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07-22-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
TAVIS SAYS OBAMA SHOULDN'T GET AUTOMATIC PASS: Journalist says both candidates should be held accountable.
*"There is no such thing in America as race transcendence, and Obama's going to find that out real soon," said talk show host Tavis Smiley in an interview Monday with the Associated Press.
The veteran journalist has been in the eye of an Internet firestorm after making comments about the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee that were perceived as negative.
After criticizing Obama on "The Tom Joyner Morning Show" for choosing not to appear on Smiley's annual State of the Black Union gathering in February, the TV host was put on blast by a large contingent of the African-American community, who questioned his loyalty, motives and ego.
"Just because Barack Obama is black, doesn't mean he gets a pass on being held accountable on issues that matter to black people," Smiley maintains. "I'm not an Obama critic or a McCain critic. The term itself is dismissive and insulting."
Smiley will broadcast his talk show live to select markets from the Democratic convention in Denver from Aug. 25-28 and the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 1-4.
"I want to do what I always try to do, which is to be authentic in my coverage," Smiley says. "I'm an advocacy journalist, not a journalist in the traditional sense. I believe my role in the media is to get people to re-examine the assumptions they hold."
MLK'S KIDS DISCUSS REASONS FOR SUING DEXTER: MLK III says 'duty obligates us' to keep dad's legacy alive.
*Two of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s children have released a statement explaining their reasons for suing brother Dexter King for allegedly taking money from the estate of their deceased mother.
"We love our brother, yet we cannot ignore our responsibility to ensure that the corporation we are all shareholders and directors of is properly managed," read a statement by attorney, Jock Smith, who represents siblings Bernice and Martin III.
Their July 10 lawsuit against Dexter King, president and CEO of King Inc., claims he improperly took money from the estate of their late mother, Coretta Scott King, and mishandled the funds of King Inc., the estate of Martin Luther King Jr.
Dexter King, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is denying the allegations and has produced bank statements and other documents that he says show that he and his siblings have benefited equally from their parents' estates. He said the lawsuit stems from a disagreement with his siblings three years ago over the sale of the King Center in Atlanta. The three have basically been "estranged" since then, he said.
"At the end of the day, I love my siblings and my family, but they have chosen the low road, to use personal vindictiveness ... to [address issues] that I am certain can be resolved otherwise," Dexter King said, according to the newspaper.
In their statement, Bernice and Martin III claim it is Dexter who has taken the low road.
"It is unfortunate that our brother continues to use the media to attack our character and expose personal business transactions," Martin III and Bernice said. "In spite of these efforts, we will remain on the high road and approach this difficult matter with dignity and respect."
TUPAC'S JAGUAR ROLLS ONTO EBAY: Bids start at $40,000 for ride used in music video.
*A luxury car previously owned by late rapper Tupac Shakur can now be yours for the right price.
His 1995 green convertible Jaguar, which was featured in his video, "To Live & Die in L.A.," is being auctioned on the Web site eBay, with bids starting at $40,000, reports WENN.
The seller, known only as gloluv0504, claims the vehicle has 16,055 miles. The winning bidder will receive the car's original papers complete with Pac's name and signature.
The Jaguar XLS is currently located in Atlanta, Georgia - the city where Shakur's mother, Afeni, lives.
JANET'S 'MALFUNCTION' FINE OVERTURNED BY COURT: Monday's ruling negates FCC's decision to fine CBS stations for exposed breast.
*Janet Jackson's infamous 2004 "wardrobe malfunction" won't cost CBS stations a thing after Monday's decision by a U.S. appeals court to overturn the FCC's $550,000 indecency fine against CBS Corp.
The three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Federal Communications Commission "acted arbitrarily and capriciously" in issuing the fine for the fleeting image of nudity.
The 3rd Circuit judges - Chief Judge Anthony J. Scirica, Judge Marjorie O. Rendell and Judge Julio M. Fuentes - also ruled that the FCC deviated from its long-held approach of applying identical standards to words and images when reviewing complaints of indecency, reports the Associated Press.
In a statement Monday, CBS said it hoped the decision "will lead the FCC to return to the policy of restrained indecency enforcement it followed for decades."
"This is an important win for the entire broadcasting industry because it recognizes that there are rare instances, particularly during live programming, when it may not be possible to block unfortunate fleeting material, despite best efforts," the network said.
JASON TAYLOR QUICKSTEPS TO THE REDSKINS: NFL defensive end traded from Miami after Washington player has season-ending injury.
*After months of strained relations between the Miami Dolphins and their defensive end Jason Taylor, the six-time Pro Bowl player was traded Monday to the Washington Redskins.
The Skins moved quickly to acquire the recent "Dancing with the Stars" alum after its own DE, Phillip Daniels, suffered a season-ending injury. The Dolphins, in turn, will receive a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-rounder in 2010.
According to ESPN.com, Taylor told the Redskins he did not need to renegotiate and was willing to play for the final two years of his contract.
Taylor is scheduled to make $8.1 million this season. With around $9 million of cap room, the Redskins were able to work the trade quickly.
