Sarah Palin & Dr. Laura are not racist. Downright stupid maybe, but not racist!!

For some of you, the last few weeks has proved to be an unwelcome introduction to the good doctor. Some of you upon hearing her latest faux pas have asked yourselves: "who is this bitch?"

Well, with the help of The Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead, let's take a good look back at the life and times of Laura Shlessinger, shall we?

Before we do, understand that this isn't about racism, but instead, it's about the right to be an idiot in America. In case you didn't know, that right is etched in the constitution as well; don't be lead to think differently.

Surely being criticized for saying the word "nigger" on national radio is akin to Jim Crow laws which forbid black folks from sitting at lunch counters, and the front seats of buses.Yep, time to ring the alram which signals the impending doom of whiteness in the era of Kenyan born plutocratic socialist rule.

Yes it is and it's time for the long awaited White Civil Rights Movement to act Enter the Wasilla wingnut to whom 'Ground Zero' is a playground for retarded kids in Russia that she quite easily sees from her Alaskan bedroom window.

Yes, let's take a look at the life of the woman, to whom Sarah Palin has recently defended, and lent her support, in the ongoing fight which is the preservation of constitutional rights meant exclusively for whites.

Ron McNeil (R-FL): Build the "Mosque" Nine Stories Underground

I dunno what's happening in Florida, but with a Christian church proposing to hold a "Burn a Koran Day" on September 11th, I suppose what congressional candidate Ron McNeil (R-FL) had to say above isn't surprising.  Nothing like getting a few hundred thousand votes by appealing to the prejudiced mind.

So according to this prick, Islam is against the "freedom" that America represents. Wow, I never knew that about Islam; but I do know that one of said "freedoms" in America happens to be one that has to do with freedom of religion and expression, no? You'd think in a Christian nation where black churches were bombed, that such a fundamental American ideal would be endorsed without question.

I dunno who fixes the Kool-Aid for Republicans, but somebodies slippin' an idiot pill in it, that's for sure. But then again this is Florida we're talking about; I suppose all that sunshine eventually fries the brain.

TOTALLY IRRELEVANT SIDENOTE: In all fairness to the people concerned about the construction of the "mosque": we built many 'ground zeros' near mosques in Iraq since March 2003.  

I tell you what? Say what you want about kids being screwed up these days (?). But kids like Doug Reed who was willing to challenge McNeil's position, definitely gives me hope for the future of the nation.

As for the good folks of The Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida?

Well, there ain't no saving them; people like Pastor Terry Jones are a lost cause as are all religious nutjobs. But don't tell them I said that; I'd hate to wake up to cross burning on my lawn in Jesus' name.



STORY HERE

So I'm thinking about becoming a Republican, and...

I'm gonna need somebody to talk me out of it.

I'm at my end of my rope and at the "if you can't beat 'em join 'em," stage.

I mean damn, a brotha can only chase racism for so long, ya know?

So take your best shot; state your case for or against the idea...

I'm listening....

Anowa Adjah: Black Women are Working it Out

by Eco.Soul.Intellectual

I cried when I went running at Weequaic Park in Newark a few weeks ago because I saw so many sisters running and totally serious about getting in shape. Fuck hair and sweat stains, they had weight belts, gloves and those trash bag suits getting their work out on.

A couple of weeks later, I almost cried in front of my super-athletic sister when I completed 4 miles in 34 minutes. That was a miracle because I only could go about 2 miles for the longest. And on Saturday I ran 7 miles, oh yes, triathlon get ready.

I've been busting my tail getting back in shape and have been telling my colleagues that losing weight and getting shape have become my second job. And right now I'm working over time.

This brings the issue of black women getting it in shape.

Coming to the East, especially when I was in Atlanta, it kind of disturbed me when I saw so many out-of-shape sisters putting more stock in their ass(ets) than their bulging midsections. Then I went to Brick City and noticed that the metro chicks had too many bricks were coming out the front of their pants like a sagging potato sack.

But this is not just the East. I spoke to a mother of two yesterday from Los Angeles who told me her 12-year-old son is overweight, has high colesterol, and has about 2 hard bowel movements a week. In fact, her whole family is full of shit because they don't eat vegetables. When we started talking about eating habits, she admitted to not serving her children vegetables for a couple of years.

I almost lost hope with my sisters until I saw them working it on out like the local fitness phenom, Anowa Adjah, who also goes by the name, "The 200 lb. Nigerian Powerhouse." Shit she's even my hero as I struggle in these yoga classes trying to get rusted joints to open up.

