TODAY IS...

PLEASE PASS THIS ON! (EACH ONE TEACH ONE OR TWO!) THIS IS PHASE ONE ON HOW WE CAN HELP TO STRENGTHEN & EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY:The 2008 not guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case evoked outrage, emotion, and debate. It is not an anomaly that the police officers involved in the Sean Bell slaying were acquitted of all charges on all counts in State Supreme Court. I could run out of ink printing the names of people who have been victimized by the inaptly named justice system.

The American justice system has been especially terroristic towards the African American community. Many community members can cite historic and personal accounts to prove this. Therefore, it would be foolhardy (at the least) to turn to a system that has methodically oppressed us, and request that they free us. We can only free ourselves through extreme discipline and intelligent planning.

As a community we have been too compliant with leaders who organize ineffective, delayed reactions. The only strategy that can save us in this last hour is one that calls for a collective code of conduct that will be conducive to improving the conditions of our community, and shifting the paradigm of how we are treated by outside entities. The first step of this code of conduct should be based on economics.

The old adage of “money talks,” still reigns true in the new millennium. Any political scientist worth his or her library card will tell you that: “Economic powerlessness equals political powerlessness,” and conversely “economic power equals political power.” This means that if we continue to allow our wealth to be extracted from our community, we will remain impotent.

The power of the collective “Black Dollar” is often discussed. However, that power has been left unchanneled. Today is the day to change that. A one-time boycott is not going to bring long-term change and respect to our community. Our community has launched boycotts before. Our success and ascension will be based on what we consistently do. For this reason, we should initiate “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS.”

BUY BLACK FRIDAYS is a small step towards our community acquiring power via controlling our economics. Every Friday, people who acknowledge the injustice and oppression that the African American community has been consistently subjected to should do one of the following:

Option #1: Spend $0 on Friday
Option #2: Spend no more than $10 on Friday
Option #3: Only Shop at Black Businesses on Friday
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE OPTIONS CAN & SHOULD BE EXERCISED ON A DAILY BASIS. However, we can all at the very least focus on Fridays. This way we can take a collective stand and build our collective discipline. Please remember that this is only Phase 1!].

To the people who are tempted to label “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS” as racist, I say this: In the big scheme of things, this is about right & wrong, justice & injustice. The African American community is a strong, proud community that has endured the brunt of America’s iron fist. We must stop the pounding. I feel that any fair-minded individual will concur, and join in.

ANY business that is privileged to enjoy the support of the African American community MUST return that support.

I thank you in advance for your effort and dedication.

-Elsie Law AKA Starface

Quote Of The Day

"There is no better time than now. The time to live is now. The time to dream is now. The time to imagine and forget the past is now. The time to shine is now. The time to bleed, sweat, and determine yourself for the things you want most is now." -Anonymous

How Did Your Favorite Presidential Candidate & State Senator Vote On The Passage Of H.R. 6304: FISA Amendments Act of 2008...

The H.R. 6304: FISA Amendments Act of 2008 was passed with a vote of 69 to 28. The above map shows the geographic voting breakdown. The horizontal bars indicate that two senators from the same state voted differently.

Arizona Senator and Republican Presidential candidate, John McCain, failed to vote at all. He was one out of a party of three senators who's votes were absent. Illinois Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate, Barack Obama, disappointingly voted in favor of the passage of the bill. The other Senator from Illinois voted to reject the Bill. Senator Obama cast an approving vote despite previously voicing his disapproval of the bill, and vowing to fight against any legislation that granted immunity to telecommunication companies.

CLICK HERE to view the roll call of the votes, and a detailed breakdown by state and political party.

A Moment Of Silence For The 4th Amendment Of The U.S. Constitution

The FISA Amendments Act of 2008, blatantly disregards the rights protected by the Fourth Amendment.

The Fourth Amendment of The U.S. Constitution states: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

[SIDEBAR: Another one bites the dust. The Patriot Act also assaulted the IV Amendment, as well as Amendments I and VI...Here's to the, law without order years...SMH.]

Warrantless Wiretapping 2008

Yesterday the Senate voted to pass the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Amendments Act of 2008. Is this another step in George Bush's master plan to strip Americans of their civil liberties? Many balked at the Patriot Act, now the U.S. is cementing their expansion of warrantless wiretaps. This is being done despite a Federal Court Judge's ruling that: Bush's "legal justification for the surveillance has no legal merit."

Below I've provided some links concerning the FISA Amendments Act of 2008.

The first link is to an article that weighs in on how the courts have ruled on the newly enacted bill. The expanded warrantless wiretapping parameters are being implemented without the courts' blessing (so much for checks & balances). The other links are to articles provided by various news sources.

Let's see how some other news outlets are reporting on this issue:
CLICK HERE for an article that discusses the federal court's take on FISA 2008.
CLICK HERE for CNN's: "Senate Sends No-Warrant Wiretapping Bill to Bush"
CLICK HERE for the New York Times article: "Senate Approves Bill to Broaden Wiretap Powers"
CLICK HERE for BBC News': "US Senate Passes Surveillance"
CLICK HERE for Wired's: "Senate Approves Telecom Amnesty, Expands Domestic Spying"

Cops Gone Wild Part 2: The Warrantless Wiretapping Throwback Edition

"Almost all witnesses who testified were members of the police force and had been involved in the wiretap operation. Corroborative testimony was presented that Stephen Ahern [another police officer] fathered the New Haven wiretapping operation from his apartment, beginning in the late fifties, with a machine that he himself had purchased. At that time, this activity, initially directed at gamblers, went on to include prostitutes and drug dealers, and then, in the late sixties, political activists and an assortment of students, professionals, and intellectuals. From 1964 on, Ahern had succeeded in acquiring more equipment (apparently with public funds illegally used for this purpose) and institutionalizing the tapping operation over the years by installing recorders in various locations at police headquarters.

The wiretap operation at police headquarters was at first conducted in a sergeant's closet, but was ultimately moved to a room specifically prepared with acoustical tile and closed to members of the force who were not privy to its operation. Loge were kept of phone calls tapped, detailing information considered essential for intelligence purposes. Inspector Nicholas Pastore testified that at the time in the late 1960s when Chief James Ahern [Stephen Ahern's brother] won national acclaim as a 'new breed' of liberal cop, he had, on more than one occasion, ordered the bugging of meetings of the police board through a wireless transmitter placed under the table in the police commissioners' conference room. Moreover, testimony revealed that the cell block phone in the police department used by individuals incarcerated there to contact their lawyers or arrange for bail was tapped.

Sergeant Walter P. Connor, assigned to monitoring the wiretapping equipment from April 1968 to the summer of 1969, testified that Chief James Ahern, who had visited the wiretap room after its removal from police headquarters, to the fourth floor of an office building in downtown New Haven in 1969, told him that if a stranger came to the door, 'throw the [expletive] machines out the window.'

Although the criminal and civil sanctions of the Omnibus Crime Control Act of 1968 put teeth into its strictures against wiretapping, the New Haven police wiretappers were obviously not deterred.