The Dolphins had been waiting for an opportunity to trade Taylor, who asked to be moved to a playoff contender at the beginning of the offseason.
Additionally, Miami executive vice president of football operations, Bill Parcells, was not pleased when the 33-year-old veteran missed all of the team's offseason work while competing on "Dancing With The Stars."
The 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year also fell out of favor in Miami after spending his offseason on the ABC series rather than working out with teammates.
"We're fortunate there was a guy that caliber on the market when somebody got hurt," Washington executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said.
"Normally, in most years, there's not a guy of that caliber on the market."
LIL SCRAPPY STABBED AND ARRESTED: Atlanta rapper free on bond after fight with sister's boyfriend.
*Lil Scrappy lived up to his name over the weekend. The rapper was arrested after getting into a fight with his sister's boyfriend in Atlanta, reports the Associated Press.
The 24-year-old, born Darryl Richardson, was taken to the DeKalb County jail and released later Sunday after posting $1,500 bond.
DeKalb County police spokesman Marcus Hodge tells the AP that Scrappy was stabbed during the fight that took place Friday afternoon after the couple argued. The rapper's injuries, however, weren't serious.
Police arrested the artist and charged him with felony marijuana possession, felony use of a weapon during a crime, misdemeanor obstruction of police officers and misdemeanor battery.
'OBAMA ONE' TAKES FLIGHT: Presumptive Democratic nominee tricks out his chartered Boeing 757.
*Sen. Barack Obama's campaign orchestrated an extreme makeover of his chartered plane in advance of his current tour through the Middle East and Europe.
The Democratic presidential candidate's Boeing 757 jet, dubbed "Obama One," is painted blue and white, features his rising sun logo on its tail and bears his slogan "Change We Can Believe In" along each side.
The aircraft's remodeled version was unveiled in Chicago Sunday before his departure overseas. It includes a secluded first class section for Obama, his family and top aides up front; a cabin reserved for staff with business class seating behind and an economy-style section in the back of the plane for press.
Obama was not at the unveiling. Citing security reasons, the press was not given advance notice of his departure earlier Sunday to Afghanistan.
SERENA OUT OF STANFORD DUE TO INJURY: Left knee acts up; also, sister Venus pulls out of next week's tourney due to knee injury.
*Bad knees are running amok among the U.S. Olympic women's team, which just added Serena Williams to the injured roster.
During her semifinal match against 85th-ranked Aleksandra Wozniak, Williams called the trainer while trailing 5-2 in the first set. She got her knee heavily taped by the trainer and came out to finish the set, but appeared to struggle to plant on her injured leg.
Wozniak held serve to win the set and won 11 straight points to take a 3-1 lead early in the second.
Williams appeared to injure the knee further while stretching for a backhand in the fifth game of the set and retired. She walked off the court and into the arms of her father, Richard.
Serena's sister Venus and Lindsay Davenport, the other U.S. Olympic singles players, have already pulled out of next week's East West Bank Classic in Carson, Calif., with right knee injuries.
DJIMON HOUNSOU REVIVING 'DOOM': Hounsou to star in and produce feature about central figure in 'Conan the Barbarian' comic.
*Djimon Hounsou is about to take on a huge film project based on a popular character in the "Conan the Barbarian" and "Kull" comicbooks.
Variety is reporting that the actor is teaming with Dynamite Entertainment to star in and produce a film version about immortal sorcerer Thulsa Doom, who will also be featured in his own comicbook series next year from publisher Dynamite, an imprint of Dynamic Forces.
Thulsa Doom originally appeared in the Robert E. Howard pulp story "Delcardes' Cat," published in the 1930s. The character was portrayed by James Earl Jones in 1982's "Conan the Barbarian."
The Thulsa Doom film, according to Variety, will showcase the origins of the flawed hero and show how his road to hell was paved with good intentions.
DENVER CONVENTION DRAWS MORE STARS: Black Eyed Peas, Russell Simmons join rumored guests Kanye, Wyclef, Ursh and N.E.R.D.
*When Sen. Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination for president next month in Denver, a bevy of entertainers will be on hand to witness the historic occasion.
Spike Lee, Kerry Washington, Forrest Whitaker and Rashida Jones are among the celebrities set to attend the Democratic National Convention so far.
While Kanye West, N.E.R.D., Usher and Wyclef Jean are in serious talks to perform, Russell Simmons and the Black Eyed Peas are confirmed to appear at separate parties held in conjunction with the convention - which runs from Aug. 25 through 27.
The Creative Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group that hosted parties for the Democrats in 2004, has announced that the Black Eyed Peas are scheduled to perform at the DNC gala at the Fillmore Auditorium on Aug.
27, reports the New York Daily News.
"The Black Eyed Peas represent a growing genre of music that emphasizes increased social awareness," said Robin Bronk, executive director of the Creative Coalition.
Meanwhile, Simmons is flying out to Denver for the Yoga Health Foundation's festival, which kicks off the night before the convention. He plans to stick around for the Democratic powwow.
