Friday, August 31, 2007
Jason vs. Jessie
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
THOSE FREAKY REPUBLICANS
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
I hate to do a cut and paste job, but this story is too important to ignore.
Thursday, the state of Texas plans to execute a man who it knows without a doubt did not commit murder. This is not justice--it's insanity. Newspapers all over the state agree that this would be a serious mistake and have called on the Governor and the Board of Pardons and Paroles to spare Kenneth Foster's life.
Can you take a few minutes to make two phone calls to do the same?
Please call the Governor at 512-463-2000 and the Pardons and Paroles Board at 512-406-5852 and ask them to spare Foster's life. Then email http://us.f505.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=calls@colorofchange.org to let us know that you did.
On August 15, 1996, Maurecio Brown got out of Kenneth Foster's car and killed Michael LaHood. When the shots were fired, 19-year-old Foster was in the driver's seat, over 80 feet away, and had no idea that that LaHood was about to commit murder. Foster was no angel that night. Earlier, he had drunk beer, smoked marijuana, and waited while Brown and other friends got out of his car to rob people at gunpoint, twice.
Brown was executed on July 19, 2006 for LaHood's murder. If Foster didn't kill LaHood, why is Texas trying to execute him? It's the "law of parties," which states that a person can be held responsible for a crime committed by someone else. Texas is the only state where the law of parties applies to capital cases, where someone can be executed because of someone else's actions. In this case, the prosecution claimed that Foster was guilty because he "should have anticipated" the murder.
In 2005, a U.S. District Judge ruled that the Law of Parties had been misapplied, violating Foster's Eighth and 14th Amendment rights, and overturned his death sentence. But a federal circuit court overruled that decision, so now Foster's fate is in the hands of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Unless the Pardons Board acts, Foster will be killed by the state for failing to read Maurecio Brown's mind.
The Pardons Board rules today. If they recommend commutation of Foster's death sentence, Gov. Perry decides Foster's fate. The Pardons Board rarely commutes sentences, and Governor Perry, citing strong support in Texas for the death penalty, did not uphold the only commutation recommended during his term (he has overseen 159 executions since 2000).
Even though the odds are against Foster, we know that public pressure can make a difference. Every ounce of pressure could help.
Again, please call the Governor at 512-463-2000 and the Pardons and Paroles Board at 512-406-5852. Email us at http://us.f505.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=calls@colorofchange.org to let us know that you did. And pass this on.
Thank You and Peace, "
Monday, August 27, 2007
But senator, I just met you.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Francis & The Kossacks
I wasn't going to post today, because I had some more important stuff going on. But then, like the addict that I am, I got on the Internet and caught this post from my man Francis Holland about the Kossacks again.
I swear I had to post this link. (He compared the Kossacks to the Klan!) My man Francis will not leave Markos and the folks at Kos alone. Now he is posting from Political Fleshfeast, a spin off of Myleftwing, which is wild as shit. Seems they gave Francis the green light to post as much as he wants, and boy is he going to town.
I have said publicly and privately to my man Francis, that I really don't co-sign with his need to post constantly and stir the pot on these large white blogs. I think he should use his immense talent to devote his writing and research to black causes and on black blogs. (Like the ones in the Afrospear for instance) But....he won't listen, and he just keeps trying to kick the door in to the white folks house.
Still, I love how he is trying to expose Markos, because let's face it, Markos has become an important political figure in this country. If he is doing or has done some shady shit in the past, well then he should be called on it.
So "write" on Francis. I tried to rope you in, but I guess there is no stopping you. You're the white folks problem now :)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
I have your "Surge" right here!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
A couple of things have been bothering me all day
I was running late for work this morning, so I was hauling ass on Roosevelt Boulevard, weaving in and out of traffic, and driving like there was a Lark sighting in Philadelphia. Anyway, as luck would have it, I see the flashing lights of the po po behind me. So I get the "driver's license and registration request from this Philly Highway Patrol cop. He looks like a good Irishman, and he looks like he has been doing his job for awhile. So anyway, as I take my driver's license out of my wallet, my man notices my court badge. He asks me what I do for a living and I tell him. He asks me why the rush, and I tell him I am late for court. He gives me one of those looks-the one I have gotten quite a few times after showing my badge- and he tells me to slow down be careful and have a nice day. No ticket, no warning, just have a nice day!
So now I am rushing into the court house, I recognize some of the sheriffs and they are all waving me through. Except for one. This particular sheriff tells me to stop. She wants to know where I think I am going without showing my bar card or some form of ID. I tell her I am an attorney and I actually work for the courts,but girlfriend isn't having it. I show her my badge. Still not having it, she wants to see my bar card. "Anybody can get a badge". I am late now, I have spent five minutes already with Cleopatra Jones. I tell her my bar card is in another brief case and I apologize for not having it. She wants me to go into another line. (it's longer and I would have to go all the way to the back) "He's cool, he works with another branch of the courts, I can vouch for him, he is a lawyer". She lets me go. I thank the sheriff that got my back, and I am on my way.
