DarkStar Spouts Off

One? Sick. Three? Terrorism

If it is accurate that 3 SOLDIERS were involved,...this is terrorism.

[ UPDATE ]

Let me shut up about this.

First there was one, then three, now it's back to one. Two people were released.

First he was dead now he's alive?

The media is in their report everything to beat the crowd mode, so I'm going to sit back and wait for it to calm down. Meanwhile, I'll pray for the families.

Why Haven't They Mention He's Married?

Why hasn't the Baltimore Sun mentioned that Lipscomb is married?

"I have no one else to blame but myself," he said. "If I had not made some stupid and selfish decisions I would not be here today."

He said that comment was for his wife.

Ronald H. Lipscomb, a developer who once was romantically involved with Mayor Sheila Dixon, received probation before judgment Thursday for making an illegal campaign contribution.

Romantically involved with a married man is an affair, right?

This Is Why I Ignored The Fox News Snub

This is why I ignored Obama snubbing Fox News:

It was, after all, George W. Bush who became the first modern president to refuse literally every interview request from the New York Times over the span of nine years. The NYT's Sheryl Gay Stolberg explained about a year ago, "[Bush] White House officials are quite open about the fact that we have not gotten an interview because they don't like our coverage."

And then there was Dick Cheney, only going on Fox News or Rush Limbaugh for interviews.

No more here to see, next slide.

Sharpton, Bad!

If conservatives think that Al Sharpton is so bad, why don't they criticize Fox News for having him on O'Reily or Hannity?

Do I have to remind you that O'Reily and Sharpton had dinner together at Sylvia's?

Does symbiotic relationship mean anything to you?

Double Standard?

Remember when one of the Dixie Chicks spoke out against Pres. Bush? Remember all of the calls for boycotting the group's concerts and CDs? Weren't many of them politically aligned with Limbaugh?

Remember the effort by K. Mfume to get a syndicated talk show and how he was attacked for doing so? Remember how people said he was ideological and that his attempts to get a show seemed shady because the NAACP was saying media doesn't have enough Black faces?

Remember people like Jesse Lee Peterson going after sponsors of Jesse Jackson, Sr's Wall Street initiative? Remember the out cry because of Jackson, Sr's comments and his "shake down" of corporations?

Observation On Unemployment Stats

Here is an interesting observation about the reporting of unemployment statistics.

During the Bush administration, conservatives , Republicans, and the conservative media crowed about the low unemployment numbers, and rarely, if at all, commented on the unemployment numbers for Blacks (unless the minimum wage was mentioned) or the "real unemployment numbers" that included people who "gave up" looking for a job. However Black progressives/liberals seemed to always use these statistics as well.

Now that Obama is the president, Republicans, conservatives, and the conservative media, are using these numbers (Black unemployment, "real" unemployment) to indict the Obama administration policies. Meanwhile, Black progressives/liberals are continuing to use those numbers as well.

I find that "interesting."

Men II Boys

Men II Boys is a must see movie. It needs to be viewed by Black boys, tweens, and men.

And if you follow it up with I Can Do Bad All By Myself, you will feel compelled to DO something.

ACORN

When I saw the video of the "set up" of the ACORN, Baltimore branch, my radar was triggered because I couldn't see ANYONE falling for the over the top story that was given. Then I read that it was tried in other areas and it made my radar really go off.

Then I read that the Washington, D.C. branch was caught as well.

Applying RICO seems to be the right move to me.

The Press

From The Constitution of the United States of America:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Among other things, this gives the press the freedom from government intervention of what it, the press, decides to cover and/or NOT COVER.

I complain about the coverage of the media, normally about how it covers the Black community or of interests to what I think are the Black community or about what interests me. While I want the press to be impartial and accurate, I know they have no real "duty" to be either.

It bothers me, A LOT, when they are neither but I know they have NO Constitutional role to be impartial and accurate. They have NO Constitutional requirement to be ethical. The Drudge Report "reports":

On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm!