Warrantless Wiretapping Laws: The Throwback Edition

"Actually, warrantless wiretapping had been illegal both on federal and state levels for decades. But in 1968, climaxing a series of Supreme Court decisions striking down warrantless wiretapping and other forms of electronic eavesdropping as violative of the Fourth Amendment's ban on unreasonable searches and seizures, Congress enacted Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act banning wiretapping and bugging by federal authorities except in certain carefully circumscribed areas. Moreover, permissible activity could not be undertaken without the explicit authority of a federal court, unless it involved a foreign security matter. This interdiction applied to state and local officers as well.

Title III stated specifically that any state activity in this area would be permissible only if preceded by a state legislative grant of such authority. However, this authority could not be less restrictive than the standards established by the federal government. The Congress, in adopting this legislation, was determined not only to punish unjustifiable interception, disclosure, or use of wire communications; it sought to ban the manufacture, distribution, possession, or advertising of intercepting equipment. Thus the act provided criminal sanctions for possession or use of the machines: 5 years in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. In addition, civil suits were authorized: if an individual proved his phone was tapped, he could collect $100 for each day tapped, or $1,000, whichever was greater, plus punitive damages and legal fees from the tap operator." -From, "Protectors Of Privilege" By: Frank Donner

Warrantless Wiretapping Day...

In light of the Congressional decision to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, in order to greatly expand the U.S. government's surveillance parameters at home and abroad, I will dedicate all of today's blog entries to this very controversial topic.

In an effort to make heads-and-tails of the warrantless wiretapping laws, I will explore this topic from various angles.

Quote Of The Day

"The citizen can bring our political and governmental institutions back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can." - John Gardner

Designer Knockoffs: The Ancient Artifacts Edition

The Brooklyn Museum of Art, which is said to be the home of the second largest collection of Coptic art in North America, is questioning the authenticity of some of their pieces. According to The Independent, one of the museum's curators, Dr Edna Russmann, began having doubts about the collection 4 years ago. (It should also be noted that another specialist voiced his concerns about the collection in the 70s).

An investigation of the pieces are still underway. However, some conclusions have been formulated. The Independent states: "Although some chemical testing on the works has yet to be completed, Dr. Russmann considers that 10 of the 30 examples of Coptic art held by the museum are phoney. Moreover, about half the other pieces have probably been extensively recarved and retouched."

Instead of trying to camouflage their findings, the museum will display the inauthentic pieces in an exhibit in February.

The museum's findings show that we can never be 100% sure about history; we can only give our best investigative efforts. For one thing, our efforts will reward us with entertaining stories and mysteries, at the very least. There's never a dull moment with all of the historical plots and counter-plots.

[SIDEBAR: I wonder what's the story behind how the museum acquired the fugazy pieces. This is like The DaVinci Code: Reloaded.]

Quote Of The Day

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." -Walt Emerson

Definitions Better Than Webster's: Part 4

DESIRE:
"Desire is a manifestation of power. The desire to play music is the power which can play music seeking expression and development; the desire to invent mechanical devices is the mechanical talent seeking expression and development.

Where there is no power, either developed or undeveloped, to do a thing, there is never any desire to do that thing; and where there is strong desire to do a thing, it is certain proof that the power to do it is strong, and only requires to be developed and applied in the Right Way." -From, "The Science of Getting Rich" By: Wallace D. Wattles

[SIDEBAR: Follow your heart and utilize all of your gifts.]

Video Of The Week

The joy to many that is You Tube is on the litigation ropes, and their users are getting caught in the crossfire. Here's one user's poignant take on the situation...

[SIDEBAR: SEE 2 entries below for the You Tube vs. Viacom story.]

Quote Of The Day

"We must use time wisely, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." - Nelson Mandela

Who's Watching You, While You're Watching You Tube?

You Tube's owner, Google, and Viacom are in the midst of a hot-and-heavy legal battle. Viacom is suing Google for giving internet surfers the opportunity to view Viacom's copyrighted material free of charge without their permission. In an effort to prove their case, Viacom requested and was granted, a peek into You Tube's visitor files.

According to Wired, a judge ruled that "Google will have to turn over to Viacom every record of every video watched by You Tube users, including users' names and IP addresses." Google argued that turning over this data would be a gross violation of their site visitors' privacy. However, the presiding judge disagreed.

All I have to say to You Tube users is: "Enjoy it while it lasts." We'll all be telling our grandkids about the "good old early-You Tube days" someday.

[SIDEBAR: It seems like "Viacom" is becoming a dirty word- for more reasons than one].

It's So Hot, You Could Fry An Egg On The Sidewalk Grass...

The artificial grass that is blanketing about 100 NYC parks and playgrounds, and counting, is reportedly literally melting the soles off of sneakers. The New York Daily News did an investigation on the installed turf, and found that it was dangerously hot- even on mild days. The temperature of the turf, which is often twice as high as the temperatures reached on natural grass, is said to provoke heat-related illnesses. In addition to this, other dangerous health risks are also associated with the artificial turf.

According to the New York Daily News the synthetic material is composed of: "millions of tiny crumbs which contain heavy metals like lead and cadmium, as well as volatile organic compounds and other chemicals." These materials are highly likely to give off poisonous emissions when exposed to heat. The city needs to rectify this situation pronto, unless they are looking forward to several lawsuits based on the "dangers of the grass."

[SIDEBAR: Doesn't somebody get a nice fat paycheck to do due diligence on this type of thing before it is placed in public spaces. SMH. When will we learn that mother nature knows best.]

Quote Of The Day

"If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it." -From, "The College Blue Book" By: Anthony J. D'Angelo

Book Excerpt Of The Week, "Women In Prison" By: Kathryn Watterson

"Another area worthy of investigation is the big business of building prisons; who is getting the contracts to build these billion dollar facilities that cost millions to run? What political donations have led to the sites chosen for new prisons, and to the many contracts made as part of the building process? Taxpayers should demand to know these facts, since public funds are being poured into prisons in such huge quantities for such unproductive results...Greater profits also can be made by spending as little as possible on the prisoners- just enough to keep order and promote the likelihood of return. The profit makers can insure the security of their investments by keeping the public in a state of fear from 'the criminal element.' As we've seen from the recent growth of the prison industrial complex- like the growth of the military industrial complex before it- when the public is living in fear, it doesn't complain about the price tag, no matter how outrageous. It is important to realize that the safety and well being of the community is at odds with the interest of the profit makers." -From, "Women In Prison" By: Kathryn Watterson

TODAY IS...

PLEASE PASS THIS ON! (EACH ONE TEACH ONE OR TWO!) THIS IS PHASE ONE ON HOW WE CAN HELP TO STRENGTHEN & EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY:The 2008 not guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case evoked outrage, emotion, and debate. It is not an anomaly that the police officers involved in the Sean Bell slaying were acquitted of all charges on all counts in State Supreme Court. I could run out of ink printing the names of people who have been victimized by the inaptly named justice system.