So here is what's bothering me; the two people that cut me some slack today, were white men. The one person that gave me a hard time, was a black female. I know she was just doing her job....but damn, did she have to be so hard on a brother? I have had this discussion with friends before about the hard ass attitude some of our own people take with each other; and honestly, I don't understand it. I mean why couldn't she just let me through with the badge I produced and taken my word that I was a lawyer? I know, I know, she was doing her job. But damn it, there is such a thing as common sense, and she wasn't using it. Like WTF? Did she think she was going to get a fucking raise for giving some field Negro a hard time because he couldn't quickly produce a bar card? Geez!
So that was the first thing. Now the second thing is a little more personal to me, and the fact that I am blogging about it might even piss some of you off. But fuck it, I always keep it 100% with you, and I won't stop now.
I passed by this lube shop called "Grease Monkey" today, and right in front of this shop was a brother with overalls covered in grease. First of all, I hate that fucking name, and every time I see one of those shops I get pissed off. ("Oh field, you are way too sensitive". I know, chalk it up to my knowledge of history) But something about seeing fam today in the hot ass son was very troubling to me. Couldn't he get a job at Jiffy Lube or some shit? I know people can name their franchise pretty much what they want, but do we have to work in that bitch, or patronize them with our business? "So where do you work?"" Ahhh with a lube and oil change company." "Yeah, what's the name of it? ""Ahhh Grease Monkey....""Grease Monkey? ""Yeah Grease Monkey...."
Maybe it's no big deal, but today I just wasn't in the mood to see that brother standing in front of Grease Monkey. The imagery just sucked! Kind of like girlfriend who wouldn't show a brother some love earlier in the day. Honestly, her ass should have been standing in front of grease monkey. At least the imagery would have been more appropriate.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
No Iraqi ever called me a nigger.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Showing a field Negro some love.
Consider this my greatest hits post. It was inspired by a couple of honors I recently received, and an e-mail I got inquiring about some of my favorite essays I wrote since I started blogging.
Before I do that, I would like to first thank the people who put together the Black Weblog and the Black Web Awards. (I think they are different) I am honestly honored to have been nominated by them to receive one of their prestigious awards. Also, I would equally like to thank the field Negroes who voted for me. That's showing a brother some love for real.
So of the 243 posts I have done since I started this blog; the following are my favorites:
(Not in any particular order of favorites)
1. A friend of mine said he was browsing the web when he came across an article by a gentleman named Cobb. The article was posted on a conservative blog known as Booker Rising. Throughout the article, the gentleman took great exception to my views on Darfur. He went on to take some personal shots at me while quoting extensively from my article. Well, I checked it out for myself, and my friend was right. But rather than respond in kind, I will attempt to, once again, state my position on this issue--and especially as it relates to the house Negroes among us and why they think the way they do... (More here)
2. Hey, welcome to the Field Negro News Network.. (More here)
3. Folks consider this post a self improvement exercise from the field-negro. Yes, it's the Oprahization[sic] of the field-negroe's blog. I am going to give you a little pop quiz to help you realize if you are a racist or to help you recognize racism when you see it...(More here)
4. Thanks to my man Atiba, I received an excellent article via e-mail from the Associated Press. It was written by Erin Texeira and it had to do with the stereotypes that black men face on a daily basis and the different coping mechanisms that we use to get by..(More here)
5. I am always amused at how sensitive some blacks-particularly black conservatives-get when you talk about the house negro field negro dichotomy among black folks. Black conservatives are always quick to lash out at the house negro moniker as if it's directed at them...(More here)
6. So I am reading over at Wizbang, a conservative site that I like to visit now and then. And there is a post from one of the hosts about this family in Maine who tried to kidnap their daughter in order to force her to have an abortion. Well, as it turns out-I should have known-the young man that knocked her up was a ....Gasp!!! NEGRO!...(More here)
7. I really wasn't going to post tonight, but I just got home from the viewing of a very dear friend's father, who was suddenly taken away from him compliments of a massive heart attack..(More here)
8. Seems a couple of the Supremes, Uncle Clarence Thomas, and Anthony Kennedy, had to go before a house sub committee down in Washington and face some tough questions recently. Why you say? Well apparently, even the Supreme Court needs money...(More here)
9. Over the holidays I went to check out my homey Will Smith's new flick, "The Pursuit of Happyness". A true story about a self made millionaire, and his struggles with his young son out of poverty. I gave it a thumps up, and I won't front, that bad boy had me tearing up from time to time. But you know me, as usual, I had some issues..(More here)
10. I want to post about something I saw over at My DD ,a progressive net roots web site whose primary focus seems to be the advancement of democratic party candidates..(More here)
11. In case you didn't know this; white people really really treat their pets well. I swear, white people love their pets more than they love people...(More here)
12. I am sure that my friends down South are familiar with Hunting Clubs. I remember when I was living in Louisiana that was a big deal. Come hunting season you would go on acres and acres of your club's land and shoot all the Bambi's, wild boars, and water fowls to your heart's content. All for an annual fee..(More here)
13. It's Monday evening, and if you just had a hard days work, and want to something to cheer you up, stop reading now, and visit my site again another time...(More here)
The image above is that of a Jamaican Maroon and the little guy I used to use before my blog got a little too popular and I became concerned with some legal issues. Since I am in a reminiscing mood, I am throwing him up there one last time before I finally put him to rest.
