boiled meat

Forget the Presedential Seal.... this, hehehehe

no, I'm not talking about the impending indictments, which is good news - get the damn traitors out of government -- what I'm talking about is Wal-Mart -- bummer.

Cripes, the end of days is upon us. via Rawstory...

I'm not going to applaud any of Wal-mart's actions yet, but for them to come out in favor of raising the wage is amazing.

While it is unusual for us to take a public position on a public policy issue of this kind, we simply believe it is time for Congress to take a responsible look at the minimum wage and other legislation that may help working families," he said.

like I said, the end of days.

I'm purely disgusted. Landlord's are salivating at the idea of taking another step toward the gentrification of New Orleans (check out the interview on Democracy Now if you want some background on the whitewashing of the city).

Here's the story:

Landlords are expected to begin filing eviction requests with the courts immediately. If they're successful, they can clear out abandoned apartments and move tons of molding, waterlogged belongings to the streets within five to 10 days. In some cases, the landlords alone can make the decision to evict.

What the hell is wrong with these people? As Laura Tuttle, a lawyer with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services says,

"That is somebody's life in there: pictures of their babies and school photos ... you would want a chance to save it."

Why do they want to start evicting now? Because "imported workers could live there." I shit you not. Imported workers. Haliburton's underwaged employees. Damnit!

Native Orleanias couldn't get out of the city before because they lacked the funds, and the ability to do so, so how the hell are they suppossed to get back when Blanco gives the all clear?

Landlords say their tenets are not checking in or letting them know they will be back. Is the government giving them phone cards and assisting them with finding their landlord's numbers? If not, how the hell are they suppossed to call and "check in" with their landlords? This is beyond ridiculous, callous, inhumane. It's purely a shitty thing to do.

Of course, it's all about the money and gentrifying New Orleans. I mean who can forget these remarkable words as reported in the Post

Rep. Richard H. Baker, a 10-term Republican from Baton Rouge. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that he was overheard telling lobbyists: "We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did."

Actually, you're doing a good job of it with the help of shitty laws and emotional detachment that clearly signifies your break with humanity, you blood-sucking repugzombie.

I apologize for the rant -- I'm ussually a little more coherant, cogent in my posts --- at least I try to be -- but this makes me crazy.

I have family loading up their van, or should I say mini-ark with a German Shepard, Terrier, African Parrot, and 3 cats, and coming down for a visit while another hurrican batters the Keys. I look forward to their visit, but wish it wasn't under these kinds of circustances again.

I've been talking with people who were at the riots, culling the papers, and discussing with people where I work. There are many theories floating around different communities about what happenned and why. When I get a chance, I'll write up what I've garnered -- though the little blip of attention it receioved seems to be all it will receive.

Wallace and Grommit is fun. Not as strong as some of the others but fun nonetheless.

Another frat boy, good-natured prank, I'm sure. Somebody needs to read "how to win freinds and influence people" --

If you missed this news segment, C&L has it. Aamzing.

shorter Brown: we'll get back to you on the whole FEMA saving people thing; my po'boy takes some time to be made, dontcha know?

If you want some background on what brought the Nazis to Toledo and my original thoughts on race relations in the US strained you can check this out.

The more I think about what happened in Toledo, the more it bothers me. I'm not only shocked by the actions of both the cops and the crowd, but also by the sheer deafening silence. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no race-related issues whatsoever even if race is a major part of the story.

After Katrina there was some hand-wringing by conservatives like John Leo and Jonah Goldberg essentially saying the race issue was a "canard" or a worse yet, tool used by liberals. Meanwhile the National Report's highlighting some outspoken black leaders saying things like:

Rev. Al Sharpton. "I think Kanye said what a lot of us have been saying and he should be supported and protected for having the nerve to say it."