The American justice system has been especially terroristic towards the African American community. Many community members can cite historic and personal accounts to prove this. Therefore, it would be foolhardy (at the least) to turn to a system that has methodically oppressed us, and request that they free us. We can only free ourselves through extreme discipline and intelligent planning.

As a community we have been too compliant with leaders who organize ineffective, delayed reactions. The only strategy that can save us in this last hour is one that calls for a collective code of conduct that will be conducive to improving the conditions of our community, and shifting the paradigm of how we are treated by outside entities. The first step of this code of conduct should be based on economics.

The old adage of “money talks,” still reigns true in the new millennium. Any political scientist worth his or her library card will tell you that: “Economic powerlessness equals political powerlessness,” and conversely “economic power equals political power.” This means that if we continue to allow our wealth to be extracted from our community, we will remain impotent.

The power of the collective “Black Dollar” is often discussed. However, that power has been left unchanneled. Today is the day to change that. A one-time boycott is not going to bring long-term change and respect to our community. Our community has launched boycotts before. Our success and ascension will be based on what we consistently do. For this reason, we should initiate “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS.”

BUY BLACK FRIDAYS is a small step towards our community acquiring power via controlling our economics. Every Friday, people who acknowledge the injustice and oppression that the African American community has been consistently subjected to should do one of the following:

Option #1: Spend $0 on Friday
Option #2: Spend no more than $10 on Friday
Option #3: Only Shop at Black Businesses on Friday
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE OPTIONS CAN & SHOULD BE EXERCISED ON A DAILY BASIS. However, we can all at the very least focus on Fridays. This way we can take a collective stand and build our collective discipline. Please remember that this is only Phase 1!].

To the people who are tempted to label “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS” as racist, I say this: In the big scheme of things, this is about right & wrong, justice & injustice. The African American community is a strong, proud community that has endured the brunt of America’s iron fist. We must stop the pounding. I feel that any fair-minded individual will concur, and join in.

ANY business that is privileged to enjoy the support of the African American community MUST return that support.

I thank you in advance for your effort and dedication.

-Elsie Law AKA Starface

Quote Of The Day

"Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends." ~Shirley Maclaine

Quote Of The Day

"Your time is now...New goals and new priorities, not only for this country, but for all of mankind must be set. Formal education will not help us do that. We must therefore depend upon informal learning. We can do that by confronting people with their humanity and their own inhumanity- confronting them whenever we meet them: in the church, the classroom, on the floor of the congress and the state legislators, in the bars, and on the streets. We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves." -Shirley Chisholm

Is This The U.S.' Idea Of An Early Birthday Gift?

Yesterday, President George Bush signed a bill that will enable the U.S. government to remove Nelson Mandela, and other ANC apartheid protesters, from the U.S. terrorism watch list. Specifically quoted from www.cnn.com: "The bill is H.R. 5690, which 'authorizes the Departments of State and Homeland Security to determine that provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act that render aliens inadmissible due to terrorist or criminal activities would not apply with respect to activities undertaken in association with the African National Congress in opposition to apartheid rule in South Africa.'

The bill's signing timing fails approximately three weeks before the freedom fighter's 90th birthday. Prior to the passage of the bill, Nelson Mandela and his ANC associates were deemed terrorists and banned from possessing U.S. visas unless they received special permission. H.R. 5690 will remedy this.

Earlier in the year, The U.S. was embarrassed when International news sources broke the story that Nobel Peace Prize Winner Nelson Mandela was officially deemed a terrorist by the American government. Condoleezza Rice and other government officials expressed their deep embarrassment when this faux pas was uncovered and brought to light.

Nelson Mandela should be treated with nothing but honor. His personal sacrifices in the name of freedom have been unparalleled. During his struggle, he stood his ground despite several nations making vicious attempts to break his spirit and sully his name. Nelson Mandela's life story shows the irony that can belie public & governmental opinion. Just like Muhammad Ali, Mandela is a man who was once reviled and hunted for his unwavering character. With the passage of time he stoically held his ground; it was the world that changed and came to him.

Quote Of The Day

"He who doesn't know is an ignoramus. He who knows and keeps quiet is a scoundrel." -From, "Galileo" By: Bertolt Brecht

These Are The Drug Dealers Who Should Be POWs In The "War On Drugs"...

A few "distinguished" Harvard professors have been reportedly receiving money from pharmaceutical companies in transactions that violate federal and academic rules. According to "The Independent," The Harvard psychiatry department professors broke "conflict-of-interest rules by failing to declare millions of dollars in consulting fees from drug manufacturers."

The most egregious part of this scandal is that one of the doctors involved is "world-renowned child psychiatrist" Dr. Joseph Biederman (pictured above).

Dr. Biederman and his colleagues have been the main advocates of approving "the use of previously unapproved psychiatric medicines in children." His work is also "held responsible for a 40-fold increase in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder." (Source)

An investigation by Senator Charles E. Grassley suggests that the world-renowned child psychiatrist's palms may have been greased to: (1) Expand the diagnosis guidelines of bipolar disorder, and to (2) Push psychiatric drugs on the diagnosed patient to "cure" the disorder. The implications of such an unethical payoff will have a perverse ripple effect on our society for generations to come.

[SIDEBAR: I will be following up on this story. For now, I suggest that people contact the office of the Senator involved in this investigation. Voice your concerns, and your interest in the outcome of this pertinent investigation to him].

Video Of The Week

A multi-faceted man, with a wealth of talents. He is a prime example of someone who used all of his gifts to the fullest...

Quote Of The Day

"Your dreams deserve a try...the sky’s the limit!" -Florence Griffith Joyner

2008: The Year That Charleston, Mississippi Has Its First Integrated Prom

June is an exciting time for the school-age population. It marks the ending of the school year, and the beginning of summer. It is also a time of transitions of various proportions. For high-school seniors, June is usually a transition of epic proportions. For those reaching the milestone of receiving a high school diploma, the time on the calendar that marks graduation, prom, and all of the accompanying festivities- is a period of time that marks the dawning of adulthood. It is like one's own historic moment in the timeline of their life. However, for a group of high-school seniors hailing from Charleston, Mississippi, their prom was not only important to their personal histories, it was also a historic moment for their town and their country alike.

Charleston High's class of 2008, was the first class in the history of the school to have a racially integrated prom. Since the school's inception, way back when, all of their proms have been segregated. The Black and White students never celebrated their prom collectively. The town's notorious racist social views were the cause of this. However, this year, the celebrating seniors of Charleston High were permitted to celebrate together irregardless of their race.

While some see the prom as a step in the right direction, others note that attitudes have still not changed. In conjunction with the integrated prom, Charleston High still held an "all-White prom." Many of the white students and their parents were insistent on this.

The whole integrated prom vs. segregated prom in America 2008 saga, was captured on film for a documentary. The film director hopes to debut this film at the next Sundance Festival.

