Another American Tragedy.

"We don’t yet know all the details at this moment,” the president continued. “We will share them as we get them. What we do know is that a number of American soldiers have been killed and even more have been wounded in a horrific outburst of violence.”
“My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and with the families of the fallen and those who live and serve at Ft. Hood,”...These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis."

Mr. President, I couldn't agree with you more. Imagine, young men fresh out of high school, signing up to serve their country in a war torn land far away, only to be slaughtered by a comrade before they even leave American soil. They were already in a theater of war, they just didn't know it.

My heart goes out to the families of those twelve people who lost their lives, and to the folks who were injured. Who knows what went on in the mind of Maj.Malik Nadal Hasan. -Get used to that name, you will be hearing it a lot over the next few days.- A Jihadist? (As some are already suggesting.) Emotional problems? (The guy is a psychiatrist, so that would be the bitterest of ironies.) Or just a stressed out soldier with deeper personal problems? (We have been down that road before as well.) I don't know, but hopefully we will all know soon enough. The president himself is promising to give us answers, and they better be sooner rather than later. If not, I am sure that the crazies will be all too willing to make up some answers for us.

"There is no greater honor, but also no greater responsibility, than for me to make sure that the extraordinary men and women in uniform are properly cared for,'' ...We are going to stay on this.''

Mr. President, you don't have a choice.

Damn Yankees, and the skinny on Obama.

Let me start off tonight's post by saying congrats to the Zoo Yawk Hankees. Looks like the venerable franchise is going to win their 27th (or is it 28th) World Series at the expense of the "Fightens". That's an impressive run. I will ignore the fact that half of those championships came when there were like what, eight teams in baseball, not to mention a certain guy with a candy bar named after him wearing the pinstripes.

Still, I won't say anything negative about the Yankees tonight, they deserve their rings. Hopefully A-Rod's will be able to fit his ring finger. I am pretty sure that " the juice" doesn't swell those joints. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

So anywhooo, last night I blogged about Chris Christie's weight and I got some nasty e-mails about that. Quite a few people (no doubt conservatives) took offense to me making fun of the guy's wide girth.

Well, people in glass houses should never throw stones. Seems my man Matt Drudge, the Internet king of conservative news, took it upon himself to make an issue of the president's weight as well. Yeah but field, it's not like he was saying that guy is on crack or anything. He was just pointing out the fact that the president seems to have lost a few pounds. (Yeah right.)

And I was just pointing out that Chris Christie might appreciate a really nice meal every now and then. That's all. It doesn't mean that he won't make a fine governor.

"Eyebrows raised over the weekend as President Obama walked out of the gym at Fort McNair -- appearing thin as a rail! Rigorous workouts and high-stress basketball games are said to be behind the dramatic weight loss. "No, he's not chain smoking," claims an insider. "He's working non-stop for the country... yes, he does occasionally skip meals."The president explained in Miami last week: "Just because I'm skinny doesn't mean I'm not tough." "

That's right O man, besides, your suits still look good on you.

The thrill is gone.

Hip Hop Mike is happier than a house slave at an Antebellum dance tonight. Can't say I blame him. Looks like a clean sweep for the rethugs in Virginia ,and poor John Corzine is running for his political life in Jersey. The folks in Jersey might just be stuck with Chris Christie, the republican, for the next four years. (That's if he doesn't eat half of the state by then.)

But fear not Obamaholics, don't listen to the pundits, this is not a referendum on your boy. A-merry-cans still like him personally. They are just a little skittish about his policies right now. Make no mistake folks; without a movement to rally around, or a charismatic leader to lead them, people in this country who vote to the left of most issues are just never motivated to come out and vote. It's why I wouldn't be surprised to see the rethugs win everything in sight tonight. Throw in the fact that these are off year elections, and we still have a bad economy (thank you frat boy) and no one should be surprised.