Sharpton adds that race was a reason for the slow response. "I do not think for one minute if this had been a city or region that the populous was White to the degree that this region is Black that George Bush would have sat two days on vacation and then flew the other way to San Diego and not been personally involved."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. "We were long on warning and slow on preparation. We knew way before this the storm was coming. The most able got out of the city. The least able remained and they knew who the least able were without trying to rescue them."

Race factored into the slow response, said Princeton University scholar/author Dr. Cornel West. "I think brother Kanye West hit the nail on the head that we've got an administration whose priorities do not include the well-being of poor people in general and poor Black people in particular. That's how you can end up herding these precious human beings into a Superdome with no plan, no food, no water, nothing. And then after a few days when people get upset and want to take some food, they become looters, but on the White side of town they are just looking for food. You can see the naked truth."

Dean even came out strong on the issue, but let it pass and is now seemingly more interested in strong PR messages for the Democratic Party and new techniques to "beat" the repugs rather than truly focusing the Party on discussing something filled with landmines like race and class.

Of course there were a few black leaders like Bishop T.D. Jakes who says, Many questions deserve to be answered, and it is a conversation that should and will happen in due time. Right now, we must focus on saving lives, and caring for the survivors who lost everything." To me this sounded very much like the 8 well-meaning clergymen who wrote to Martin Luther King prompting his seminal response "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" because ultimately if we wait, we will forget and nothing will change.

Though there are other leaders like Nagin and Congresswoman Maxine Waters who question whether race had anything to do with it, but have no problem focusing on class. Remember "anything but race."

This is eerily similar to Ford's comments that race did not play a part in these riots. Instead it was gangs or outside elements that were airing grievances, although he would delve into what those grievances may be.

So what's up with this "it's not race" canard? Even Robert Davis came out and said race wasn't a factor. Watch the unedited version and you tell me. That line sounded more like a lawyer telling his client they'll get more money if they don't make this a race issue. You can imagine the discussion: look, Robert, people are tired of the race thing and if you pull that issue into the courtroom, the jury will see some black guy just trying to get rich -- this is Louisiana afterall." And if anyone wants to tell me that race is not an issue I have a story to tell. Back in 90-92 I worked for a lobbyist in Baton Rouge. I was an editor for the trade publication and also helped out during legislative session by serving food/drinks to legislators who would walk across the street from the statehouse to my boss's residence in Spanish Town. While there, I heard a number of these men say the term "bluegum" while working on the state's business. I had never heard the term before and since I've moved, I haven't heard it since.

Now here is the situation. 60 people were arrested yesterday and not one was a nazi. As one resident is quoted in the Blade today:

By 11:15 a.m., police had already reported rocks flying. Along Stickney Avenue, as mounted patrol officers pushed back the crowd off the sidewalk, angry residents screamed at passing police.

“Which side are you on?” shrieked one woman. “I don’t see you pushing any Nazis back!”

The animosity and past injustices are boiling and if anyone wants to pretend these are "just" gangs or anarchists or whatever, then they are missing the bigger picture. Katrina brought it to the forefront. Bennet's comments poured some salt in the wound. Nazis in a black neighborhood, without permit, being protected by cops is a slap in the face.

The city could have given them a permit away from the neighborhood, but they didn't. They sent cops in to let them egg on the crowd. They allowedNazisnazis to scream their bile at the family's in the neighborhood including young kids, of course there's going to be a reaction. I wouldn't let some jerk yell crap in front of my house at my kids either.

Here's the thing though, we won't talk about the anger over profiling, the anger over poverty, the anger over the outright attacks on affirmative action (cause we know after 40 years everything is fixed), the anger over taking so many of the men to prison for non-violent offenses, the anger over lack of healthcare, the anger over racist assholes on TV like Coulter, Bennet, Hume, and their ilk who are not publicly disowned or punished for their ridiculous comments (even the WSJ still touts that idiot "Bell Curve", but instead pretend that they are all disparate elements and brush them aside.

For my kids' sakes, for our country's sake, we better stop "waiting for the right time" to start talking about this.