[Source]

Quote Of The Day

"I asked a man in prison once how he happened to be there, and he said he had stolen a pair of shoes. I told him if he had stolen a railroad, he would be a United States senator." -Mother Jones; Labor Organizer

Quote Of The Day

"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion." -Author Unknown

How Plausible Is This?!: Stuart Little Broke The Levee

This morning, more levees along the Mississippi River let loose. Tragically, floodwaters have rendered Lincoln County, Missouri an underwater sea-town.

In the wake of other levees along the Mississippi River breaking, the levees that broke a few hours ago were supposed to be fortified and monitored. According to a public information officer for Lincoln County, the county thought that the fortifications were strong enough to hold the water back. However, this has obviously been proven as a gross error in judgment.

According to officials, the cause of today's levee breakage was muskrats' digging. CNN.com states: "Though overnight rains were reported in the area, officials speaking at a Friday morning press conference said muskrats looking for food or making dens had dug into the earthen levee, weakening it enough that nature took care of the rest." The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reportedly co-signs this theory.

My only question is: Were the levees mortared with spit and bubble gum?
What exactly is going here?

My prayers go out to the families and communities affected by all of the recent floodings.

Book Excerpt Of The Week, "Muhammad Ali: Through The Eyes Of The World" By: Various Contributors

"During the Cold War, the U.S. establishment very much wanted to project itself as a liberal and tolerant, and multi-racial society because they were in a competition with the Soviet Union for influence over the emergent nations in Africa and Asia. The problem was that the U.S. wasn't actually like that. The world that emerged after World War II was polarized into the two great power blocs, both dominated by White people. The advent of the American civil rights movement, and more broadly, the African-American freedom struggle was the key moment at which the whole thing exploded, because it proved the lies and hypocrisy on both sides of the power game and it exploded certainly Cold War America's self-image and the image it wanted to project to the world.

So the Black liberation struggle in America was one of the starting engines for all of those struggles that we call 'the struggles of the 60s.' The other principal ones were the struggles of Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa." - From, "Muhammad Ali: Through The Eyes Of The World" By: Various Contributors

[SIDEBAR: The included punctuations and sentence structures are as printed in the book.]

TODAY IS...

PLEASE PASS THIS ON! (EACH ONE TEACH ONE OR TWO!) THIS IS PHASE ONE ON HOW WE CAN HELP TO STRENGTHEN & EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY:The 2008 not guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case evoked outrage, emotion, and debate. It is not an anomaly that the police officers involved in the Sean Bell slaying were acquitted of all charges on all counts in State Supreme Court. I could run out of ink printing the names of people who have been victimized by the inaptly named justice system.

The American justice system has been especially terroristic towards the African American community. Many community members can cite historic and personal accounts to prove this. Therefore, it would be foolhardy (at the least) to turn to a system that has methodically oppressed us, and request that they free us. We can only free ourselves through extreme discipline and intelligent planning.

As a community we have been too compliant with leaders who organize ineffective, delayed reactions. The only strategy that can save us in this last hour is one that calls for a collective code of conduct that will be conducive to improving the conditions of our community, and shifting the paradigm of how we are treated by outside entities. The first step of this code of conduct should be based on economics.

The old adage of “money talks,” still reigns true in the new millennium. Any political scientist worth his or her library card will tell you that: “Economic powerlessness equals political powerlessness,” and conversely “economic power equals political power.” This means that if we continue to allow our wealth to be extracted from our community, we will remain impotent.

The power of the collective “Black Dollar” is often discussed. However, that power has been left unchanneled. Today is the day to change that. A one-time boycott is not going to bring long-term change and respect to our community. Our community has launched boycotts before. Our success and ascension will be based on what we consistently do. For this reason, we should initiate “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS.”

BUY BLACK FRIDAYS is a small step towards our community acquiring power via controlling our economics. Every Friday, people who acknowledge the injustice and oppression that the African American community has been consistently subjected to should do one of the following:

Option #1: Spend $0 on Friday
Option #2: Spend no more than $10 on Friday
Option #3: Only Shop at Black Businesses on Friday
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE OPTIONS CAN & SHOULD BE EXERCISED ON A DAILY BASIS. However, we can all at the very least focus on Fridays. This way we can take a collective stand and build our collective discipline. Please remember that this is only Phase 1!].

To the people who are tempted to label “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS” as racist, I say this: In the big scheme of things, this is about right & wrong, justice & injustice. The African American community is a strong, proud community that has endured the brunt of America’s iron fist. We must stop the pounding. I feel that any fair-minded individual will concur, and join in.

ANY business that is privileged to enjoy the support of the African American community MUST return that support.

I thank you in advance for your effort and dedication.

-Elsie Law AKA Starface

Quote Of The Day

"I have memories - but only a fool stores his past in the future." -David Gerrold

Quote Of The Day

"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action." -Frank Tibolt

BE SAFE!...A LITTLE DISCERNMENT WOULDN'T HURT EITHER

Reportedly, the number of people contracting STDs is becoming staggering. According to the NY Daily News, 60,000 people- in New York alone- were diagnosed with STDs in 2006. Of these 60,000 STD-infected people, 3,745 were HIV cases. (Please note that these figures are only inclusive of people who have been diagnosed by a health care professional, and does not factor in the untold number of people who have yet to be diagnosed).

With the rising evidence of so many people engaging in risky sexual behavior, there has yet to emerge a powerful educational campaign for STD prevention. There also seems to be a dangerous imbalance between the proliferation of have sex messages, have safe sex messages, and abstinence messages in the media. With that being said, it is important to remember what is at stake when engaging in certain acts. The risks aren't always as apparent as they should be. You must think for yourself, and you must protect yourself.

[SIDEBAR: With any decision that you make: Consider your personal rules and guidelines- and stick to them, consider your priorities, and weigh the repercussions].

Quote Of The Day

"Hatred ever kills, love never dies. Such is the vast difference between the two. What is obtained by love is retained for all time. What is obtained by hatred proves a burden in reality for it increases hatred." -Mohandas Gandhi

Video Of The Week

IF MORE PEOPLE WERE "UNBOUGHT & UNBOSSED" HOW MUCH BETTER OFF WOULD WE BE?...

Quote Of The Day

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." -George Orwell

Cops Gone Wild Part 1: The Brothel Brothers/The Cops Who Plant The 'Caine & Put You In Chains Edition

The sentencing of two criminal cops in Brooklyn Federal Court was delayed on Friday. The delay was due to new information emerging that could increase the time that the officers are likely to receive.

The officers were facing the judge to receive their punishment for admittedly, "accepting cash and sexual favors from a pimp in return for protecting his brothel." The officers in question also admitted to taking "payoffs from the pimp to help him shut down competing brothels."

As if committing the above mentioned abuses of power and federal crimes were not enough, a cooperating witness says that the Queens, NY unit to which the guilty officers belonged to were "engaged in a practice known as 'flaking,' in which cops planted marijuana, cocaine or Ecstasy on suspects."