Still, having said all of that, you Negroes in states like Virginia and New Jersey who didn't vote today should be ashamed of yourselves. Politics isn't about your gut emotions like your church, it's about issues. But field, what difference does it make? To some poor guy working at a dead end job and trying to feed a family on $10 an hour, it doesn't matter whether it's Corzine or Christie. Three or four years form now he will still be in the same dead end job. This is the political reality in A-merry-ca, field; the system is rigged.

Yes, but what about "Yes we can"? What about "Hope"? What about "We are the change that we have been waiting for"? Was it all just talk? Folks just caught up in the emotion of some awesome speeches? His O ness came to jersey stumping for Corzine, and the people came out to see him, but you just knew in your heart that they weren't going to come out and vote. They never do.

Only if his O ness himself was at the top of the ticket could their votes have been counted on. So what field, why should they have vote for Corzine? Look at all the corruption from democrats in New Jersey over the past few months. Yes, but you won't be hearing that from the folks over at Radio Rwanda and their minions. This will be all about the tea party movement and the real A-merry-ca rejecting that big government, Obama, and his power grab for our health care system.

Here in Philly we have a very important race to replace our current District Attorney and the voting was today. I guarantee you that we probably had a turnout of about 10% of the eligible voters. Yet, Joe Citizen will will be crying about the DA's office for one reason or another about a year from now. Sorry, don't want to hear it, vote next time.

This just in: The AP is reporting that Christie is the winner in Jersey!

O man, it's time to pull out the ear plugs.

Fright Night Redux.

*

Oh my! All these controversial costumes for Halloween. Who knew that the day reserved for scares could cause so many people to take leave of their sense and sensibilities.

That's not Lil Wayne in that pic, that's some stinking Dallas Cowgirls cheerleader trying to be funny. Now let's see if you black folks are outraged about this or if you think it's just another costume. I know we are not monolithic in our thinking, and, as was the case with our Hispanic friends,there will be differences of opinions. (BTW, go to the link, our little Cowgirl and her friends didn't leave out Hispanics.) But.....come on, she is a stinking Cowgirls cheerleader. As an Eagles fan, please believe that I hate the Cowgirls. If this woman was wearing a Mother Theresa costume I would want to find a reason to rip her ass.

But field, how can you be upset with her for posing as a black man when one of the Cowboy's players posed as a blond for a commercial? Haven't blonds been marginalized in this country? What about all those dumb blond jokes? Maybe she was just getting even. Well, first of all, he is a stinking Cowgirl, so nothing he does would surprise me. I honestly would not expect anything else from him. I think he was an idiot, and what he did was in poor taste as well. But the analogy would be a poor one.

Hey, I know that some of you think that you are living in post- racial A-merry-ca, and black face is cool right about now. But sorry, I am just not there yet. I still see far too many buffoons masquerading in black face that wasn't painted on. The argument that imitation is a form of flattery when it comes to this type of imagery just isn't tenable.

Ms. Dallas Cowgirl Cheerleader I didn't like your costume. And I sure as hell don't like your stinking team. The only good thing about this story is that you and your boyz will be here in Philly next weekend, and first place in the NFC East will be on the line. Hopefully we will lay a righteous smack down on your fraud of a team. And you and your black face costume; Jessica's man; and your owner with the sad looking nip and tuck job, will all -cheerleaders and team-be sent back to Dallas with your "tails between your legs". Tails, by the way, that aren't a part of any costume.

h/t to Greg Williams for this story, and to the website *Tazz Daddy.com

Go Phillies. 7-2 bottom of the 7th.

Pastor, please don't shoot, you might hit the usher.

"The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long.~Deuteronomy 33:12"

That verse from the good book should end with the words: I give my humble servant a Glock to protect thee with so that he can covereth thee better.

Seriously, WTF? I know it's bad in Motown, but preachers with guns?
The following is from the AP:

"DETROIT - The Rev. Lawrence Adams teaches his flock at the Westside Bible Church to turn the other cheek. Just in case, though, the 54-year-old retired police lieutenant also wears a handgun under his robe.

Adams is one of several Detroit clergymen who have taken to packing heat in the pulpit. They have committed their lives to a man who preached nonviolence and told followers to love their enemies. But they also say it's up to them to protect their parishioners in church.