A Nazi march was met with a major counter demonstartion taht turned violent. Mayor Ford declared a state of emergency and the city has a 8 pm curfew.

Here's some information on the current situiation.

From what we can gather so far, nazi's came to march in this historic neighborhood because gangs were "terrorizing" whites in the neighborhood. The nazi's quickly absconded after being completely outnumbered and being threatened by the crowd.

Ford thinks the crowd turned on the cops who were protecting the nazis and that the gangs saw this as a "turf" thing. He also believes gangs and other residents were airing "other grievances" but did not go any further.

The images are disturbing, especially when the crowd turned on an ambulance. Ridiculous. I'll try and get some pics up soon.

I'll write more including some analysis tomorrow. Right now I'm angry that the nazi's get what they wanted with the violence. Check out my previous dairy which gives some background on the issue.

Here's an AP Video.

There are a couple of things that bother me about this and I'll analuzeit more later.

subway terror plot -- uncorraborated-- noooo, really?

the only thing the administration did was push a little to early as Fitzgerald wasn't ready to indict yet.

Some really bad news must be coming down the pike for Rove et al. terror warnings are elevated, but as John points out -- it's not quite clear why.

Wag. The. Dog.

Go attack poodles, go.

Yes, there is another one to add to the list. What list? I'm glad you asked because it's one that I would hope will grow significantly but right now remains relatively thin -- it's my short list of top-notch reporters. Kim Sengupta, who I linked to the other day depicting how the Iraq war hurt our response to Katrina.

I finally had a chance to backtrack and look at her work. You should too. And keep an eye on her; she's telling some remarkable stories.

I have had a great deal on my plate and this is not what I should be doing, but there's just so much going on.

First there is this wonderful feel good story in September after the hurricane about a local community building housing for about 50 displaced people from Mississippi. Unfortunately it turned. I wrote about how soon these communities would turn against their better natures out of fear.

Here's the lede:

After an emotional public hearing last night in this Henry County rural community, the welcome mat was pulled from a temporary housing project for hurricane evacuees.

Indeed it was. The pastor calls it prejudice. And pointed out a number of things:

Mr. Barnett said that the media has portrayed the hurricane victims as "angry blacks" who have a welfare mentality, and who have been in the welfare system for a long time. "It does not take a rocket scientist to look around and see that there are no black people among us," he said, adding that "there is a lot of racial prejudice in northwest Ohio, in this area."

He further said that blacks are not here "because they are not welcomed here."

(snip) Mrs. Ripke said she and others are not prejudiced and are offended by his comments, but residents are parents who are worried about the safety of their children.

The main goal, she said, is to protect the children and she questioned how the church would keep the community safe if the evacuees came, noting that the community lacks a local police department.

Yes, the fear has seived up past the goodwill of humanity and has once again turned Americans away from assisting other Americans. It's a sad day for Ohio. It's a sad day for all of us. Digby has been all over this issue of fear of African Americans and has done some wonderful research -- go check him out.

Yep, you put your right foot in:

Today, President Bush announced his choice to succeed Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as the next Supreme Court Justice: Harriet Miers. Ms. Miers is the third woman to be nominated for the Supreme Court, and like Justice O'Connor is a legal trailblazer. Ms. Miers is an extremely well-qualified and fair-minded individual who is committed to interpreting the law instead of legislating from the bench.

Kenny-boy Mehlman 10/6/05

and you shake it all about:

The conservative uprising against President Bush escalated yesterday as Republican activists angry over his nomination of White House counsel Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court confronted the president's envoys during a pair of tense closed-door meetings.

you put your left leg in (my bold):

President Bush selected Ms. Miers after embarking on a thorough and deliberate thought process. This confirmation however promises to be much more contentious than the confirmation of Judge John Roberts. Before Ms. Miers was even announced many Democrat groups said they would oppose her. They have no interest in giving Ms. Miers a fair hearing or vote. They are promising to throw every punch, make every accusation and pressure every Senator to oppose this nominee no matter what her qualifications may be. We have to be prepared to counter their actions and that is why Harriet Miers needs your help