After hearing this new information the federal judge assigned to the case stated: "This conduct, if true, is outrageous." She then delayed the sentencing to take this new information into consideration.

I wonder how much time these officers will get for their heinous crimes. I personally suggest that they should serve 20 years plus all of the combined years that the innocent people they placed in jail were sentenced to. I also wonder how deep the investigation will go, not only to weed out the other crooked cops in the unit, but also to free all the people who were unjustly incarcerated in this quagmire.

[Click Here For The Source]

[SIDEBAR: The antics of the PDs across the country is so out of control, I had to gives these stories their own headline and number them in parts. I'm taking all plain bets as to how long it will take for these parts to reach into four figure digits. SMH.]

What Did Flipper Ever Do To Anybody?...

Recently, an unusual and unprecedented beaching of dolphins occurred in the UK. News sources are stating that it was Britain's largest beaching in 25 years. A possible and allegedly likely cause for the stranding of dozens of dolphins at the Cornish Creek, are sonar exercises conducted by the Royal Navy. It is highly possible that the dolphins became disoriented by the sonar sounds, and took to the shores.

Although the Ministry of Defence cops to performing the sea life-hazardous exercises at the time of the beaching, they are denying that the dolphins were affected by their activities. This denial comes amidst the fact that scientists and environmentalists have been expounding on the adverse effects such military exercises have on sea life.



The above video, is proof that the military of certain countries have been aware that their sonar activities can be deadly to dolphins and whales. It is reasonably suggested that the military conduct their exercises in an environment that would cause less destruction to innocent animals.

[SIDEBAR: If we don't stop taking the environment and other forms of life for granted, the repercussions will not be slight.]

Quote Of The Day

"Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander." -Holocaust Museum

Book Excerpt Of The Week, "The Rose That Grew From Concrete" By: Tupac Shakur

"Government Assistance Or My Soul

It would be like a panther
asking a panther hunter
4 some meat, all
High school dropout R not DUMB
All unemployed aren't lazy
and there R many days I hunger
But I would go hungry and homeless
Before the American Government gets my soul"

- From, The Rose That Grew From Concrete" By: Tupac Shakur

Today Is...

PLEASE PASS THIS ON! (EACH ONE TEACH ONE OR TWO!) THIS IS PHASE ONE ON HOW WE CAN HELP TO STRENGTHEN & EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY:The 2008 not guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case evoked outrage, emotion, and debate. It is not an anomaly that the police officers involved in the Sean Bell slaying were acquitted of all charges on all counts in State Supreme Court. I could run out of ink printing the names of people who have been victimized by the inaptly named justice system.

The American justice system has been especially terroristic towards the African American community. Many community members can cite historic and personal accounts to prove this. Therefore, it would be foolhardy (at the least) to turn to a system that has methodically oppressed us, and request that they free us. We can only free ourselves through extreme discipline and intelligent planning.

As a community we have been too compliant with leaders who organize ineffective, delayed reactions. The only strategy that can save us in this last hour is one that calls for a collective code of conduct that will be conducive to improving the conditions of our community, and shifting the paradigm of how we are treated by outside entities. The first step of this code of conduct should be based on economics.

The old adage of “money talks,” still reigns true in the new millennium. Any political scientist worth his or her library card will tell you that: “Economic powerlessness equals political powerlessness,” and conversely “economic power equals political power.” This means that if we continue to allow our wealth to be extracted from our community, we will remain impotent.

The power of the collective “Black Dollar” is often discussed. However, that power has been left unchanneled. Today is the day to change that. A one-time boycott is not going to bring long-term change and respect to our community. Our community has launched boycotts before. Our success and ascension will be based on what we consistently do. For this reason, we should initiate “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS.”

BUY BLACK FRIDAYS is a small step towards our community acquiring power via controlling our economics. Every Friday, people who acknowledge the injustice and oppression that the African American community has been consistently subjected to should do one of the following:

Option #1: Spend $0 on Friday
Option #2: Spend no more than $10 on Friday
Option #3: Only Shop at Black Businesses on Friday
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE OPTIONS CAN & SHOULD BE EXERCISED ON A DAILY BASIS. However, we can all at the very least focus on Fridays. This way we can take a collective stand and build our collective discipline. Please remember that this is only Phase 1!].

To the people who are tempted to label “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS” as racist, I say this: In the big scheme of things, this is about right & wrong, justice & injustice. The African American community is a strong, proud community that has endured the brunt of America’s iron fist. We must stop the pounding. I feel that any fair-minded individual will concur, and join in.

ANY business that is privileged to enjoy the support of the African American community MUST return that support.

I thank you in advance for your effort and dedication.

-Elsie Law AKA Starface

Quote Of The Day

"The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same." -Carlos Castaneda

Reparations: The Way Too Little, Way Too Late Edition

After a decades long protest for the return of ownership of their native land, the Sioux Tribe of South Dakota is being thrown a kernel of a crumb.

Next year, Congress is expected to relinquish the southern part of Badlands National Park in South Dakota to the Sioux Tribe's Tribal Council. The area that is expected to be returned to the Sioux Tribe was a part of Wounded Knee. According to "The Independent," this particular parcel of land is in bad shape due to the abuse it has endured from its current owners. The U.S. military used the land for a firing range, and has left behind an untold number of unexploded shells. The future residents have also stated that, "Poachers have ravaged the stark landscape, with its spires of rock and tallgrass plains. Over the decades, they have illegally removed thousands of fossils from the poorly policed national park." However, the Sioux still look forward to gradually restoring ecological balance to the land.

Some Sioux residents are rightfully dissatisfied with the manner in which the land is being turned over. The dissenting voices logically state that, "the land should be returned to the original owners for private use rather than to the tribal council as a park."

Quote Of The Day

"A book lying idle on a shelf is wasted ammunition. Like money, books must be kept in constant circulation. Lend and borrow to the maximum- of both books and money! But especially books, for books represent infinitely more than money. A book is not only a friend, it makes friends for you. When you have possessed a book with mind and spirit, you are enriched. But when you pass it on you are enriched threefold." - Henry Miller

If You Are A NYC MTA Bus Rider, You Should Program These Numbers Into Your Cellphone...

Mass transit is supposed to be a convenient alternative to driving. Conditions in the city like: Lack of parking, an increase in gas prices, and an economic downturn has caused MTA ridership to peak at unprecedented levels. The MTA should be seeing a large increase in profits due to an influx of new riders, and constant fare hikes.

An increase in fare hikes should logically be accompanied by better service. After all, any consumer has the right to demand better service when they're relinquishing more money. However, a lot of riders have not been experiencing better service. In fact, may MTA patrons are complaining about a lack of adequate service.

Over the last few days, I myself, have personally experienced harrowing trips on NYC MTA buses. The wait time for the arrival of the buses was beyond unreasonable, and very disruptive to the productivity of my day. A round-trip that should have taken no more than 25 minutes turned into a 1 hour and 35 minute journey- due to buses that were grossly off schedule.

