suit to open Jena 6 case
Judge says he'll open Jena trial to public
Questions about Jena case funds
Tribune, other media firms file motion to end Jena trial secrecy
House panel demands answers in Jena case
Jena 6 teen's return to jail draws queries
Jena 6 defendant out of jail
White supremacist backlash builds over Jena case
Jena 6 teen is denied release
Protesters pack racially tense town

For marchers, destination Jena
Blogs help drive Jena protest
Appeals court overturns 'Jena 6' conviction
Part of 'Jena 6' conviction dropped; charges reduced
Louisiana teen guilty in school beating case
Charge reduced in 'Jena 6' case
Racial demons rear heads

Let us not forget the many Bloggers who helped drive Jena protest. Hey, and how about the groups The Color of Change, and The Friends of Justice. Congratulations! There were also newspapers like the Chicago Sun Times who covered the issue too.

JENA, La. —- Five members of the Jena Six pleaded no contest Friday to misdemeanor simple battery and won’t serve jail time, ending a case that thrust a small Louisiana town into the national spotlight and sparked a massive civil rights demonstration.

The five, standing quietly surrounded by their lawyers, were sentenced to seven days unsupervised probation and fined $500. It was a far less severe end to their cases than seemed possible when the six students were initially charged with attempted murder in the 2006 attack on Justin Barker, a white classmate. They became known as the “Jena Six,” after the central Louisiana town where the beating happened.

As part of the deal, one of the attorneys read a statement from the five defendants —- all of whom are black —- in which they said they knew of nothing Barker had done to provoke the attack.

“To be clear, not one of us heard Justin use any slur or say anything that justified Mychal Bell attacking Justin nor did any of us see Justin do anything that would cause Mychal to react,” the statement said.

By pleading no contest, the five do not admit guilt but acknowledge prosecutors had enough evidence for a conviction.

Charges against Carwin Jones, Jesse Ray Beard, Robert Bailey Jr., Bryant Purvis and Theo Shaw had previously been reduced from attempted murder to aggravated second-degree battery.

The only member of the group to serve jail time was Bell, who pleaded guilty in December 2007 to second-degree battery and was sentenced to 18 months. More HERE

AAPP It's not over yet folks. As many of us have pointed out on many ocassions, black folks are getting tasered to death in America.

Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop - Dead at 50

Michael Jackson has died - Call 911... he's not breathing...

Oh My God, as reported by Reuters news service - Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing but whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals, died on Thursday. He was 50.

Jackson was pronounced dead at about 2:26 p.m. PDT (5:26 EDT) after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, said Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.

Jackson's sudden death had been reported earlier by U.S. media, which said he was taken ill at his home and rushed to the hospital by paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived.

Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.

He transformed music videos and his lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, made him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

But Jackson's belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart", his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."

Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.

Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, told MSNBC: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news."

"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

SOLD-OUT SHOWS

Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months. The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March. People from Africa and around the world are paying tribute to the King of Pop.

"Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy in a statement.

More HERE

Michael Jackson performs at Super Bowl XXVII in 1993. (AP)

Apology For Slavery?

Cynthia Gordy writes a great article on Essence OnLine regarding the U.S. Senate's bogus apology for slavery.

Photo, Congresswoman Maxine Waters

Cynthia Gordy writes: With a unanimous vote last week, the United States Senate passed a resolution formally apologizing for the enslavement and segregations of African-Americans. The strongly-worded resolution, which comes 144 years after the Civil War and 45 years after the Civil Rights Act, describes "the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws," and states that Congress "apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors." It now moves to the House.

Speaking from the Senate floor about the apology, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, who first introduced the resolution, remarked that former presidents have acknowledged slavery. While traveling in Uganda, President Bill Clinton expressed regret for America's role in the slave trade, and President George W. Bush called it "one of the great crimes of history" when he visited Goree Island off the coast of Senegal. "Yet, this Congress has never offered a formal apology for slavery and Jim Crow, and it's long past due," Harkin said. "A national apology by the representative body of the people is a necessary collective response to a past collective injustice."