Ken Mehlman

and shake it all around:

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV): "I Like Harriet Miers, As White House Counsel She Has Worked With Me In A Courteous And Professional Manner." (Sen. Harry Reid, Press Release, 10/3/05)

Reid: "I Am Also Impressed With The Fact That [Meirs] Was A Trailblazer For Woman As A Managing Partner Of Major Dallas Law Firm And The First Women President Of The Texas Bar Association." (Sen. Harry Reid, Press Release, 10/3/05)
Reid: "In My View, The Supreme Court Would Benefit From The Addition Of A Justice Who Has Real Experience As A Practicing Lawyer. The Current Justices Have All Been Chosen From Lower Federal Courts, A Nominee With Relevant Non-Judicial Experience Would Bring A Different And Useful Prospective To The Court." (Sen. Harry Reid, Press Release, 10/3/05)

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): "[W]hen I Choose Judges In New York, I Look For Practical Experience. And So The Fact That She Hasn't Been A Judge Before, To Me Is Actually A Positive, Not A Negative." (Sen. Charles Schumer, Press Conference, 10/3/05)

you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around -- that's what it's all about.

Hacket is in. DeW(h)ine has a race on his hands. Good. About time.

Sooner or later they'll get it.

Williams starting to get it?

Gilliard says it better than I ever could.

The Republicans are imploding. Delay again. Oh man.

Meanwhile Taft is busted on more gifts he did not reveal on his "updated" and full-disclosure forms. Guess that's why he's at 15% approval.

Radioactive.

I'm still amazed by the crowd that says race wasn't involved or is not an issue with the hurricane and the subsequent refugees. Consider:

By 3-1, African-Americans believe that federal aid took so long to arrive in New Orleans in part because the city was poor and black.

By an equally large margin, whites disagree.

Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 71% of blacks say the disaster shows racial inequality remains a major problem in this country.

56% of whites said this was not an important lesson from the disaster.

Shorter whites: "problem? what problem?" shorter blacks: "of course whitey don't see any problems, cause he's white."

But now the issue is, where are these people going to live? Any houses for sale in your white suburbs? How many whites want a family from the superdome moving in next door? How about a couple of families moving in? C'mon, be honest. No, not my neighborhood -- everyone knows "half" of the evacuees have rap sheets. It sucks to be them, but for god's sake, I moved out to the suberbs to be away from that "element".

Black Mob rule is still a fear that we just can't seem to shake as a society. Ever since it was so succinctly depicted in the film "Birth of a Nation" (which the President at the time said it was like writing history with a lightning bolt), the fear of hordes of lazy, criminal blacks invading our neighborhoods and driving down home values is a latent part of our white psyche. Digby (link to the left) has been all over this.

So I'm not sure why we can't at least recognize that white's do have feelings/fears about the refugees and the refugees are equally concerned.

Dubois tackled this idea in "This Double Conciousness" back in the early 1900's. Specifically, if we currently look on the TV and see black Americans and not Americans, race is an issue.

So the Iraq fiasco hurt our response to Katrina. Hmm, tell me something I didn't know.

Meanwhile that whole spreading democracy thing is getting a little ugly -- But you know, democracy is hard work.

Who was that guy, you know, dead or alive guy, c'mon, the one who masterminded 9/11- - yeah, the bearded fellow who is america's number 1 enemy? Oh, Osama. Hehehehe, I guess I forgot like the rest of the freakin' news.

Classic Bush. No experience being a judge, but she is a wonderful friend, confidant, and "yes-woman" who is extremely loyal. Harriet Miers has been nomintaed to the Supreme Court.

Maybe we can nominate Judy Miller for a nobel prize in fiction? Wait, satire is dead, isn't it.

Seriously, this has to be a bait and switch. She was a lawyer, manager, state bar president, and served on the city council. Is the rest of the world laughing yet?