I called MTA hotlines to complain. One MTA phone line operator blatantly told me that my complaint didn't matter because I was only one person. Another MTA phone line operator reluctantly heard me out. However, a couple of other operators professionally took my call and registered my complaint.

If you are a NYC MTA bus rider you should have the following numbers programmed into your cellphone [SIDEBAR: If you aren't tapped into the cellphone matrix, please keep these numbers stored in a convenient location]:

(718) 927-7499 (The MTA Bus Investigation Line)
(718) 330-1234 (The MTA Directions Line. PLEASE NOTE: Although this number is for rendering directions, If you press "0" and wait to speak to a customer service operator, they have the responsibility to take your complaint and forward it to the proper supervisors).

Please call the aforementioned numbers if your bus is unreasonably off schedule. You don't have to give your personal information to the MTA operator if they request it. You can make an anonymous complaint.

Quote Of The Day

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." -Carl Jung

The Global Trend Of Natural Disasters Continues

Thousands of Iowa residents have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the unprecedented rising of the Mississippi River.

The record breaking flooding has also caused devastation to the Midwest's soybean and corn crops. According to "The Independent," the production of wheat, oats, and rice has also been adversely affected.

The National Guard has been responding to the crisis in Iowa in a much more efficient manner than they did with the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe. Troops are reportedly on site, reinforcing the levees along the Mississippi River.

The Fall Of The U.S. Dollar Provides Great Investment Opportunities For Real Estate Moguls Who Have Pockets Full Of Euros

The historic Flatiron building has a new majority owner- The Sorgente Group. The Sorgente Group is headed by Italian real estate mogul Valter Mainetti. Mainetti's purchase is proof that he has a keen eye for lucrative investment opportunities that are opening up in the U.S. due to the country's current economic downturn. According to the UK newspaper, "The Independent," Valter Mainetti said the following about his acquisition: "With the cheap dollar, it made sense. The stability of the New York real estate market is unique. This current crisis will pass, and the dollar will re-establish itself. We are confident."

Mainetti isn't the only foreign investor eying lucrative New York City landmarks. The Independent also reveals that investors form Abu Dhabi are chomping at the bit to acquire the Chrysler Building.

[SIDEBAR: Currently 1 Euro = 1.5401 U.S. Dollars]

Quote Of The Day

"Nobody's free, until everybody's free." -Fannie Lou Hamer

Video Of The Week

Happy Birthday!

Quote Of The Day

"That's why they're doing me like this. Because if they can stop me, they can stop thirty more rappers before they're even born. But there's something else I understand now: If we really are saying rap is an art form, then we got to be true to it and be more responsible for our lyrics. If you see everybody dying because of what you're saying, it doesn't matter that you didn't make them die, it just matters that you didn't save them." -Tupac Shakur

BOOK EXCERPT OF THE WEEK: From, "Acts Of Faith" By: Iyanla Vanzant

"If you are waiting for something to happen before you begin what you want to do, it will never happen. If you are waiting to get something before you do what you say you want to do, you'll never get started. If you are waiting for the right time, the right person, the right circumstances, you could be waiting forever. How about this, what can you do right now? Can you write a letter? Make a call? Finish a plan? Structure a goal? Can you pick a name? Paint a wall? Ask a question? Sweep a floor? Can you structure a schedule? Can you project a date? Can you fulfill a promise? Can you read a book? Can you stop doing all the things you do that keep you from doing the one thing you want to do? Can you pray? Can you sing? Can you dance where you are? Whatever you can do, you better do it now? Now is all you have to work with." From, "Acts Of Faith" By: Iyanla Vanzant

Today Is...

PLEASE PASS THIS ON! (EACH ONE TEACH ONE OR TWO!) THIS IS PHASE ONE ON HOW WE CAN HELP TO STRENGTHEN & EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY:The 2008 not guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case evoked outrage, emotion, and debate. It is not an anomaly that the police officers involved in the Sean Bell slaying were acquitted of all charges on all counts in State Supreme Court. I could run out of ink printing the names of people who have been victimized by the inaptly named justice system.

The American justice system has been especially terroristic towards the African American community. Many community members can cite historic and personal accounts to prove this. Therefore, it would be foolhardy (at the least) to turn to a system that has methodically oppressed us, and request that they free us. We can only free ourselves through extreme discipline and intelligent planning.

As a community we have been too compliant with leaders who organize ineffective, delayed reactions. The only strategy that can save us in this last hour is one that calls for a collective code of conduct that will be conducive to improving the conditions of our community, and shifting the paradigm of how we are treated by outside entities. The first step of this code of conduct should be based on economics.

The old adage of “money talks,” still reigns true in the new millennium. Any political scientist worth his or her library card will tell you that: “Economic powerlessness equals political powerlessness,” and conversely “economic power equals political power.” This means that if we continue to allow our wealth to be extracted from our community, we will remain impotent.

The power of the collective “Black Dollar” is often discussed. However, that power has been left unchanneled. Today is the day to change that. A one-time boycott is not going to bring long-term change and respect to our community. Our community has launched boycotts before. Our success and ascension will be based on what we consistently do. For this reason, we should initiate “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS.”

BUY BLACK FRIDAYS is a small step towards our community acquiring power via controlling our economics. Every Friday, people who acknowledge the injustice and oppression that the African American community has been consistently subjected to should do one of the following:

Option #1: Spend $0 on Friday
Option #2: Spend no more than $10 on Friday
Option #3: Only Shop at Black Businesses on Friday
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE OPTIONS CAN & SHOULD BE EXERCISED ON A DAILY BASIS. However, we can all at the very least focus on Fridays. This way we can take a collective stand and build our collective discipline. Please remember that this is only Phase 1!].

To the people who are tempted to label “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS” as racist, I say this: In the big scheme of things, this is about right & wrong, justice & injustice. The African American community is a strong, proud community that has endured the brunt of America’s iron fist. We must stop the pounding. I feel that any fair-minded individual will concur, and join in.

ANY business that is privileged to enjoy the support of the African American community MUST return that support.

I thank you in advance for your effort and dedication.

-Elsie Law AKA Starface

Quote Of The Day

"The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread." -Mother Teresa

It's A Recession, Yet This Is How New York's Officials Choose To Spend Taxpayers' Money...

The price tag on the new Yankee Stadium, slated to be opened in Spring 2009, is $1.3 Billion and rising. The stadium's construction budget has been significantly bolstered by public funds (AKA residents' hard earned money that they pay the city & state in taxes), and tax breaks (AKA this means an increase in taxes for the working class so the city can re-up to their greedy satisfaction, because after all somebody has to pay).

NY's financial assistance to the new stadium includes: A $70 million state subsidy for the stadium's parking facilities, $237 million in tax exemptions, and $260 million to replace public park space due to the fact that several acres of parks were relinquished for stadium grounds.