The resolution ends, though, with a disclaimer saying that it does not support or authorize any claim against the United States. In other words: We're sorry. But that doesn't mean you're going to get anything for it. It's a stipulation that has concerned some African-American lawmakers in the House of Represenatatives.

"I think that was unnecessary as part of the Senate resolution," says Congressman William Lacy Clay, who says he otherwise welcomes the gesture. "But I understand the politics of it. The way they were able to get it voted through the Senate was to have that disclaimer so that anyone, with guilt on their conscience, could not object."

Congresswoman Maxine Waters holds a similar outlook. "There is some discomfort with the disclaimer provision in the Senate resolution," she says, but adds that she's confident that it does not rule out pending reparations efforts, such as Congressman John Conyers's proposal for a commission to study reparation proposals for African-Americans. "In short, this is an apology bill and not a reparations bill."

There is, however, a historic precedent to reparations paid by the U.S. government. The 1988 Congressional apology to Japanese-Americans for internment during World War II, for example, was followed by about $1.6 billion in reparations that were given to victims of internment and their heirs. The government has also paid reparations to some of descendants of Native Americans. So, is an apology to African-Americans without accountability enough? Read More HERE

Let' talk about this issue on AA Political Pundit's Political Slugfest on BlogTalkRadio.

Black Preachers Question Tasering and Killing of Black Man

Another black man dies, as police cover up wrongful death by saying a black man pulled a stolen gun and pointed it after being shocked by a Taser and falling to the ground.

According to the Associated Baptist Press, Black Baptist preachers in Jacksonville, Fla., are calling for an independent investigation into a rash of recent shootings by police.

Family members said Kiko Battle, fatally shot by police, wanted to be a barber.

The call follows the June 15 fatal shooting of 24-year-old Kiko Battle by two-off duty officers who stopped him for questioning while he was walking down the street not far from his home. Local media said it was Jacksonville's eighth police-involved shooting of 2009 and the fifth fatality.

"We just want the killing to stop," Edward Preston, president of Baptist Ministers Conference, said in comments aired on local TV news broadcasts. "There have been too many killings, and it's time to bring it to an end."

Police said Battle was a dangerous felon who pulled a stolen gun and pointed it after being shocked by a Taser and falling to the ground. Afterward they say he got up and started to flee by climbing over a fence.

Battle's grandmother gave a different account. Ruth Sanders, 70, told the Florida Times-Union moments after he left her house she received a call from a neighbor saying her grandson was being shocked.

Sanders said she ran to the corner before shots were fired and could not see Battle because he was lying on the ground. She said she cried out to the officers begging them not to shoot.

Family members told the newspaper there was no reason to shoot Battle nine times after he had already been subdued.

Family members also questioned why police were bothering a young black man walking down the street in his own neighborhood in broad daylight. "It means everyone who was walking in the street was suspicious," said Wallace Eberhart, an uncle. More HERE

Rusty Depass and other Post-Racial Bigots

More sorry Post-Racial white male bigotry in South Carolina. First it's the Gov. who has to be ordered by the SC high court orders governor to take federal cash. Now, as reported by Politics Daily, The South Carolina Republican Party recently launched a campaign to reach out to minorities who have, for decades, wanted nothing to do with the state's GOP. On Sunday, however, longtime Republican activist Rusty DePass seemed to be doing everything in his power to thwart that effort when he was caught making a racist joke on his Facebook page about First Lady Michelle Obama.

Black bloggers have been following this event as well. The blog THE INTERSECTION OF MADNESS AND REALITY has followed this event. The blogs Pam's House, AverageBro.com, Black Agenda Report, Black Politics on the Web,

Rusty Depass has a rusted, color aroused brain.