There won't be any such issues with my new image, because the likeness I use is my own. Yep, that's me folks. What, you think I spend all that time in the gym for nothing ? :)
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Hurricane Sam was worse
Friday, August 17, 2007
Big trouble in China.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
The King & I
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
I get tired of talking about racism too
"I get tired of talking about racism. I think black people are too often put into the position of being the ‘racism monitors’. No matter what other hobbies, interests, ideas you have all anybody ever wants to here from you is your view on racism. I think too many black people limit their lives because they are too preoccupied by racism, racism..." Translation: I get tired of being out in the fields. If I could just be in the house, with all its comforts and its advantages. Why must I be lumped in with other black people, why can't I just.. be "normal"?
................***sorry about that pause folks, I just thought about something :)
So anyhooo, I won't link her site, but I will link the site that led me to her. A wonderful Canadian blogger who titles her blog; "writing is fighting". Read the entire post with the links to this "Musings Of a Diva" lady, and tell me if it's just me. "Limit their lives"? You know what I get tired of? Dumb ass black people who buy into bullshit talking points like: victimology, and the other shit that house Negroes like to talk about. What is it with black people who get theirs, move on, and think that they are separate from the race that spawned their dumb asses? Don't they realize that every thing that black people do as a collective, every way that they are perceived, and ultimately, the way they are treated in the world, affects their dumb asses? I know, I know, I will not let my race define me, I will work hard pull myself up by my own boot straps..blah blah blah. ~~~That's me rolling my eyes and yawning~~~ Just because you happen to be enjoying your life free of racism, doesn't mean that it won't effect your children or, your own life at some point down the line. Racism is real, and it's effects are economic, social, and even spiritual (if you want to go that route). And if we choose not to recognize it, or call it when we see it, we (yes your dumb ass included) will be standing on someones back looking out the window of a gulag somewhere, wondering what the fuck happened to us.
And before you get it twisted (You meaning all you like minded people who preach the self sacrifice pull yourself up talking points crap) I am sure that I, like other like minded black folks do preach self help and hard work. When I talk to kids, I give them the speech my father gave me: Racism is real, and it's going to be here. But work hard, don't look over your shoulders, and try to be better than the next person at whatever it is you choose to do. But don't be dumb enough to think that the world is free of racism, or worse, bigotry. Because if you think that way, when you are confronted with it, think how much harder it will be for you to brush yourself off and get right back up again.
I have traveled all over the world, and I am here to tell you that racism exists every fucking where. Yes, even in countries dominated by a black population. In fact, in some cases, it is even stronger there. Because, my friends, the people in those countries have a mind set like Ms. Diva, and they have been influenced by racist views and influences to hate themselves. That is the saddest and most insidious thing about racism; it causes people to actually hate themselves. And for some reason, that I am still trying hard to understand, this form of racism affects black folks more than anyone of the other races.
So Diva, I get tired of talking about racism too. I would much prefer to dedicate this blog to Lark Voorhies and my life long quest to hook up with girlfriend. But hey; this is, after all, a blog, and I have to write about the shit that I see and that effects me on a daily basis. So until Lark calls and says; "Hi field Negro, this is Lark Voorhies; I hear you have been looking for me". My black ass will be talking about racism and every other ism that's making my world just a little more fucked up to live in right about now.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Hillary lays down a "bitch" slap.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Can a field Negro just get some lunch?
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Can you start a revolution from a keypad?
The blogger, I think he called himself “thereisnospoon”, or some such crap, was responding to a post by AA Pundit about the lack of diversity at Yearly Kos. As you can see, this kossack seemed to be suggesting that maybe blacks don’t necessarily have the proper…ahem ahem, writing skills to be able to participate with main stream blogs. And, we are just so woe is me and po, that we could not afford to attend a convention like Yearly Kos. Like what’s so speacial about that f….whoops, I almost cursed. (I promised Asa and the rest of the gang that I would try to keep the swearing down when I post on the Spear ) Point is, I don’t think Kos or any of those so called big blogs are so special. I think, for the most part, they are legends in their own minds.