"I'm going to the DNC to add my voice to the growing collective consciousness I believe is rising in this country," Simmons said. "I want to add my voice to this phenomenon that I believe is this country and the world's only salvation: the promotion of love over fear."
Other guests confirmed for the convention are Quentin Tarantino, Barry Levinson, Susan Sarandon, Warren Beatty, Annette Benning, Josh Lucas, Tim Daly, Matthew Modine, Dana Delany, Scarlett Johansson, and Rachel Leigh Cook.
DOWNEY'S BLACK MAN GIVEN THUMBS UP: Real African American co-star in 'Tropic Thunder' gives critique of actor's fake black role.
*Black actor Brandon T. Jackson is giving his "Tropic Thunder" co-star Robert Downey Jr. praise for his role as an Academy Award-winning white film star who dons makeup to take on a character written for an African American actor.
"To be honest, he played a black dude better than anybody I've seen!"
Jackson told People.com about Downey's performance in the Ben Stiller-directed film.
But, Jackson admitted to having some initial reservations about Downey's character.
"When I first read the script, I was like: What? Black face? But when I saw him [act] he, like, became a black man," Jackson says.
In the film, Downey, 43, plays Kirk Lazarus, an Oscar winner who is cast in the most expensive Vietnam war film ever. But Lazarus's character, Sgt. Osiris, was originally written as an African-American. Lazarus decides to dye his skin to play the role.
"It was just good acting," Jackson says. "It was weird on the set because he would keep going with the character. He's a method actor."
EUR FILM REVIEW: disFIGURED
Obese and Anorexic Women Bond in Body Image Dramedy
Film Review by Kam Williams
*Lydia (Deidra Edwards) is a queen-sized sales clerk who lives and works in Venice Beach, a trendy section of L.A. where it's fashionable for women to be thin.
Unable to measure up to that unreasonable, hourglass ideal despite dieting, she joins a fat acceptance support group dedicated to fighting prejudice against the obese.
In meetings, the members share their fears and frustrations about everything from dating to being teased to weight-loss surgery, while encouraging each other to love themselves just the way they are.
Darcy (Staci Lawrence), on the other hand, is an emaciated anorexic with a body dysmorphic disorder who thinks of herself as too fat. So, when she shows up saying she wants to join the group, people don't know what to make of her. After they take a vote and decide to reject her application, only Lydia offers a shoulder to cry on.
Although physically polar opposites, chubby and skinny still manage to bond because they are both lonely and have many issues in common revolving around hunger, fear, fashion and femininity. And their unlikely friendship is the focus of disFIGURED, a female empowerment flick filled with painfully dramatic moments offset by occasional comic asides.
This slice of life adventure paints a picture so realistic you often wince while wondering whether the talented cast was acting or just encouraged to be themselves in a series of improvised scenarios. Regardless, director Glenn Gers deserves raves for his refreshingly-honest exploration of such a sensitive subject.
A novel buddy vehicle contrasting the unique perspectives of a two segments of society ordinarily either marginalized in movies or treated almost as if they didn't exist at all.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 96 minutes
Studi Cinema Libre Studio
To see a trailer of disFIGURED, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4MVXkCKbyA
STEVEN IVORY: An Unfortunate Situation
*In December of 1978, Cheryl Lynn's "Got To Be Real" was the jam. No matter that its rhythm was a shameless rip of "Best Of My Love," the jubilant number one hit by sibling girl group, the Emotions, from a year earlier; the dramatic opening of the infectious, anthemic "Real" could send party people scurrying for dance partners like wartime fighter pilots scrambling to jets.
And when the DJ at the West Hollywood club cranked it up one Saturday night in '78, I knew exactly who I wanted to dance with.
I'd spotted her as Arthur and I entered the place and got a table. Across the room, she stood casual sentry at a cocktail table on behalf of the four fabulously dressed man eaters on the dance floor.
Doe eyes, formfitting black skirt and black boots presented a 20-something medley of virtue and iniquity that blew, as the saying went, my mind, its obliteration aided, no doubt, by the Colombian joint my compadre and I nursed in his car on the way over, after hitting Los Burritos.
She caught me looking and started to turn away but then, for a fleeting, sexy moment, returned a sultry, inquisitive gaze.
I didn't want to dance, really. That would just be my opening line. Dancing, conversation, exchanging numbers and lies at evening's end--forget all that. I wanted to marry this girl. Now. Silly, I know. But hopelessly entranced, I asked God to help me. In return, I'd do the right thing. Promise.
In my life, I'd made many promises to God, mostly during grade school, while pleading with Him to spare me going to the blackboard in math class. When I did go, He'd soften the humiliation of my cluelessness. He always came through.
However, once the miscellaneous danger had passed, I'd break my covenant. I felt bad about that. Thank God, He's forgiving.
But let me get this girl, I said, and I'd straighten up. Get back to church; marry her before sex, if that's what she, I mean, You wanted, God. I'd do right.
In any case, Arthur had found himself a young lady at the bar. My turn. I took a final swig of my Cuba Libre and began the journey to my destiny.