Over the weekend, a gorilla escaped from a zoo in Columbia, and according to the New York Daily News, DePass just couldn't resist what he saw as the perfect opportunity for humor, updating his status message to read,

"I'm sure it's just one of Michelle's ancestors - probably harmless."

More at: GOP activist says escaped gorilla was 'ancestor' of Michelle Obama. Ben Hoover reports

Now the old negroes are upset about the Michelle Obama Gorilla Comment: NAACP Demands "Proper" Apology. I'm appreciative of the The Wichita NAACP activism. I only wish the NAACP national office could get upset and join the national effort to stop the taser torture of black folks in America, as they are concerned about our first lady.

Most black folks understand that there is clear evidence of hate and contempt for a Black President and first lady in America. Let's hope that the Obama's realize that we are not in a Post-Racial America.

Sherri Goforth Makes History as two bit color aroused bigot

A Post-Racial Minute from Sherri Goforth, a legislative aide for Sen. Diane Black. As reported by the blog, Black Politics On The Web.com Tennessee Democratic legislators are expressing outrage over a racist e-mail about President Barack Obama that was sent by a state employee who works for a Republican lawmaker.

The e-mail from Sherri Goforth, a legislative aide for Sen. Diane Black, was sent last month to other staff for Republican senators. The e-mail, first reported by an East Tennessee

blog, shows a portrait or photo of each U.S. president except Obama, who is depicted only as wide eyes in a black background. MORE HERE

News outlets are reporting on Sen Diane Black's (R-Gallatin) legislative aid circulates bigoted and color aroused email. WTF - Get this. - Yet, another Republican feels free to attack the dignity of our presidential office with vile hate and racism. In what has become an almost daily occurrence in Republican circles, a staffer for Tennessee State Senator Diane Black sent out a racist email last month, demeaning President Obama, using her work computer and state email account .

The Republican staffer’s name is Sherri Goforth and she emailed a racial smear against President Obama to a long list of recipients, including co-workers. The email was entitled, “Historical Keepsake Photo,” and included a picture of all of our 44 presidents, except that President Obama’s portrait only contained two white eyes against a black background.

You would think that after her disgusting racial smear was revealed, Sherri Goforth would be suitably apologetic, humiliated and shamed. But that’s not the case, not at all. She doesn’t comprehend how reprehensible her actions were.

When asked about the racist email, Goforth was only sorry that her racism was made public and she showed no remorse. She was only sorry she sent the email smear to the “wrong list.”

This bigot thinks it's an Historical Keepsake Photo.

The Fall of Iran as we know it?

Nico Pitney over at The Huffington Post is providing great coverage on what could be the fall of Iran as we know it. Other newspaper outlets such as my hometown Boston Globe have a number of great high-quality photos. Candidly I'm not surprised that Ahmadinejad may have engaged in election fraud. But I guess elerction fraud is no big deal to the Barack Obama administration as it has reiterated its dialogue offer. But wasn't Ahmadinejad a terrorist during the Carter administration?

The National Democratic Institute has a great graphic on what they term a complex system. I guess the National Democratic Institute has not developed a graphic on our system of government lately.

So what do you think is next for Iran?

Dwight Madison Tasered While Black

UPDATE: As reported by WTOP News, WBFF FOX 45, The Washington Times, State of Maryland and blogger- Villager, from the blog Electronic Village, are reporting on how Dwight Madison a Military Veteran was killed by Taser While in Police Custody. Harford County authorities are investigating the death of an inmate at the county detention center. The county sheriff's office says 48-year-old Dwight Madison was arrested Thursday for trespassing in Bel Air (MD).

As reported by Electronic Village, officials say he became uncooperative on Friday when deputies tried to fingerprint him, fighting with two correctional deputies and one civilian employee. [SOURCE]

More HERE

Now the question is how many people have to be Tasered to death before Americans say enough is enough, and join the effort to have congressional hearings on taser torture in America?