"As a pastor, I'm referred to as a shepherd," Adams said. "Shepherds have the responsibility of watching over their flock. Do I want to hurt somebody? Absolutely not!"
Responding to a break-in at his church on a Sunday evening, Adams surprised a burglar carrying out a bag of loot and shot the man in the abdomen after the man swung the bag at him.

The burglar survived - for which Adams is grateful - but the pastor said he could have been hurt or killed if he had not been armed.

Detroit had the nation's highest homicide rate last year among cities of at least 500,000 residents. The city has been losing manufacturing jobs for decades, and these days about one in four working-age residents is without a job.

The northwest Detroit neighborhood surrounding Adams' church isn't one of the city's most dangerous. But there have been many recent reports of crimes in the area, including four burglaries, three auto thefts, one armed robbery, and four assaults, including one with intent to murder.

"It's getting worse because of the economy," Adams said. "People are out of work and feel they have to provide for their families."

Prior to 2000, anyone who wanted to carry a concealed weapon in Michigan had to show a need to do so. Now, gun owners simply have to pass a stringent background check and complete eight hours of handgun training.

"I get people from all walks of life, including pastors," said Rick Ector, owner of Rick's Firearm Academy in Detroit. "But it's not anything specific to pastors. Detroit is not a very safe place."
Michigan allows pastors to decide if someone registered to carry a handgun can do so for protection inside churches. "'

Oh lawd, pastor! Seriously, what ever happened to turning the other cheek? I guess with these urban terrorist running around that is not an option. So protect your flock you must. Oh yes, and let's not forget the offering plate. [Story]

A scary sight?

*

I survived the trick or treaters. That's reason enough to treat myself to something. -I am watching the Phillies and they are up 3-2 on the Hank-ees in the top of the 5th. So maybe, if they win, I will have my treat for the night.

Anywhooo, I saw an article that I wanted to share. Seems that some groups are up in arms over a Halloween costume which has been selling at Target and other stores. [*See pic]

"...Civil rights and anti-discrimination activists are up in arms over the "Illegal Alien Adult Costume," manufactured by Forum Novelties.
The costume includes an outer space alien mask, an orange jumpsuit with the words "Illegal Alien" across the chest and a fake green card.

After receiving complaints about the costume, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles wrote a letter to retailers asking them to stop selling the item. Executive director Angelica Salas called it "distasteful, mean-spirited, and ignorant of social stigmas and current debate on immigration reform," according to The Associated Press.
Some retailers, such as Target, have stopped selling the costume. " [Story]

Now, I must admit, (and I am sure you all will agree) that these kinds of stories tend to always take on a tendentious tone with me. When I suspect racism, xenophobia, or injustice in anyway, I tend to lose my objective ability to reason. Which is why I am going to leave this one to you all to tell me where this little costume issue comes down. I know Halloween costumes are supposed to be somewhat risque, but can they go too far in offending a particular group of people?

Inquiring minds -not to mention people of good conscience- want to know.

Go Phillies.

"Trick Or Treat"!

I left my office kind of late tonight, and then I went to West Philly to hit up my favorite Jamaican restaurant for some takeout. I am busting it up Roosevelt Boulevard because the food is smelling in the car and I can't wait to get home and throw down. -Yes, I will admit it; I was "starving like Marvin". -In a perfect world I get home before my food is even warm, I lay out my goodies on the table, and I partake.

But that is in a perfect world. In my world things never quite happen how you want them to. Rrrrrng rrrng rrrng. That would be Mrs. Field chirping me. "Field can you stop by the store and get lots and lots of candy, I forgot to pick some up on the way home and it's Halloween tomorrow. Did you forget?"" No, I didn't forget, I thought we weren't doing Halloween this year."" What made you think that?" " Well, honestly, I am really not down for having little kids ringing my bell on a Saturday evening when I am trying to do other things.'" What field, like watch the games? Just get the candy, please."