My walk became a swagger as I got in step with Miss Cheryl Lynn, absolutely tearin' it up though gargantuan JBL speakers: “What 'cha thannnnnnk-uh/What 'cha feeeeeel-uh/What 'cha knooooow-uh/to be REEAL!”
In this life, timing is everything. In one of its more striking instances, just as I reached my future wife's table and she turned to offer a warm smile, in the moment I extended my hand and began shouting over the music my invitation to dance, the DJ, implementing one of those antics DJs do to create frenzy on the dance floor, barked into the microphone, “EVERYBODY FREEZE!”
It was for a mere second that he stopped the music, but in that miniature space of relative silence, something truly unfortunate happened: I farted.
It was a cheeks-flapping fart, classic in its might. This was the sound of a #6 cheese enchilada combination plate.
I was stunned. What do you do after you've passed, before a complete stranger, human gas with the sonic fury of a small caliber hand gun? If you're me on a Saturday night in 1978, you stand there wearing a shit-eating grin--no pun intended, truly--and proceed with a now awkward and utterly uncomfortable introduction, as if nothing had happened, when already, positively too much had happened.
Whether or not she whiffed anything beyond the curious combination of Gray Flannel in which I'd practically bathed and weed smoke in my jacket fibers, I knew she heard that fart. Her welcoming smile went suddenly tight; our eye contact became intense and unflinching, as when people are trying to seem in the moment while their brains race to process an event.
I don't remember much else accept that my sheer presence suddenly seemed to frighten the poor girl. Cheryl Lynn played on as I stood there for a minute that seemed a Biblical eternity before just walking away--wishing that something would instantly occur to bury the moment, like someone dropping an atom bomb on metropolitan Los Angeles. But then, I'd just done that.
Indeed, just that quick, it was over: marriage, kids, the picket fence, judgmental in-laws--at the speed of light, the possibilities for true love or impassioned dysfunction had gone up in a nuclear cloud of refried beans.
Like a forlorn puppy dog, I went to Arthur. He and his new friend were heading to a blues joint up the street, if I wanted to come. Yes. Please. You, your new friend, the police, men in white suits, hell, Calgon--somebody please take me away.
Over my shoulder, my final vision of this $10 bucks-a-head Gomorrah was of the four fabulously dressed man eaters, gaping at me, in various stages of laughter--she, who graciously refused to look, had obviously told them--their exhilarated cackling drowned out by, not coincidentally, Evelyn “Champagne” King's “Shame.”
However, above King's soulful wail I could hear yet another voice--the unmistakable timbre of omnipotence, divinity and ultimate compassion that could only be the voice of the Almighty Himself, attempting not to break into full guffaw as He whispered, “Payback is a Dog.”
Steven Ivory's book, FOOL IN LOVE (Touchstone/Simon & Schuster) is in stores now or at Amazon.com (www.Amazon.com) Respond to him via STEVRIVORY@AOL.COM or MYfeedback@eurweb.com
ASK ADVICE CHICK: Answers to YOUR Dating, Sex, Life, & Love Questions!
By AdviceChick @ameritech.net
>>> Coming 8-22-08 … The ULTIMATE Ladies NITE Out - CHICAGO!
Visit http://www.hireblackdancers.com NOW For the details!
Send YOUR questions to AdviceChick @ameritech.net !
Dear Advice Chick,
*I am writing this as more of a confessional than a question, but if I touch something in your heart, please share with the world. A good man is considered someone who is emotionally supportive, financially supportive, and physically supportive. So if a man steps out with another woman does it mean he has lower feelings for his significant other than said? Does it mean all they have shared, experienced, laughed about, cried about mean nothing? Does one act of indiscretion erase years of faithfulness? Does it erase the fact that he still pays all the bills, still romances his woman every chance he gets, still picks up the kids and takes the kids out so the mother can have some alone time (even when the kids are not his). Is a good man capable of falling by the wayside, and still being considered a good man? Is the love they share not strong enough for both to realize that love and sex are not intertwined but two separate entities that so many of us get confused?
If a man steps out before marriage, and then once marriage has commenced stays faithful for life, does that one indiscretion not make him a good man? Or is a good man one you can count on in times of need and times of want. He will make a way out of no way and even sacrifice his own happiness so the woman and kids can be happy. Can a good man not stumble? Women put so much emphasis on faithfulness and how doggish a man can be, but what about the good ones who don't ruin there family lives for a skeezer on the Street? What about the good ones who cry with their women, pray to God for their Women’s happiness, and will lay down his life to protect hers. Is that one indiscretion make him no less a good man? Physical bonds have not hold if there are no spiritual, emotional, and mental bonds. Is a piece of ass worth a great relationship? HELL NO. But is it a great relationship if that storm cannot be weathered?