Black women are understanding the beauty and necessity of maintaing a level of fitness that is important in maintaining a healthy community.

First Harry Reid, & Now Howard Dean Comes Out in Support of "Mosque" Being Moved

"This is not about the rights of Muslims to have a worship center..." - Howard Dean

I swear, I don't understand this crap. Not that I expect Democrats to be in lockstep with what the president had to say about the "mosque" at ground zero. But damn, stick to the script! With midterm elections this close, why add more fuel to the fire that is the developing wedge issue of the GOP's playbook? Yep, screw the Constitution; the mosque should be moved, right Mr. Dean? This is reason #4075 as to why Democrats stay losing.

Dr. Laura Shlessinger quits radio - "special interest people" (read: n*ggers) blamed

So I told you what was wrong with Dr. Laura and other melanin challenged folks who think like her the other day. Yes, I'm still of the belief that she needs to embrace her inner cracker. Don't run from it; embrace it.

You know RiPPa's down for anything meant to improve racial harmony, and promote feelings of post-racial Utopian Kumbaya, right? But unfortunately, you guys are the only ones who listen to me. Yep, nobody wants to listen to the ex-racism-chasing expert as he eulogizes the pre-post racial days long gone bye.

Some of you just won't let it go just like Dr. Laura Shlessinger.

Yep, even Dr. Laura - who could have learned a thing or two from my last post - isn't quite willing to let go of the old and embrace the new. Instead of digging deep down inside in the wake of her now infamous on-air "nigger moment", and embracing her inner cracker-ass-cracker, she decides to quit talk radio.

Please watch/listen to this bullshit:

The "Not-So-Ground-Zero" Mosque & Right-Wing Islamophobia

"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe." — Elie Wiesel

I realize that the debate over the building of an Islamic center near Ground Zero in downtown Manhattan may not be issue number one. Yes, and I'm fully aware that any attention paid to this debate plays directly into the strategy of right-wing politicians. However, unlike Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), we must not cave to the pressures of the noise-makers on the right.

To do so would be a compromise of our principles, ideals, and everything that we celebrate about America. And that would be, the very freedoms and rights afforded to everyone per the U.S. Constitution. The very same Constitution and American way of life that countless American-Muslims have died in service to the country with the utmost honor and sacrifice.


SIDE NOTE: While people protest the "Ground Zero Mosque", nobody has said a word about the Mosque that exists within the walls of the Pentagon. Was that not also a target of Islamic extremists on 9/11? Are Muslims not allowed to serve in the military?

But don't tell that to the people protesting; for only they know just what it is to be American. Don't mention the fact that American Muslims lost their lives in the tragedy that was 9/11. Further, don't mention to them that Islam is a religion of peace, that gets a bum rap due in large part to the political pandering and fear-mongering of politicians, and xenophobes alike.

Whatever you do, just like the words of the late great Howard Zinn suggests: "You cannot stay neutral on a moving train." Hopefully you stand for what is right, and what is American; I know I am, and hell I don't even do religion. I do however do politics because it impacts my life, and I believe in being as free as the U.S. Constitution allows the next man.

Neo-Nazi Anti-Immigration Protests in Tennessee: "Put Race & Nation First"

You know, for all the jokes about the people of Tennessee being slow country-folk from the hills, I'm really glad that the state within which I live has managed to keep up with the latest hot button issues politically.

People are grumbling about an Islamic Mosque being built near Ground Zero in New York City? In Tennessee, Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey a few weeks ago had the audacity to suggest: "You could even argue whether that being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, cult or whatever you want to call it?" 

Meanwhile, Republican Congressional candidate Lou Ann Zelenik, in the face of protests of the construction of a 52,000 square-foot mosque and community center in Murfreesboro, had this to say about the proposed facility: "[it's] designed to fracture the moral and political foundation of Middle Tennessee."

Oh how the Republican fear-mongering never gets tired.

So, I suppose it is no surprise to see that while anti-immigrant activists staged protests on the Arizona border by Tea Party members this weekend, their brethren in the state of Tennessee were not to be left out of the mix, by protesting in Knoxville. But this was not your average protest, this was one for the ages chock full of Confederate flags and Swastikas, which even featured Brian Holland, a 2012 presidential candidate:


Here in America the Constitution grants  everyone the right to freedom of speech and expression - religious or otherwise. But it is very sad that a certain group of people are of the opinion that this is reserved for whites only. Which further proves, that we still have a long way to go as far as the improvement of race relations, as long as miscreants such as the National Socialist Movement (the guys who hunt immigrants in the border region and shoot them like big game), and racist Republicans like Newt Gingrich continue to breathe....

and influence young minds.