So I am in the damn grocery story picking over all sorts of candy to fill into little plastic pumpkin bowls. I am doing this so that the little crumb snatchers can invade my space and line their bags with their grubby little hands. A pirate; a witch; a monster; Batman; Spiderman....it will go on and on until the last candy bowl is cleaned out. And, of course, Mrs. Field will tell me to put out more candy. Field, you know there is more candy in there, put out some more bowls.

Trick or treat! Like what are they going to do if I don't give them shit? Toilet paper my front door or my car? I don't think so. I am sorry folks, but around here where I live, these little snatchers aren't going to do squat. They might look scary in their little costumes, but I ain't scared of em. Besides, most of them have their parents with them, they wouldn't dare try anything with mommy and daddy in tow.

How did we get to this place? Isn't this supposed to be a christian country? And isn't Halloween some kind of pagan celebration? Why can't you all be like The Jehovah's Witness and just say no to fright night? A-merry-ca is a scary enough place as it is, we don't need a night to celebrate being scared. (See what you caused Jamie Lee?) The only people who love Halloween are dentists and costume store owners.

"Field, did you get the little mini Kit Kats?"" No, I didn't get the little minnie Kit Kats."" Well how close are you?" "I am real close," I lied. "Well could you stop at the drug store down the street, they have some in there. " Can someone please tell me what exactly is the relationship between candy and being scared to death?

Tomorrow night, just for spite, I am giving each kid just one piece of candy. That's what they get for making my damn curry goat rice and plantain get cold.

Shooting off a mouth.

If I am going decry the wingnuts when they foam at the mouth and commit violent acts I have to get on the left when they do it as well.

(It's getting bad here in A-merry-ca when we can't feel safe in the place we call home or where we worship. )

Take the case of one of A-merry-ca's most famous "birthers", Lou Dobbs. Seems someone has been taking target practice at Lou's crib. If true, that is not cool. And, to make matters worse, Lou says his wife -that beautiful Mexican A-merry-can Princess- could have been hit.

"But I want to tell you, when you talk about what they've done - they've created an atmosphere and they've been unrelenting in their propaganda," Dobbs said. "Three weeks ago this morning, a shot was fired at my house where I live. My wife was standing out and that followed weeks and weeks of threatening phone calls."

See what "propaganda" can do folks? It can make folks crazy. Mr. Dobbs has a right to speak his mind, this is A-merry-ca, damn it! No one should fear being shot in their own home just because someone happens to disagree with what they are saying.

"And, as I told the state patrol, and by the way, the New Jersey State Patrol is absolutely terrific - they responded instantly. But this shot was fired with my wife not, I don't know, 15 feet away and we had threatening phone calls that I decided not to report because I get threatening phone calls," Dobbs continued. "I now - it's become a way of life - the anger, the hate, the vitriol, but it's taken a different tone where they've threatened my wife. They've now fired a shot at my house while my wife was standing next to the car. It's become something else."

Mr. Dobbs, I hope they catch the SOB's and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.

I bet they were illegals.

Now back to my Phillies. It's not looking good up in the Bronx. :(

A "teachable moment"?

It seems that a lot of bloggers in my area are all over the following story so I will bite.

Apparently a young Bucks County teacher, Matthew Curran, used a poor choice of visual aids to teach an 8th grade class about math.

Do you see that picture up there? That's what he used for his class on math to get them to focus on "solving equations." ( I am not sure what the hell that pic has to do with solving equations, unless, of course, they are going to count my man's teeth.) So now the Bucks County NAACP is outraged, and they want sensitivity training for the poor chap.

"We have a problem with sensitivity," said NAACP President John Jordan. "Some things are totally uncalled for and unnecessary, and this was one of them."

Hmmmm, I don't know folks, I would say that on a scale of one to ten on my racism meter this is registering as a four. I mean if the guy really is a racist wouldn't he do a better job of covering it up? He said he got the picture off of the Internet and he used it because it featured a caption with words his students are always using. ("Nooo Way") That seems plausible to me. But field, you do realize, don't you, that there is only one African American in the class. Well yeah, that is a little problematic... I tell you what; let's move Matthew Curran up to a five on the racism meter.