Highlights on the agenda:

ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the White House.

The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate.

The Director of Communications at the White House Office of Health Reform is Linda Douglass, who worked as a reporter for ABC News from 1998-2006.

ABC News providing this coverage from the White House is not the issue as far as I'm concerned. The issue is there are no opposing views to this at the time or immediately following up when the Obama administration is proposing changes to the health care systsem that will affect the health of people and the economy.

Change for change's sake is not a good thing.

Whites Ain't Safe! Who Cares If Blacks Ain't Safe, Either?!?!?!

Whites ain't safe! Who cares if Blacks ain't safe either! That's all I can think about after reading Greg Kanes opinion article:

Whitey, don’t let the sun set on you in Bodymore, Murderland. That’s neither an official or unofficial slogan for Baltimore yet, but it’s not because some of our more dysfunctional citizens aren’t trying to make it so.

...

 

The overwhelming majority of those bodies are black ones, dispatched by black perps. But the few white bodies may end up giving Baltimore a notorious reputation as a city where whites just aren’t safe.

It's not safe for Blacks, but they don't matter? Kane is Black and still lives in the city, and has previously written about being a victim of crime, by Black people, in the city. But I don't recall something like the following line from Kane:

With leaders like this, would you, if you’re white, let the sun set on you in Baltimore?

How about asking that of Blacks in the city?

Damn.

Examples Of Why I Tune Out Occasionally

The following news items are why I occasionally tune out from the news:

Foreign Demand for U.S. Financial Assets Fall

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Foreign demand for long-term U.S. financial assets fell in April as both China and Japan trimmed their holdings of Treasury securities.

The Treasury Department said Monday that net purchases of stocks, notes and bonds obtained by foreigners fell to $11.2 billion in April, from $55.4 billion in March.

China, the largest holder of U.S. Treasury securities, trimmed its holdings to $763.5 billion in April, from $767.9 billion in March. Japan, the second largest holder of Treasury securities, reduced its holdings to $685.9 billion, from $686.7 billion a month earlier.

Durbin Cashed Out During Stock Collapse

As U.S. stock markets plummeted last September, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat, Dick Durbin, sold more than $115,000 worth of stocks and mutual-fund shares and used much of the money to invest in Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

The Illinois senator's 2008 financial disclosure statement shows he sold mutual-fund shares worth $42,696 on Sept. 19, the day after then-Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke urged congressional leaders in a closed meeting to craft legislation to help financially troubled banks. The same day, he bought $43,562 worth of Berkshire Hathaway's Class B stock, the disclosure shows.

Hearing to Air VA Mistakes That Exposed To HIV, Other Infections

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - A congressional panel is pressing the Department of Veterans Affairs to disclose on Tuesday whether non-sterile equipment that may have exposed 10,000 veterans to HIV and other infections was isolated to three Southeast hospitals or is part of a wider problem.

"Somebody is going to have to take responsibility," said U.S. Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' oversight and investigation subcommittee.

The subcommittee scheduled Tuesday's hearing in Washington to discuss mistakes involving endoscopic equipment used for colonoscopies and other procedures at its hospitals in Miami, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Augusta, Ga. with top agency officials and to receive a yet-unreleased report by the VA's inspector general.

WBAL Race Baiting

On WBAL Radio, host Ron Smith has made a big deal about the killing of 14 year old Christopher Jones by gang members. I'm not saying it should not have been a major local news event, because it should have been, but Smith stated time and time again that it was race related because the people accused of the killing, at least the only person identified, is Black and Christopher Jones is white.

Christopher Jones was an innocent person caught in a battle between two gangs. Members of one gang saw him and attacked him, causing him to fall and hit his head. He later died. But race had nothing to do with it at all.

Now, we have a firebombing of a home that was supposed to be a retaliation. Take a look at the picture and then tell me if you think Ron Smith said anything about it.