I have read your column over the past year, and your advice is stern, yet sound and realistic. So please help me, I am confused not by what is done, but by what the consequences are........Yours truly, A stumbling (good) man
Advice Chick replies,
I ain’t buying it. You already know you’re stumbling, so it’s your charge to do everything you can not to fall, and not to fail your current relationship. A piece of ass is not worth sacrificing your good thing at home. The consequences are real. You can lose everything. It’s not just women who place so much emphasis on faithfulness, God also commands us to be faithful to our spouse. You heard that? We’re to be faithful to our spouse – not our baby daddy, baby momma, sugar daddy, or sugar dumpling. I realize many of us live with our mates, and those of us who do are living in sin. Sex is supposed to be enjoyed with your husband, or wife.
Who’s to say that the hoochie you’re thinking about hitt’in doesn’t have a disease? She can have the big one, AIDS, or one of hundreds of other S.T.D’s. Condoms are not 100%, bruh. Relationships are ridden with trials and tribulations. Many of which are unforeseen, and/or unexpected. Your pee pee throbbing for another woman doesn’t qualify for either. You raised some valid issues, but they hold no water. Do not step out on your girl, and don’t let her remain your girl too long. Make her your wife, and keep the vows you make before friends, family, and God. Be strong - I’ve got faith in you.
ULTIMATE Ladies NITE Out CHICAGO will be held August 22, 2008! I’m seeking businesses and companies willing to provide items of value for my 100 goodie bag
give-a-ways and my six raffles!
I’m also seeking sponsors. For more info, please express your interest in an email to advicechick @ameritech.net.
Send YOUR questions and comments to Advice Chick right NOW! Please put “Dear Advice Chick” in the subject line so your email isn’t deleted as spam. Thanks! Send your emails t advicechick @ ameritech.net
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Ask Advice Chick about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING related to dating, sex, love, and life! She is THE resident dating expert at EURweb.com, and calls on over 11 years of dating and relationship industry experience.
THE MO'KELLY REPORT: Guest Columnist Sepehr Vakil
US Policy 'shift' on Iran-Iraq: Insincere Efforts to Undercut Barack Obama
*Obama supporters and progressives across the nation should be struggling to hold back tears of joy at what seems to be grand concessions to the liberal position on foreign policy. In the past week George Bush and company have signaled two major changes in policy towards Iraq and Iran. The first comes as a declaration by the administration to agree to a “general time horizon” for withdrawing American troops from Iraq. At first glance, this is a welcome departure from our dogmatic approach to indefinite troop deployment in Iraq. In a similarly refreshing fashion, the administration sent a top State Department official to meet with Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Geneva this Saturday. The meeting, organized by Javier Solana of the European Union, was intended to discuss the tense relationship of Iran and the West in regards to its contentious nuclear energy program.
The agreement to send William J. Burns, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, abandons the long-held position of the United States to not engage in serious talks with Iran until they suspend their uranium enrichment program. One would think all of the clamoring about diplomacy with our enemies and pulling out of Iraq has bared fruits in the form of radical policy change. After all, arguably the two most attractive features of Obama’s world vision were precisely his insistence on imposing a timetable for troop withdrawal, along with his ingenious idea of talking to his enemies instead of bombing them. Seems that the GOP beat him to the punch. If McCain is but a mere extension of the current administration, and if the current administration is down with troop withdrawal and intellectual banter with Islamic extremists, then what was so great about Obama again?
But before we put on our party hats and celebrate our nation’s new found epiphanies on world politics, we may want to take a closer look at some issues surrounding these recent events. For starters, the stated purpose of Burns in Geneva was to listen, NOT to negotiate. In other words, to do nothing but create the illusion of progress was the real agenda for the Geneva meeting. And nothing is exactly what happened. In fact, the meeting was little more than small talk and empty stares. The EU, led by policy chief Javier Solana, could not even formalize the “freeze-for-freeze” proposal which would have been a six week period where Iran would not add more centrifuges and the EU would not add to the sanctions already imposed on Iran. According to the IPS, this proposition was blocked due to the objections of the United States.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JG22Ak05.html
So the “major shift” in US policy is really a major sham intended to give the illusion of diplomacy when in reality nothing has changed in US policy. The official position of the US remains that Iran must agree to halt enrichment before any tangible negotiations can occur. On an equally stubborn front, a senior Iranian official said before the meeting that there is “no chance” that Iran will stop its uranium enrichment. (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/19/content_8574474.htm) This leads one to wonder why there is so much political theatre at play. One explanation would muse that Bush and Cheney are throwing a political hail-mary before officially going down as the worst partnership in the history of American politics. Looking deeper it seems that their reputation is beyond repair, and that any “changes” to policy are efforts to blur the distinction between themselves and the change campaign that Obama is running on. The more diplomatic the Bush administration seems in this final hour on the political stage, the harder of a time Obama will have in painting himself as the candidate for change.
Let’s also keep in mind that Iran has elections of their own coming up. All kinds of political posturing are at play for international audiences; most notably for those financially invested in the oil industry. Oil prices are not just a matter of supply and demand as other commodities tend to be, but also largely dependent on “speculation.” Read: if the threat of war is looming, the price of oil is booming. Which explains all of the belligerent sounding rhetoric coming from Iran, Israel, and the United States regarding the prospect of war. Thought our world leaders were just drunk and mouthing off? Think again, they are sober and carefully watching their assets. Illusions of instability not only result in higher oil prices, but also help in controlling domestic populations. The reality is that it is neither in Iran’s nor the United States’ interest to enter into military conflict.