"John Jordan, President of the Bucks County NAACP, says the parents of the only African-American in the class expressed "anger, rage, disappointment" to the Central Bucks School District, the NAACP and now, attorney Ersula Cosby."The teacher went through a lot of trouble to find this offensive image," believes Cosby."

OK, I will give him a six, but that's it. [Story here]

Go Phillies!!!

"What about these niggers?"

I think we can all agree (well most of us) that the environment over at Radio Rwanda is inimical to black folks. But has anyone ever wondered about the provenance of this philosophy? Well, if you have, wonder no more, because with the help of my friends over at Media Matters I am about to show you:

"Under its president, Roger Ailes, Fox News routinely employs racially charged appeals to foment opposition to the Obama administration and other progressive figures, such as Glenn Beck's comments that President Obama is a "racist" and "has a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture." Before launching the Fox News Channel, Ailes worked as a media consultant for several Republican campaigns where evidence shows he similarly appealed to racial fears and biases for political gain, and as executive producer for Rush Limbaugh's television show, during which Limbaugh made several controversial statements.

Ailes' political and media history is littered with race-based appeals
As Nixon campaign consultant, Ailes reportedly looked for a "Wallaceite cab-driver" to bring up race at televised town hall meetings. As media consultant for Richard Nixon's 1968 campaign, Ailes directed televised town hall meetings in which Nixon answered questions from a supportive audience. According to Rick Pearlstein, Ailes suggested Nixon take a question from "A good, mean, Wallaceite cab-driver. Wouldn't that be great? Some guy to sit there and say, 'Awright, Mac, what about these niggers?" Pearlstein wrote, "Nixon then could abhor the uncivility of the words, while endorsing a 'moderate' version of the opinion. Ailes walked up and down a nearby taxi stand until he found a cabbie who fit the bill."
From Nixonland by Rick Pearlstein:

The panel questioners were unrehearsed. But they were also an effect of stagecraft. They were like those heterogeneous World War II-picture platoons: here a Jewish physician; there the president of an immigrant advocacy group; an outnumbered newsman or two to show the man in the arena wasn't ducking them; a surburban housewife; a businessman. In Philadelphia they hit a snag with the Jewish physician turned out to be a psychiatrist. "You should have heard Len on the phone when I told him I had one on the panel," one staffer related. "If I've ever heard a guy's voice turn white, that was it." (Garment had remembered his evening with Nixon in Elmer Bobst's Florida pool house: "anything except see a shrink.")

Ailes hit upon an idea for a substitute: "A good, mean, Wallaceite cab-driver. Wouldn't that be great? Some guy to sit there and say, 'Awright, Mac, what about these niggers?'" Nixon then could abhor the uncivility of the words, while endorsing a "moderate" version of the opinion. Ailes walked up and down a nearby taxi stand until he found a cabbie who fit the bill. [Nixonland, p. 331]
Ailes on 1988 strategy against Dukakis: "The only question is whether we depict Wille Horton with a knife in his hand or without it." Ailes was credited, along with Lee Atwater, with helping George H.W. Bush come from behind to beat Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis in the 1988 presidential election. Part of that winning strategy included portraying Dukakis as "soft on crime" and connecting him with convicted felon Willie Horton. Horton committed assault, armed robbery, and rape in Maryland during a weekend furlough -- a program granting temporary release to prisoners that Dukakis supported but was created under the previous governor. While the Bush campaign did not produce the Horton ad that was widely criticized as "racist," Ailes did produce the "Revolving Door" ad that similarly attacked Dukakis for the furlough program. The campaign also created "The Risk," a negative ad that referenced "a furlough escapee" who "terrorized a Maryland couple." Ailes has been quoted as saying, "The only question is whether we depict Willie Horton with a knife in his hand or without it."