Ron Smith and Greg Kane speak about racial issues on a regular basis. I wonder if it will be broached the next time Kane is on Smith's radio show.

Media Money

I have a very simple question to ask, one that I want you to ponder.

If newspapers are in financial trouble, allegedly, because of liberal leanings, why is it that radio stations across the country, including radio stations that play popular music, are also in financial trouble?

And don't they all depend on advertising which is down, across the board, all over the country?

Ray Dee Oh, Part 2

The Radio Bizness

Radio stations currently pay royalties for the records they play to publishing companies. So, why shouldn't they pay royalties to the artists?

Fundamentally, that's the question that I keep coming around to answering, they should pay royalties to the artists, because that is part of a copyright scenario, correct?

This is especially true when I think about the radio stations/personalities caught engaging in payola and the companies NOT caught engaging in payola. Tom Joyner, a business partner with Radio One, and Larry Young, a morning talk show host on WOLB, a Radio One station, have done a great job in explaining how this will affect radio stations. While I understand that the royalty rates may put radio stations out of business, and I understand how radio stations may not be willing to "break new artists" because they will pay royalties for songs that may be a bomb, aren't radio stations getting a real good deal right now?

When things were going well, they played "hot songs" and put on radio personalities that did a good job and were able to charge decent advertising rates. Now things are not going as well, and the radio stations are put behind a rock and a hard place.

Does the estate of Mary Wells deserve to get some royalty money? Yes.
Isn't it the record company's responsibility to pay that royalty? Yes.

Why aren't they doing it now?

BTW, a few years ago I found out why there are not many raps with Motown songs used in the mix. The reason is, Barry Gordy charges one of the highest, if not the highest, licensing fees in the industry to use songs in the Motown catalog. Ain't Barry Gordy ripping people off, STILL?

Quickie On Colin Powell

With all of the Republican reaction to Colin Powell's statements, I find it interesting to see what happens when a Black Republican appears to step off the Republican plantation.

Wanda Sykes

Her performance at the White House Correspondent's Dinner was probably more appropriate for her club act than for the dinner. But even with that, the "cries" over her comments about Rush Limbaugh are way out of order.

If the same people didn't complain when Rush Limbaugh "joked" that heroine users should OD and die, then they have no standing to complain now.

Miss California

I agree with Miss California, Carrie Prejean; marriage should be between a man and a woman. Anything else should be called something else.

I find it interesting that Miss California was called "the C word" by a gay man who is famous for ... what is he famous for? I find it interesting that Miss California's breast enhancement has been made public but even MORE interesting is the fact that the California pageant organization PAID for it. I find it interesting that the pageant organization knew about her "risque" pictures earlier but NOW it is an issue.

Because of the pure nastiness directed towards her is uncalled for and it's too bad that the organization has legitimate grounds to relieve her of her duties, because if they did it, now it would look like she was relieved of her duties because of what she said vs. what obligations she is not doing.

I'm not saying that those who disagree with her should not criticize her. I'm saying that the criticism for her comments should be better than the garbage they are saying now.

Left Wing Extremists

Left Wing Extremists Report

(U//FOUO) This product is one of a series of intelligence assessments published by the DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) Strategic Analysis Group to facilitate a greater understanding of the emerging threats to the United States. The information is provided to federal, state, and local counterterrorism and law enforcement officials so they may effectively deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks against the United States.

(U//FOUO) This assessment examines the potential threat to homeland security from cyber attacks conducted by leftwing extremists, a threat that DHS/I&A believes likely will grow over the next decade. It focuses on the more prominent leftwing groups within the animal rights, environmental, and anarchist extremist movements that promote or have conducted criminal or terrorist activities (see Appendix). This assessment is intended to alert DHS policymakers, state and local officials, and intelligence analysts monitoring the subject so they can better focus their collection requirements and analysis.

More at the link.