The good news is that this would suggest we are not on the brink of war with Iran. In fact, the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (the real decision maker in Iran), has used very optimistic rhetoric about the hope for building good relations with the United States. While the President of Iran, Ahmadinejad, and other members of the government continue to be belligerent towards the West, Khamenei said that the latest offer of talks by the U.S is “a basis for discussions and pre-negotiations.” Additionally, the Iranian foreign minister spoke of opening a U.S-interests section in another embassy in Tehran, potentially opening travel routes and working on other common interests between the nations.
http://aljazeera.com/news/newsfull.php?newid=140339
So while tangible progress on the diplomatic front between the nations is a grim prospect in the immediate future, there is ample evidence suggesting that both nations will indeed move in that direction. Whether they will inch forward slowly or make impressive strides is largely dependent on the priorities of the administrations in power. And we all know which side of the aisle in the United States has diplomacy squarely on the radar; let’s just hope that the distinctions are as clear in Iran’s coming elections.
In regards to the shift in Iraq policy, the powers of perception are in full-swing yet again. On July 19th, the NY Times headlined, “Bush, in a Shift, Accepts Concept of Iraq Timeline.” To be clear, nothing was agreed on other than a “general time horizon.” This is little more than a play on words. A “general time horizon” appears to be ideologically in the camp of a dated plan to withdraw, yet it conveniently lacks any specific dates for the removal of troops. Want further evidence of the plasticity of such claims? How about all the panicking going on regarding Iraq’s prime minister’s clear affinity for Obama’s position on Iraq. Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s comment was published Saturday in an online version of a German magazine, and seemed to give an unexpected boost to the Obama campaign. Not surprisingly, after his words penetrated American media channels he quickly issued a statement saying he is not endorsing Mr. Obama’s presidency. I wonder what invisible forces inspired him to “clarify” his position. For the record, a direct translation in Arabic of Maliki’s comments amount t “Who wants to exit in a quicker way has a better assessment of the situation in Iraq.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/us/politics/20cndobama.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
One has to be only as sharp as a marble to call the administration’s bluff on the purported shift in policy in Iran and Iraq.
Sepehr Vakil is an Iranian-American free-lance journalist and electrical engineer living and working in Northern California.
THE BRIDGE: Top Ten Groups of Stupid People
By Darryl James
*In America, propaganda and media mythology allow people to believe things that make absolutely no sense. If one person says something, the media delivers it and enough people repeat it, the thing being said starts to sound good to stupid people hearing it or saying it.
In fact, some stupid people embrace the propaganda and get overly emotional and righteously indignant about things that they believe, but do not understand. These are people without a real perspective of their own, save what they think they see in their daily lives.
Sadly, many Americans are just stupid people. So stupid that they believe in things and do things that defy logic and reason.
In another Top Ten list, here are my Top Ten Groups of Stupid People.
1. Americans who hate people from the Middle East, instead of Bush, his friends and other Americans who support making war on oil-rich nations.
Bashing people who are of Middle Eastern descent, including hatred and actual violence will not bring the troops home and will not bring an end to a war that should have never occurred.
Honestly, many of the people who are being bombed and shot at are average citizens of sovereign nations and some of the attacks on American troops are no different than if another nation occupied America with military presence. They didn’t ask Bush to come and bring troops and the time for pulling out has long past. Let’s put the blame where it belongs—on the goofy administration concerned more with foreign affairs than domestic affairs. If you know of any reason for the troops being there other than oil, please state your case, because Bush doesn’t even bring bin Laden’s name up anymore.
2. Women who are still angry over Hillary Clinton losing the primary election.
Hillary lost the primary election because too many people recognized that she is a disingenuous, mercenary racist who would have done anything to win. It’s time to let go of a dream that was really a nightmare and embrace a dream that is tangible and possible.
3. Blacks who think Barack Obama is above being tainted by politics.
Certainly, Senator Obama has shown himself to be a man of more integrity than the average politician, but since we know that politics is a dirty game, we should not be surprised if he makes friends with some questionable people along the way to the White House. For example, Hillary Clinton just may be his VP running mate…
4. Americans who think that there is something good to come from having US Military presence in the Middle East.
Let’s be honest—most Americans have no idea of the real reason why American troops are stationed in the Middle East, so let’s stop pretending that there is some noble cause involved. There are too many unresolved issues in this nation to be spending billions overseas. Damn, can our children get smaller classrooms, updated textbooks, better teachers (which will come at a higher cost), Physical Education or Band back in the schools?
5. People driving SUVs, even though they have no kids or even spouses, nothing to haul and no friends to ride.
Gas is as high as giraffe booty, yet we still see too many people mashing down the freeway in a mini-tank disguised as a consumer vehicle. And some of these people have the nerve to complain about the cost of gas.