PHOTO: Michael Patrick

Dr. Laura Shlessinger Needs to Embrace Her Inner Cracker

A few weeks ago, in commenting on the late George Steinbrenner on his show, Rush Limbaugh said: "That Cracker made a lot of African-Americans millionaires." For me, I thought his use of the word Cracker was a sure sign that we've come full circle and yes we were indeed finally coming to terms with, and fully embracing our post-racialness. I suddenly felt the need to question the use of the word Cracker. I mean Rush said it, so it has to be culturally acceptable, right?

I mean, now that it was out there, and coming from the mouth of a white man often accused of being racist by black folks, surely it would be OK, for black folks to start throwing it around freely without fear of repercussion. Now all of a sudden, black folks would be confronted with the dilemma of whether to drop the "er" at the end of the word, and replace it with an "a" was my thought. Gotta take the sting out of the word; nobody else can do that better than black folks; we're post-racial, right?

But then in steps Dr. Laura Schlessinger like gravity to pull my hopeful-but-deluded-nigger-ass back down to earth. Surely you know the story by now. Black caller married to a white man calls the white and ultra conservative version of Dr. Phil with a vagina, seeking advice on a racial issue. A call which became a train-wreck with the good doctor using the word nigger faster than the speed of a locomotive in six minutes.

So tell us how you felt about that RiPPa!

I'll be honest and not NAACP you, her using the word didn't offend me one bit. Actually, after I first heard the audio I thought... eh, it could have been worse - she could have called Jade (the lady who called in) a nigger, but she didn't. She used it in a specific context so as to make a point. Not a smart move, but I understood what she was saying. However, what totally fucked up my world was when she used the term "Black Think" as she sermonized the caller.

Homophobia and Religious Fundamentalism

Marriage equality has been in the news lately, what with the overturning of California’s unconstitutional Prop 8. I wrote the following a while back, thought it worthwhile to re-post it… I think it’s quite simple: if you don’t believe in gay marriage, don’t marry one. Period. Your religion? You’re free to practice your religion, but you’re not free to impose it on others. There are countries where you can do that and if you don’t like it here, you can move.

* * *

The issue of gay marriage is always a hot button topic (which is really a civil rights issue!). Opposition, especially in the Bible Belt and among religious conservatives, has been fierce, religion being used as the weapon of choice against homosexuality. Of equal importance, in terms of the national polity, has been the issue of religious extremism, or religious fundamentalism. Unfortunately, we have our own homegrown extremism right here in the states, though you wouldn't be able to tell.

Nothing has been more effective in uncovering the dark side of homophobia than the work of researchers. One researcher, who interviewed over 400 men incarcerated for gay-bashing noted that the gay bashers generally saw nothing wrong in what they did, and more often than not, stated that their religious leaders and traditions condoned their behavior. One particular adolescent stated that the pastor of his church had said, “Homosexuals represent the devil, Satan,” and that the Rev. Jerry Falwell had echoed that charge.

More eye-opening was the research by psychologists suggesting that 80 percent of men who are homophobic have secret homosexual feelings. In studies conducted by Henry E. Adams of the University of Georgia, the results of which were published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, homophobic men who scored high on a questionnaire measure of aversion to gay males experienced arousal when exposed to gay porn. Here, homophobia was operationally defined as the degree of “dread” experienced when placed in close quarters with a homosexual -- basically, how comfortable or uncomfortable the person was in interacting with gay people. This group were shown gay sex videos. Four out of five became sexually aroused by the homoerotic imagery, as recorded by a penile circumference measuring device -- a plethysmograph.

Prof. Adams says his research shows that most homophobes “demonstrate significant sexual arousal to homosexual erotic stimuli,” suggesting that homophobia is a form of “latent homosexuality where persons are either unaware of or deny their homosexual urges.”

Fundamentalist Christians and others opposed to equality for the LGBT community almost always appeal to the moral imperatives of the Bible, claiming that Scripture is very clear on the matter, often citing verses that support their opinion. If others disagree, they accuse them of perverting and distorting texts contrary to their “clear” meaning. However, if one were to investigate further they are not so clear when it comes to economic conduct (the so-called “free market”), the responsibilities of wealth, and greed.