But I think what what we have here is special. I love the fact that when I open my e-mails every day, I have about thirty or more messages from fellow AfroSpear/Sphere bloggers, debating and talking about issues that effect us. I love the fact that even though we are going through growing pains right now, we are signing up new people every day, and gaining in numbers and strength. I love the fact that Asa, for instance, is a Christian, and I am agnostic. Yet, we can come together and agree on things that we consider important to our people and our race.
I know some people disagree, but I honestly think that we can start a movement right from the comfort of our homes or wherever we happen to participate via the web. I look at the net roots and other political movements centered around the web, and I am encouraged by the potential that I see here. I am encouraged because I can see us doing the very same thing. And not only focusing on North American politics and social issues; but the entire African Diaspora, and all the issues facing us as a people around the world.
I would love nothing more than to see every blogger of color in the world coming together as one unified force. Pooling our knowledge, resources, and various skills to effectuate change for the better for our people, and to force people to take the issues we hold dear, more serious.
So to answer the question in the title; yes we can. It might be a quiet revolution, but it will be a revolution nevertheless. In fact, I think it has already started. I am encouraged when I go to technorati and see new blogs of color starting up every day. And when I see young and older people of color blogging about their feelings and about all the things that is going on out here, it makes me realize that they care too, and that this revolution can be a big one.
Let’s build on this foundation we have laid so far, and let’s keep this thing going. I can feel something bigger coming, and I am excited. This is the hardest part, rallying the troops to get the things that we want to do off the ground. But I honestly believe in that old saying which says that “the darkest part of the night is right before the dawn”. Let’s remember that as we do this blogging thing, and as we try to start this revolution from our keypads.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Musings from my barber's chair.
Saturday morning, time to get a straight razor to my dome. With that in mind, I head to my favorite barber so that he can do his thing. As usual, while sitting there this morning,all lathered up and relaxed, I had some thoughts:
Like do people realize that if Hillary is elected President and goes on to win two terms, we will have had 28 years of the Clintons and the Bush Klan in the White House?
Like why are people even considering Mitt Romney as a serous Presidential candidate when the man is obviously a sleaze ball, and a charlatan? And speaking of Mitt; why didn't he get in more trouble with the MSM for his dumb ass comments about his five sons helping the country by not going to war but working for him.
If there is a God I hope he (or she) forgives me. But sometimes I hope the batteries in Dick Cheney's pace maker would stop working.
Like I wonder if those horrific shootings in Newark of those three college kids will be the tipping point, and America will start realizing what we have a serious crisis in our inner cities.
Is it me, or has these mining disasters increased under the Bush administration?
Why can't Halle Berry keep a freaking man?
Why is Oprah, and Gayle ( her best friend) still single?
Does Condi ever get her freak on?
Why is it that every time I see Harold Ford I want to take a shower?
Is there any woman in Washington that Fred Thomson hasn't slept with?
Why can't we use our cell phones on an airplane?
If milk does a body good, why are cows so damn fat?
Why isn't Roger Clemens under as much scrutiny as Barry Bonds? They are both dealing into their forties , and they have both broken a bunch of baseball's precious records.
These people that are always insisting we close our borders, and that the government should not encourage open borders. Would they feel the same way if the government banned travel the other way too? How would they like it if our government said we can't leave the country during the winter months? I mean that is closing the borders isn't it? The State Department does it now with Cuba and it's bullshit.
I am thinking people who delink me from their site, or ban my IP address, can kiss my ass.
I am thinking the most exciting attraction this summer in Philly was the big dig under George Washington's home where the slave quarters were discovered. History was being dug up right before our very eyes. Yep, looks like old George had him some slaves hidden away too.
I am thinking after reading some of these big and popular left wing blogs; that those ass holes, pin heads,and wanna be policy wonks, are just as clueless, and boneheaded as their republican buddies to the right of them.
I am thinking it's going to take a real revolution in this country before poor people will even have a shot. Cause right now the system is stacked against them. They could pursue happiness from now until I go to bed with Lark Voorhies, and it ain't gonna change shit for them.
Do I really give a damn if the Yearly Kos convention had people of color? No!
Do I give a damn about the people at Kos and what they do, and who the want to ban or exclude from their wonder bread liberal club? No!
Do I care about other bloggers of color and how we can come together to address the shit that effects us? Yes!
And is that Colin Powell's picture I saw on the back of my milk carton this morning at breakfast?
I am thinking my dome looks pretty good, and I should leave my barber a nice tip.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
The politician and the pole
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Orphans of violence
756!!!!!
Monday, August 06, 2007
A day in the life
***That movie was the "Bourne Ultimatum and not Supremacy***