Micky D's and the Media Okie Doke

Look at the following situation. A woman wanted the merchandise she ordered and when the store worker told her they were out of stock, she requested her money back and the worker refused to return her money to her. She then called 9-1-1 to get her money back.

What's wrong with what she did?

Now, put it in the context of McDonald's with the merchandise being a McNugget, and the woman gets clowned.

McDonald's workers refused to return her money to her when they said they didn't have what she wanted. If she had eaten the food and then wanted her money back, it would be silly. But, effectively, they stole that woman's money.

Suppose you took something and refused to pay for it. They would call 9-1-1 in a heartbeat and you would be charged with theft or theft of services.

When I was younger, I got into such a similar dispute with a store and they would not return my money, I told THEM to call 911, and they did.

After the situation was explained to the policeman who responded, I was let go WITH my money.

People who are clowning this woman have been played. In my opinion, their actually the ones being clowned.

Let's Talk Bias

I was flipping channels looking for something mindless to draw my mind off of recent events when I came upon "Right America. Feeling Wronged." I wasn't a backer of McCain, nor was I a backer of Obama, but this movie had my mouth wide open and wondering how much film was left on the floor to get what it got.

The movie, presented as a documentary, was produced by Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. She put the microphone and camera on people who attended McCain/Palin rallies and just let those people speak for themselves.

And, Lord, did they speak!

This was beyond the typical ignorance of Obama is a Muslim. This was straight up naked racism and a form of nationalism that should scare the crap out of anyone who ever said we should all just be Americans with no hyphenization. I mean, this crap of "real America" only being "fly over country" should be slapped down, instead of supported by, commentators on The Right. The idea that the East Coast and West Coast ain't "real America"?

Maryland may have Baltimore and the D.C. suburbs, but it also has the Eastern Shore and part of the Appalachin Range. And New York city is NOT "Real America"?

I haven't gone hunting around but I'm sure conservatives are livid over this movie. Well, I hope they remember any comments they make about misrepresentation by putting forth "the worst" to be representative of the majority when they are about to do that about Blacks. But that would be too much like right.

Cheering For The Wrong Reason And An Example Of Outcome

Before I do what I need to do, I had to post a link to this:

In Baltimore, No One Left to Press The Police

Read the opinion article. It's about cut backs in the news room affecting proper oversight of public officials, this time focusing on the Baltimore City Police Department.

I've written before that I think the reason newspapers are hurting is NOT because of a liberal bias, as claimed by those "on the right," but because of:

1. The fast paced news cycle of CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, etc;
2. The Internet allows reading of newspapers on-line; and
3. The general decline in reading, in general, of the American population.

Meanwhile, those, mainly "on the right" about the demise of newspapers, really shouldn't crow because a lot of stories that would be covered, stories they would pick up to piggyback on slamming people they don't like, or stories that they would pick up as NOT being told correctly, won't be covered. Of course, the cynic -- realist? -- in me realizes many "on the right" are "law and order" types that seem to not mind police and prosecutorial abuse except when it involves white men of privilege like Rush Limbaugh getting outted for doctor shopping or the Duke Lacrosse players being railroaded by Nifong. But mention the cases like people released from jail after investigative work done by The Innocence Project...

[ NOTE ]

I'm busy dealing with things. There are posts that I've queued up to be published days in advance, but I won't be responding for awhile. So if you comment on something that requires a reply, I'll make it but it will take awhile.

Let Me See If I Understand This

OK, the economy is in rough shape. Companies are laying off or going out of business. People are not spending because they are unsure about what's happening. Banks are not lending money but are using the money to buy other banks or help their own balance sheets. In an atmosphere like this, if you are not sure of your job or business, it makes sense to cut back unnecessary expenses, like going out to eat. But when Oprah said it, restaurant owners were upset because she spoke COMMON SENSE?