Today it is being reported that budget over-runs may lead the stadium's builders to seek more use of public funds. [SIDEBAR: That's a lot of nerve; especially during an economic downturn, and a spike in food prices that's leaving many taxpayers scrambling to put food on the table. Amidst these conditions, the fact that New York has dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to this project is ludicrous. A superfluous sports arena should not be a priority during such dire financial times].

Quote Of The Day

"Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines." -Leroy "Satchel" Paige

Candidiate McCain Knows The Power Of The Blog

It is the times in which we live that requires that the '08 Presidential Contest is not only waged in real time, but is also waged in the virtual reality that is the internet. Presidential candidate McCain has recognized this requirement, and has hatched a plan to leave his imprint all over the world wide web.

A page on John McCain's website implores his supporters to: "help spread the word about John McCain on news and blog sites." McCain's site even goes as far as to list the sites that his advocates should visit to "help get the message out about [his] policies and plan for the future." The listed sites run the gamut of political thought and are categorized as "liberal, conservative, moderate, and other." McCainees (<- yes, I just came up with that word), are rewarded for their actions by being "awarded points through the McCain Online Action Center" (<- whatever that means???).

[SIDEBAR: The desperate times=desperate measures theory seems to be in full effect here. On a brighter note for the McCain crew- infiltrating blogs is a LOT cheaper than buying tv time].

[Source: Wired Magazine]

Definitions Better Than Webster's: Part 3

THE DEFINITION OF "POLITICAL PRISONER":

Quote Of The Day

"He who will not reason is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool; and he who dares not is a slave." -William Drummond

Video Of The Week

With all the nonsense flooding the airwaves and the internet, some people don't seem to know what true heroes look like anymore. Take a gander, here's one up close and personal...CLICK HERE.

Definitions Better Than Webster's: Part 2

JUSTICE:
"Justice requires not only the ceasing and desisting of injustice but also requires either punishment or reparation for injuries and damages inflicted for prior wrongdoing. The essence of injustice is the redistribution of gains earned through the perpetration of injustice. If restitution is not made and reparations not instituted to compensate for prior injustices, those injustices are in effect rewarded. And the benefits such rewards conferred on the perpetrators of injustice will continue to 'draw interest,' to be reinvested, and to be passed on to their children, who will use their inherited advantages to continue to exploit the children of the victims of the injustices of their ancestors. Consequently, injustice and inequality will be maintained across the generations as will their deleterious social, economic and political outcomes." - From, "Blueprint For Black Power" By: Amos Wilson

Quote Of The Day

"The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never allow us to bring about genuine change." -Audre Lorde

Definitions Better Than Webster's: Part 1

DISCIPLINE:
"Discipline is having the courage to do what needs to be done before you are forced to do it." -From, "One Day My Soul Just Opened Up" By: Iyanla Vanzant

We Need One Of These In Every Neighborhood...

Last week in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, there was a groundbreaking for a cultural center that is slated to be completed by 2010. The cultural center will be home to a new learning facility, and a performance arts theater. The outdoor area of the center has already been unveiled. The open-air courtyard was designed by Brooklyn teens, and is designated for use by the community's senior citizens.

The location of the yet-unnamed cultural center is in a part of Bed-Stuy that is rich with history. This particular section of Bedford-Stuyvesant is called, "Weeksville." It derived its moniker from James Weeks. According to the Weeksville Society's website, James Weeks was an African American who purchased the land- which now bears his name- in 1838. He brought the land from Henry Thompson, who was also a "free African American."

Weeksville was the residence of many pioneering African Americans, including: the first Black female doctor in New York, and NYC's first Black police officer. Weeksville is also noted for being a prosperous, self-sustaining community. According to www.Weeksvillesociety.org, "Weeksville had its own schools and churches, an orphanage, an old age home, and one of the first African-American newspapers- the Freedman's Torchlight. During the violent draft riots of 1863, the community served as a refuge for hundreds of African-Americans who fled Manhattan."

Quote Of The Day

"Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Today Is...Buy Black Friday

PLEASE PASS THIS ON! (EACH ONE TEACH ONE OR TWO!) THIS IS PHASE ONE ON HOW WE CAN HELP TO STRENGTHEN & EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY:The 2008 not guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case evoked outrage, emotion, and debate. It is not an anomaly that the police officers involved in the Sean Bell slaying were acquitted of all charges on all counts in State Supreme Court. I could run out of ink printing the names of people who have been victimized by the inaptly named justice system.

The American justice system has been especially terroristic towards the African American community. Many community members can cite historic and personal accounts to prove this. Therefore, it would be foolhardy (at the least) to turn to a system that has methodically oppressed us, and request that they free us. We can only free ourselves through extreme discipline and intelligent planning.

As a community we have been too compliant with leaders who organize ineffective, delayed reactions. The only strategy that can save us in this last hour is one that calls for a collective code of conduct that will be conducive to improving the conditions of our community, and shifting the paradigm of how we are treated by outside entities. The first step of this code of conduct should be based on economics.

The old adage of “money talks,” still reigns true in the new millennium. Any political scientist worth his or her library card will tell you that: “Economic powerlessness equals political powerlessness,” and conversely “economic power equals political power.” This means that if we continue to allow our wealth to be extracted from our community, we will remain impotent.

The power of the collective “Black Dollar” is often discussed. However, that power has been left unchanneled. Today is the day to change that. A one-time boycott is not going to bring long-term change and respect to our community. Our community has launched boycotts before. Our success and ascension will be based on what we consistently do. For this reason, we should initiate “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS.”

BUY BLACK FRIDAYS is a small step towards our community acquiring power via controlling our economics. Every Friday, people who acknowledge the injustice and oppression that the African American community has been consistently subjected to should do one of the following:

Option #1: Spend $0 on Friday
Option #2: Spend no more than $10 on Friday
Option #3: Only Shop at Black Businesses on Friday
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE OPTIONS CAN & SHOULD BE EXERCISED ON A DAILY BASIS. However, we can all at the very least focus on Fridays. This way we can take a collective stand and build our collective discipline. Please remember that this is only Phase 1!].

To the people who are tempted to label “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS” as racist, I say this: In the big scheme of things, this is about right & wrong, justice & injustice. The African American community is a strong, proud community that has endured the brunt of America’s iron fist. We must stop the pounding. I feel that any fair-minded individual will concur, and join in.

ANY business that is privileged to enjoy the support of the African American community MUST return that support.

I thank you in advance for your effort and dedication.

-Elsie Law AKA Starface

Quote Of The Day

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest." -Maya Angelou

As The Adage Says: "Fish and Guests Start To Stink After 3 Days..."

According to an overseas newspaper, "The Independent," The U.S. is currently negotiating a secret deal that will allow its army to perpetually occupy Iraq. This "secret deal" is alleged to be so iron-clad, that the incoming President will not be able to alter it. If "The Independent's" sources are correct, this issue will also be a moot point in the upcoming Presidential debates because George Bush is supposedly going to push this deal through within the next four weeks. Doing so will allow the current President to declare a victory in the ongoing "war on terror." [SIDEBAR: Pyrrhic victory though it may be].