6. Blacks who think Obama as a Black president means he will be president for Black people.
We see a clear example of color-blind politics (pun intended) in New York, where David Paterson, the state’s first Black governor, is refusing to deal with Black issues. Before he was Lt. Governor, Paterson was angry that the Attorney General refused to support the Black United Fund, but then joined the Attorney General on the ticket to become Governor. Now, as Governor, he refuses to deal with the issue. This is an extreme case of the wrong program.
We hope that Obama gives attention to neglected issues that affect Blacks, but he would be insane to pay more attention to Black citizens than the rest of the people who will elect him.
7. People who are angry that R. Kelly was acquitted and will now hold on to his case with OJ.
Sure, we know R’s a pervert, but that’s not enough to convict someone, otherwise, we would lock up 80% of the priests in America. I know, I know--no one wants to talk about child molesters in the church, so let’s get back to a diversion. If cops can beat Black people on tape and get acquitted, then why wouldn’t R. Kelly get acquitted when both he and the alleged victim denied that they were the people in the tape? Evidence? We don’t got no stinking evidence!
8. People who were surprised by Jesse Jackson’s outburst of hatred towards Barack Obama.
Jesse is having the hardest time grasping the fact that his days of pimping Black issues for personal gain are over. The man is drunk from the Haterade he’s been downing and has officially lost his mind. Careful Jesse, your jealousy and stupidity are showing.
9. People who were surprised that the perennially self-hating Whoopi Goldberg would defend Jackson’s usage of the N word.
This is the same slave who is so brain damaged that she defended Ted Danson’s wearing of Blackface and usage of off color racist jokes.
Why wouldn’t Elisbeth Hasselbach act confused, when white folks watch stupid self-deprecating Negro clowns defecate on their race’s image on a regular basis? Even if folks want to say that she was disingenuous, the fact remains that she made Whoopi look like the ignorant House Nigga she has always been.
Finally, why do some dead brained Negroes think they are being witty or progressive by defending public usage of the N-word? It’s one of the main items showing how backwards we are as a people, because we are the only group on the planet who think that using the most derogatory term for ourselves is a “revolution” that will somehow desensitize the word.
I’m still waiting for the outrage over Robert Downey Jr.’s blackface act in his new movie…
10. People having a moment of shock over John McCain telling off color jokes about rape and apes.
This is a man who called his wife a filthy name in public. Why would he have any decorum otherwise?
Many Americans have no idea how things work, yet work their mouths all day long about issues they feel emotionally attached to.
Don’t be the one who brings a divergent viewpoint to stupid people, or you’ll be torn to shreds with personal attacks and emotional waste, as opposed to well thought out viewpoints based on anything real.
That’s how stupid people operate.
Darryl James is an award-winning author of the forthcoming powerful anthology “Notes From The Edge.” Discounted Autographed and Numbered Pre-Release copies can be ordered at www.darryljames.com. He released his first mini-movie, “Crack,” and this year, will release his first full-length documentary. View previous installments of this column at www.bridgecolumn.proboards36.com. Reach James at djames@theblackgendergap.com.
BETWEEN THE LINES: Political Satire As Reflections of Popular Culture
One Edged Sword Cuts Deeper For Blacks In America
Anthony Asadullah Samad
*It’s interesting that, for sometime, there was this expectation that “something” would come out that would cause a major controversy and cause Americans (particularly white Americans) to re-think their support (or justify their lack of support) for Barack Obama. Well, the first “something” dropped from the most likely of sources last week. One of America’s “high society” magazines, The New Yorker, known for its front cover caricatures of American society — but not necessarily known for its satire, ran what many think was the most vicious cover in its history. The cover, a caricature of Barack and Michelle Obama as radical, flag-burning, Bin Laden following, Muslim terrorists, took the on-going whisper campaign against Obama and mainstreamed it. Claiming it as satire for the purpose of trying to “out” the silly rumors about Obama, the New Yorker instead sought to affirm the rumors as legitimate concerns that the Obamas are somehow militant subversives very close to overthrowing the country. In the most extreme demonstration of xenophobia meets Negro-phobia, every anti-white, anti-patriotic and anti-Christian cue that could be used, was used. The message, the Obamas could be America’s worse nightmare, black radical, unpatriotic Muslims, living in the White House. The cover reminded us that America will do anything to black people, and will do anything to retain political power. Tell me the last time you witnessed political satire of this kind?