Ailes' 1989 attacks on Dinkins for Giuliani "prey[ed] upon the fears of the Jewish community." As media consultant for Rudy Giuliani's first mayoral campaign, Ailes placed an ad in a prominent Yiddish Newspaper, The Algemeiner Journal, that featured an image of Guiliani's opponent David Dinkins -- who would become New York City's first African-American mayor -- alongside Jesse Jackson. The ad also displayed a photo of Giuliani with President George H.W. Bush, and the headline stated, ''Let the people of New York choose their own destiny" [New York Times, 9/30/1989]. Howard Kurtz reported that "Ira Silverman, vice president of the American Jewish Committee, said the Giuliani ad seemed a 'legitimate campaign tactic,' but said that he found it 'troubling' because it 'preys upon the fears of the Jewish community' " [Washington Post, 9/29/1989]. National Public Radio has further reported: "Giuliani also tagged Dinkins as a 'Jesse Jackson Democrat.' That was an appeal to the city's large contingent of Jewish voters, who had despised Jackson ever since he used an anti-Semitic epithet to describe New York City. In this context, Giuliani's signature issue of crime took on racial overtones, says political consultant Norman Adler." One of Giuliani's ads featured a New Yorker stating, "I'm tired of living in New York and being scared." From a November 4, 1989, New York Times article:.."

Sadly, Ailes is still using the "what about these niggers" strategy. It's just that now it's focused on the office of the president.

Thanks Ben.

Strong words!

The following comes from one of my favorite web sites, Crooks & Liars:

Sally Quinn went on The O'Reilly Factor to announce that she and all the other Villagers are just all a-flutter over the Obama White House's puzzling decision to stand up to its an organization that clearly declared war on his administration from its outset, i.e., Fox News.
But first she had to stop and sniff disdainfully in the direction of Alan Grayson for his gauche style of political rhetoric:

O'Reilly: Do you know this guy? He sounds like a loon.
Quinn: I don't know him. But guess what? Here we are talking about him. And I think that's what this is all about -- he's obviously getting the attention she desperately needs.
O'Reilly: OK, there could be something to be said for that. He represents the Orlando area. But he's certainly kind of unhinged. When you hear rhetoric like that -- you know, the Dick Cheney shooting the guy in the face, and this and that -- doesn't it sound a little immature?
Quinn: Well, I think that it's worse than immature. I mean, what he said was so completely over the top that it sounds like -- it reminded me a little bit of Blagojevich, you know. I mean --
O'Reilly: No, that's good. That's a good -- yeah. Kinda unhinged.
Quinn: Yeah, unhinged. It made no sense. So I don't think you can take it seriously. And I also think that if he -- I can't imagine the Democrats feeling good about this. Or the White House feeling good.
O'Reilly: Or his constituents.
Quinn: But you don't want this guy on your team.

Heavens no. We want people like Sally Quinn. The kind of Village maven who would go on 60 Minutes and slag the Clintons:
"If you consider the life of Bill Clinton," she said on "60 Minutes," "whenever he leaves the White House, he's going to get on a plane, and where is he going to go?"
"What do you mean?" a baffled Mike Wallace asked.
"Well, he -- he doesn't even have a home," she sniffed. "I mean, when you think about it, he's homeless. I mean, they've lived in sort of government properties all their lives."

The kind of "social adviser" who would pen long Washington Post op-eds bemoaning the way the Clintons "fouled the nest".
Yeah, we need advice from Sally Quinn, all right.
And that commentary we should take seriously? I guess you just had to tune in three hours beforehand for that." [Link]

Wow, Radio Rwanda is pulling out all the stops. Sally Quinn? The same Sally Quinn who slept her way to the top of her profession? Nice.

So anyway, what exactly did my man Alan Grayson say?

"I have trouble listening to what he says sometimes because of the blood that drips from his teeth while he‘s talking.But—but my response is this. He‘s just angry because the president doesn‘t shoot old men in the face. Oh, by the way, when he was done speaking, did he just then turn into a bat and fly away?"

Oh my! No wonder the wingnuts are not pleased. O man, maybe it's time your people left FOX NEWS alone and let folks like Alan Grayson do the heavy lifting. I think he is up for the challenge.