Update on Demonstrations In Iran

All hell is breaking loose in Iran. As reported by the Huffington Post, and the Washington Post, Violence is flaring in Iran Amid the Election Dispute the clashes continue this Sunday night on the streets in Tehran, Iran's opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi plans to make a speech to Iranians in the capital's Azadi (Freedom) square."

Iranian supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hurl stones towards supporters of defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi who are inside Tehran university during riots in Tehran. Meanwhile Joe Biden has doubts about the outcome of the vote.

The Tasering of Brian Cardall Brings Out More Info On Tasering

Ok, As you know I'm usually talking about the tasering of black folks on my blog Tasered While Black. But I must say incidents of tasering involving people of every group, including the tasering of seniors in the United states are rising. Take for example the recent killing of Brian Cardell who was recently tasered to death. As reported by Electronic Village, Brian Cardall, recently diagnosed with bipolar disease, was driving home from a family wedding in Salt Lake City with his wife when he became disoriented. He stopped the car and got out. His wife called 911 to request medical assistance. More HERE

Now, as reported by KCSZ TV, A Hurricane man has come forward with an eyewitness account of Tuesdays tasering incident that led to the death of 32 year old Brian Cardall.



Lorry Stratton, a propane service man, was traveling on SR 59 Tuesday afternoon when two hurricane officers with lights flashing passed him going up the hill.

Moments later Stratton pulled up on scene and saw Hurricane City Police Chief Lynn Excell and another Hurricane officer standing near a man who was undressed and holding his clothes in his hands. Stratton said he watched the officer say something to the man and the man took a step forward.

That is when the officer deployed his taser causing him to drop to the ground. Stratton says the man did not seem to be a threat. More HERE The police killed Cardall with 50,000 volts of electricity from their taser gun. As Villager from the blog Electronic Village said, "Brian Cardall is the 21st person in America to die from taser-related shooting this year. Torture isn't limited to Dick Cheney. Taser-torture is occuring all over our nation."

As reported by KSL TV, Taser International says "exposure to tasering is not risk free, but there's no conclusive evidence [it says] for a high risk of serious injury." But the death this week of a 32-year-old man who was tased by police in Washington County is again drawing questions from cardiologists who specialize in the electrophysiology of the heart.

While police have experienced tasing themselves and the manufacturer has tested the device on numerous volunteers, cardiologists still question the effects of the gun's jolt on the heart.

Dr. Brian Crandall specializes in the electrophysiology of the heart. He says making a blanket statement about a Taser's low risk when users often don't know the medical background of the person they're tasing.

Crandall said, "If someone is going to get tasered, they're not evaluating their medical history going into it, so you don't know those things in advance, so it's difficult to make any blanket statements."

Dr. Crandall says the balanced electrical rhythm of the heart can be fragile even in a normal heart, depending on what's happening at the moment inside the body.

In a heightened mental condition where anxiety is pervasive, circulating hormones and the nervous system have an impact on the heart. Crandall explained, "The heart is heavily nerved and the nervous system has a big influence on the heart and the heart rhythm."

Also, a lot depends what part of the body is targeted by the Taser user. For example, if the victim is hit in the chest. "The proximity would definitely play a role," explained Crandall. "It would hit the heart much more there than if it were at a further distance away."

Tasing is simply not a "one-for-all" answer in disabling someone.

In an officer's judgment when to use the device, The U.S. Department of Justice warns, "Abnormal mental status in a combative or resistive subject may be associated with a risk for sudden death."

Crandall said, "A sick heart is one that would be at high risk … but it can even happen in people with normal hearts that, given the right circumstances, that if the rhythm is thrown off and there is no immediate remedy to it, that it could be a life threatening situation."

Crandall says physicians know a lot about electrical currents used in medicine to restart a failing heart, but researchers need more extensive studies on the effects of tasing. More HERE

AAPP: It's clear Police training for handling mental illness cases is lacking, Clearly it's time for all Americans to join the effort to have congressional hearings on taser torture. Please consider signing the petition.