In a free speech/press society, there are extreme forms of expression that clearly allow us to think beyond societal norms and thought boundaries. But forms of expression that could bring harm to the Obamas, or the nation, are not permitted. It’s called the “Bad Tendacy Rule” which restricts expression if it will bring harm to someone. It used to be called the “Assassination Rule.” If you look at the New Yorker cover, don’t look at the obvious—Obama in Muslim garb — a jab at the public sentiment regarding the perception that Barack has Muslim ties, or the burning flag in the fireplace — a jab at both Barack and Michelle’s perceived lack of patriotism. Those are legitimate issues for which satiristic claims can be made. Look at the sublime symbols; included in the it is a reflection of everything America purportedly hates, starting with Public Enemy #1, Osama Bin Laden. What’s Barack’s tie to him, other than a one letter change in their last name. Barack Obama has not said anything that anti-American nor given the impression that he has Muslim ties, much less radical Muslim terrorist ties. Yet the inference is that he (and his wife) are part of some terrorist cell. What we put over our fireplaces in our homes are the things we revere. So you understand the connection white folk would make, don’t you? Then there is the radicalization of Michelle Obama, as somehow being the radical alter-ego of Barack — the one prepared to go to war, strapped with an assault weapon, in army fatigues and with a menacing stare. Now understand, Michelle Obama is a serious sister. Very no-nonsense and not one to hold her tongue — but she does stay on message. Much like Nancy Reagan or Laura Bush, and she’s not as pushy as Hillary was when her husband was running. But what makes the media cast her as angry or hostile to America? You’ve never seen Michelle in a “natural,” but we know that was the most radical form of counter-cultural expression in the 1960s and 1970s, from which white people are still in backlash mode.
So with Barack’s “global awareness” of other faiths and other cultures, and Michelle’s perceived antithetical views around pride of country — ready to stomp a mudhole (don’t forget the symbolism of combat boots) in the rear of any attacks on her husband and family, whites call that “motherly instincts,” but the New Yorker successfully painted it the antithesis of what the American “first-family” is supposed to reflect. And some people think that was humorous. Post analysis commentary even suggested that “Barack can’t take a joke,” or “Barack, should lighten up.” I don’t know many people that would laugh at having themselves portrayed as the things the nation hates the most, in a time of war, where fear of being attacked is the highest. But then, this is a country that used to laugh at lynching too — and still try to tell lynching jokes from time to time. Then there’s still that, Ni**er discussion that Jesse Jackson revived last week. Some whites are still trying to rationalize its use, if we call ourselves that. The real point that many whites never stopped calling black people the N-word. Most of them just stopped saying it publicly — and most still laugh at us when we call ourselves such a degrading word because they know what it means — and somehow always seem to find the “satire” in its use when it resurfaces in the public debate. Black people have always been the butt of white humor when they were struggling from basic freedoms that were satirized in major newspapers during the Civil War, Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Era. While black (and white) people were losing their lives, “popular culture” found change funny. Well, not this time. They say humor is a two-edged sword and that it cuts both ways.
With black people, humor is a one edged sword that cuts only one way, and it cuts deep to the root of America’s problem: racial indifference on something that should offend but doesn’t. Political satire is a reflection of popular culture. The New Yorker is right about that. That doesn’t make it funny or something to be satirized. To acknowledge America’s closet racial fears about the Obamas, more imagined than real, just shows how deep America is prepared to cut to keep what’s possible in the next election from happening. We knew it was coming…just not from high society.
Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D., is a national columnist, managing director of the Urban Issues Forum (www.urbanissuesforum.com) and author of the new book, Saving The Race: Empowerment Through Wisdom. He can be reached at www.AnthonySamad.com
THE JOURNAL OF STEFFANIE RIVERS: The FDA is DOA Part 1 of 2 parts
*The Food and Drug Administration is supposed to do just what the name indicates, which is regulate the quality of the food and drug supply in the United States. But the recent salmonella outbreak, which has left at least four people dead and 1,200 others suffering from its effects, is the latest challenge for an agency that has more on its plate than it can handle.
Since early June the FDA has blamed the poisonous outbreak on raw tomato consumption and that has cost more than $100 million in losses to the tomato industry. Now, the FDA is apologizing to tomato growers for prematurely placing the blame at their feet. Now the agency has added a laundry list of peppers to the do-not-eat list as it tries to pinpoint the culinary culprit.
This is not the first time the FDA has found itself in the midst of chaos. In the past sixty days the FDA has recalled more than twenty-five products from garlic bread and seafood to mouthwash and bottled water. Its radius of responsibility is so wide it makes it hard for FDA investigators to cross every “t” and dot every “i” before attaching their stamp of approval. Consequently, the quality of products has slipped forcing the FDA to perform more recalls than would have been necessary had problems been detected on the front end.
When it comes to pharmaceutical products, some people have accused FDA officials of being too lax, protecting the interest of business owners at the expense of the health of the American public.
With its credibility on the line, FDA officials are admitting to what some health care officials have known all along – the FDA is falling short of its mission.
The FDA grade “A” stamp of approval doesn’t hold the clout that it used to. Next week I’ll tell you what you need to do to protect your health.
Steffanie Rivers is a free-lance journalist living in the Dallas, TX metroplex. Send your questions and comments to her at teamtcbadvertising@hotmail.com.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. -Alex Noble
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
July 22: Singer George Clinton is 67. Actor Danny Glover is 61. Singer Keith Sweat is 47.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Independent author Jenna Marie Christian's wants you to know her mission is to Inform, Entertain, and Uplift her community. You can support her at: www.missjenaamarie.com.
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
July 22, 1967: More than one thousand persons attended the first Black Power Conference in Newark, New Jersey. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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