The deal will allegedly allow U.S troops in Iraq to: "occupy permanent bases, conduct military operations, arrest Iraqis and enjoy immunity from Iraqi law." I'm not sure if this is real or conjecture. However, if this is true- the moral, karmic, and financial repercussions of such a move will be devastating.

CLICK HERE for the source.

Quote Of The Day

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be." -William Shakespeare

The U.S.A's 08 Presidential Candidates Are...

For The Green Party:
Cynthia McKinney

For The Democratic Party:
Barack Obama

For The Republican Party:
John McCain

[SIDEBAR: Hilary Clinton wasted a lot of time and money holding on for dear life; not to mention all the damage she did to her reputation spewing "witticism" out of desperation. She's not the only one who had her presidential hopes dashed. Remember Guiliani; his campaign was over before it started.

We're off to the races...Let the presidential 08 games begin].

Quote Of The Day

"Do not allow yourself to be imprisoned by any affection. Keep your solitude. The day, if it ever comes, when you are given true affection there will be no opposition between interior solitude and friendship, quite the reverse. It is even by this infallible sign that you will recognize it." -Simone Weil

How's This For Irony?...

Tomorrow, New York will implement an increase in cigarette tax. According to NY1, the increase will make a New York cigarette pack the most expensive in the country. The irony is that state officials are reportedly looking to use the moneys gained from the exorbitant tax to fund "health-related programs."

How's this for today's logic problem:
Cigarette Smoking=Health Issues
Health Issues=Needed Funds For Health-Related Problems
Cigarette Smoking=Cigarette Tax=Lots of $$$
Cigarette Tax=Needed Funds For Health-Related Problems
Do you have a headache yet?! Lol.

If you're still smoking in 2008, wouldn't this be a great time to kick that nicotine habit? You can probably build a mini-mansion with the money you'll save.

Quote Of The Day

"That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong." -William J.H. Boetcker

TODAY IS...

Quote Of The Day

"We have committed the Golden Rule to memory; let us now commit it to life." -Edwin Markham

During A Time Of Tragedy The NYPD Sends A Sick Subliminal To The Black & Latino Community

In an attempt to obtain valuable statistics that would document the trend of police shooting an inordinate number of Black and Hispanic New York City residents, the City Council's Public Safety Committee hit a "blue-brick wall." Although The Freedom of Information Act, gives anyone the right to peruse any documentation that the NYPD would have compiled on such a serious life-and-death issue, police officials have found a cheeky and insulting way of refusing to provide this type of data.

The Firearms Discharge Report that the NYPD turned over to the committee insultingly contained minute details regarding police shootings involving dogs; but were lacking vital information when it came to revealing shootings involving police and African Americans & Latinos.

According to the Village Voice, Deputy Chief John Gerrish's explanation for the shoddy statistics was as follows: "Providing statistics on the age, race, and gender of each officer involved in a shooting as well as for the people who were shot is a waste of the NYPD's time and resources; because no meaningful conclusions may be drawn from such information."

The implications of such a statement coupled with the NYPD meticulously keeping records on what breed of dog was confronted with NYPD bullets, sends a clear message that maybe these people are more qualified to be on dog patrol than they are to "protect & serve" human beings.

CLICK HERE for the full Village Voice article.

Quote Of The Day

"Our ignorance of history causes us to slander our own times." -Gustave Flaubert

Quote Of The Day

"The Roots of Violence:
Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
Worship without sacrifice,
Politics without principles."
- Mohandas Gandhi

Video Of The Week

Your momentum is based on your vision!

Quote Of The Day

"Yesterday, I dared to struggle. Today, I dare to win." -Bernadette Devlin

BUY BLACK FRIDAYS / THE NEW 2008 LEGAL EAGLES NEWSLETTER (ISSUE #3)

WORDS TO LIVE BY:
"It is the fool whose own tomatoes are sold to him." - Akan Proverb

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived; but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." -Maya Angelou

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." -Anne Frank


The 2008 not guilty verdict in the Sean Bell case evoked outrage, emotion, and debate. It is not an anomaly that the police officers involved in the Sean Bell slaying were acquitted of all charges on all counts in State Supreme Court. I could run out of ink printing the names of people who have been victimized by the inaptly named justice system.

The American justice system has been especially terroristic towards the African American community. Many community members can cite historic and personal accounts to prove this. Therefore, it would be foolhardy (at the least) to turn to a system that has methodically oppressed us, and request that they free us. We can only free ourselves through extreme discipline and intelligent planning.

As a community we have been too compliant with leaders who organize ineffective, delayed reactions. The only strategy that can save us in this last hour is one that calls for a collective code of conduct that will be conducive to improving the conditions of our community, and shifting the paradigm of how we are treated by outside entities. The first step of this code of conduct should be based on economics.

The old adage of “money talks,” still reigns true in the new millennium. Any political scientist worth his or her library card will tell you that: “Economic powerlessness equals political powerlessness,” and conversely “economic power equals political power.” This means that if we continue to allow our wealth to be extracted from our community, we will remain impotent.

The power of the collective “Black Dollar” is often discussed. However, that power has been left unchanneled. Today is the day to change that. A one-time boycott is not going to bring long-term change and respect to our community. Our community has launched boycotts before. Our success and ascension will be based on what we consistently do. For this reason, we should initiate “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS.”

BUY BLACK FRIDAYS is a small step towards our community acquiring power via controlling our economics. Every Friday, people who acknowledge the injustice and oppression that the African American community has been consistently subjected to should do one of the following:

Option #1: Spend $0 on Friday
Option #2: Spend no more than $10 on Friday
Option #3: Only Shop at Black Businesses on Friday
[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE OPTIONS CAN & SHOULD BE EXERCISED ON A DAILY BASIS. However, we can all at the very least focus on Fridays. This way we can take a collective stand and build our collective discipline. Please remember that this is only Phase 1!].

To the people who are tempted to label “BUY BLACK FRIDAYS” as racist, I say this: In the big scheme of things, this is about right & wrong, justice & injustice. The African American community is a strong, proud community that has endured the brunt of America’s iron fist. We must stop the pounding. I feel that any fair-minded individual will concur, and join in.

ANY business that is privileged to enjoy the support of the African American community MUST return that support.

I thank you in advance for your effort and dedication.

-Elsie Law AKA Starface

BOOK EXCERPT OF THE WEEK: From, "The Power Of Now" By: Eckhart Tolle

A beggar had been sitting by the side of a road for over thirty years. One day a stranger walked by. 'Spare some change?' mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap. 'I have nothing to give you,' said the stranger. Then he asked: 'What's that you are sitting on?' 'Nothing,' replied the beggar. 'Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember.' 'Ever look inside?' asked the stranger. 'No,' said the beggar. 'What's the point?' There's nothing in there.' 'Have a look inside,' insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold.

I am that stranger who has nothing to give you and who is telling you to look inside. Not inside any box, as in the parable, but somewhere even closer: inside yourself."