Again, the economy is in rough shape, but Hannity and Limbaugh are accusing President Obama of talking down the economy and, instead, he should be talking it up? I see them saying it's not "the worst since the depression" if statistically this is the case, but to accuse Obama of talking DOWN the economy?

3rd Side To Henrietta Hughes Story

As heard on The Tom Joyner Morning Show

I'm Not Saying It's Right, But...

I understand the symbolism involved with Barack Obama now being President of the United States Barack Obama. But, as I wrote in November, 2008:

I have a problem with pundits saying President-elect Obama provides a new/game changing/different positive image of Black possibilities of a man in America.

Granted, Obama becoming President IS a game changing event, but commentary saying his election means "no more excuses," to me, ignores and insults all of the Black men in the United States who can be said to be "positive images" especially for Black youth.

...

This isn't meant negate the accomplishment of Obama. By definition, being President of the United States, is an exceptional accomplishment. But can't other brothers of accomplishment get their shine as well? And for the public writers/commentators/talking heads who haven't been providing that light on the other brothers, why not?

So, I guess "I'm not saying it's right, but I understand."

When I was looking at the inauguration day coverage, after awhile I thought the coverage was over the top. I understand, appreciate, and agree that it was a day in our political history like no other since the election and first inauguration of a President of the United States. From that standpoint, the all day coverage up to, and including, the inaugural balls, was coverage, I guess, fit the day. Still, I think it went too far. They didn't need to cover the balls. But, again, "I'm not saying it's right, but I understand."

What isn't right and what I don't understand, is the extended commentary of the day by people who are "hard news" people. I think it is appropriate for people to be put on television to put forth their opinion, whether it's a political professional like Donna Brazille, or whether it's just for a "right" or "left" point of view. I don't think it is appropriate for "hard news" people like Tom Brokaw to voice their opinion. I understand everyone has an opinion, but I like it when news people are "fair" and provide nothing but facts. Brokaw telling people he deems as rednecks to "take this," for a news person, is inappropriate.

But to his comment, "I UNDERSTAND!"

I understand the symbolism involved with Barack Obama now being President of the United States Barack Obama. But, as I wrote in November, 2008:

I have a problem with pundits saying President-elect Obama provides a new/game changing/different positive image of Black possibilities of a man in America.

Granted, Obama becoming President IS a game changing event, but commentary saying his election means "no more excuses," to me, ignores and insults all of the Black men in the United States who can be said to be "positive images" especially for Black youth.

...

This isn't meant negate the accomplishment of Obama. By definition, being President of the United States, is an exceptional accomplishment. But can't other brothers of accomplishment get their shine as well? And for the public writers/commentators/talking heads who haven't been providing that light on the other brothers, why not?

So, I guess "I'm not saying it's right, but I understand."

When I was looking at the inauguration day coverage, after awhile I thought the coverage was over the top. I understand, appreciate, and agree that it was a day in our political history like no other since the election and first inauguration of a President of the United States. From that standpoint, the all day coverage up to, and including, the inaugural balls, was coverage, I guess, fit the day. Still, I think it went too far. They didn't need to cover the balls. But, again, "I'm not saying it's right, but I understand."

What isn't right and what I don't understand, is the extended commentary of the day by people who are "hard news" people. I think it is appropriate for people to be put on television to put forth their opinion, whether it's a political professional like Donna Brazille, or whether it's just for a "right" or "left" point of view. I don't think it is appropriate for "hard news" people like Tom Brokaw to voice their opinion. I understand everyone has an opinion, but I like it when news people are "fair" and provide nothing but facts. Brokaw telling people he deems as rednecks to "take this," for a news person, is inappropriate.

But to his comment, "I UNDERSTAND!"

Who Wrote The Title For This Article?

Who in hell wrote the title for this article that appeared in The Washington Post?

Blacks Conflicted About Supporting Appointee.

The article should be titled "Politicians and Activists Disagree About Supporting Appointee". Because I