Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Today's News # 2 in NJ Past 12 weeks
Daryl Mikell Brooks Owner of Today's News NJ
New Jersey's Most Influential Political blogs
This measure tracks each blog over the last twelve weeks in a rolling average, producing a more stable measure of influence that reflects a blogs longer-term impact on the blogospheric conversation rather than the "Official" single week results which can be influenced by a few really good or really controversial posts.
Rank Blog Prev
1 Politicker NJ 1
2 TODAY'S NEWS NJ 2
3 CWA-NJ Conservatives with Attitude! 3
4 MiddletownMike 4
5 Dan Cirucci 5
6 ClearysNoteBook 7
7 moremonmouthmusings 6
8 The Save Jersey Blog 8
9 Politics Patrol: Bob Ingle 10
10 Capitol Quickies 9
11 Hoboken Now 12
12 Politics 24/7 Weblog 11
13 Bayonne Now Impact 13
14 Blue Jersey 14
15 Baristanet 15
16 Hoboken411 17
17 In The Lobby 18
18 Morris Politics 16
19 Alice's Restaurant -
20 The County Watchers
Blognetnews
Shanghai ‘Black Girl’ Lou Jing Abused By Racist Netizens
From NetEase:
Shanghai “Black girl” Lou Jing becomes famous on the internet
Lou Jing [shown with mother above], who participated in DragonTV’s “Jia you! Oriental Angels“, recently became exceptionally popular on the internet, having been cursed to fame by netizens! Lou Jing was viciously abused owning to her life experience. Many netizens learned that Lou Jing was born after her married mother had [extra-marital] relations with a black man, and let loose a torrent of abuse on the internet. August 30, Lou Jing issued on the internet a stern but fair protest against netizens’ racism, that the color of her skin should not become a target of attack. At the same time, she also said she reserved the right to take legal action.
From KDS:
Shanghai’s most green [cuckolded] man, whose wife gives birth to a black man’s child~~
Lou Jing’s mother had a husband, then had an extramarital affair with a black man, then gave birth to Lou Jing, and then after her birth divorced.
And that black devil, after f%^king ran back to his home in Africa.
It is unimaginable how that Shanghainese man [husband], excited and anxious to see his own “daughter”, must have felt when he saw that she was black…
A response by Lou Jing on KDS:
I am DragonTV Angel Lou Jing, and here I make a statement!
My father is American, not African.
I am a born and bred Shanghainese person.
I should not have to bear my parents’ mistake, I am innocent!
Sternly but strongly protest some people’s racism, my skin color should not become a target of attack!
I reserve the right to take legal action!
Bernice King Should Publicly Renounce Her Anti-Gay Bigotry
By Earl Ofari Hutchinson
Bernice King can make history in two ways. She made it first by becoming the first woman in the fifty two year history of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to take the organization’s reins. Now she can make history in another way. She should renounce the anti-gay bigotry of her recent past. That bigotry was on shameful and insulting display in December 2004 when she and thousands of marchers stood at the gravesite of her father, Martin Luther King, Jr., and denounced gay marriage. The implication was that King might well have stood with her and them in their protest against gay rights.
Nothing could be further from the truth. King’s fight against bigotry and discrimination, all bigotry and discrimination, was relentless and uncompromising. If anything that day, King would have been across the street from his gravesite with the hundred or so other counter-demonstrators. They loudly shouted that what Bernice and the marchers were doing at her father’s gravesite and in his name, was a travesty and a disgrace. King sullied her father’s name to show her enmity to gay marriage. She also sullied her mother’s too. A few years before Bernice’s gravesite antic, Coretta Scott King issued a public statement forcefully denouncing anti-gay bigotry and made it perfectly clear that her husband would be a champion of gay rights if he were alive.
Bernice King is an outspoken evangelical, and she and other black evangelicals have marched, protested, wrote letters and circulated petitions denouncing gay marriage. This is (?) her belief and she certainly has the right to express it. That is she has the right as a minister, evangelical, religious fundamentalist, and private citizen. Her anti-gay bias swims forcefully in the main current of conservative evangelical belief, thought, and expression. A significant number of blacks, and a majority of black evangelicals, like her also oppose gay marriage and even gay rights. They rail at the notion that the battle for gay marriage should in any way be called a civil rights fight. And certainly in King's day gay rights was invisible on America's public policy radarscope, and homosexuality, among blacks and whites, was hushed up. There's not a word in any of his speeches or writings about homosexuality or whether he believed the civil rights struggle was inclusive of gays. That’s only because it was not a visible and compelling issue of discrimination then. It is today. And Bernice King now heads up the organization, with her father’s name and stamp all over it, that was founded to fight against discrimination.
ML King, and the ministers, and many of the thousands who fervently believed in and marched with him in support of the ideals of the SCLC would without missing a beat march against gay marriage bans, the hate crime murders and assaults on gays, cheered Congress for ending its years of stalls, dodges, and foot drags to pass the Matthew Shepard/James Byrd Hate Crimes Bill. The bill adds gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, to existing hate crimes laws. President Obama quickly signed it into law. King would have cheered loudly at its passage too. In fact, the SCC leadership, pre-King’s election as President, also lobbied for it and cheered its passage.
King almost certainly would have vigorously denounced California’s anti gay marriage amendment, Proposition 8, and all other similar initiatives and legislative acts that have encoded anti-gay marriage bans into law. He would have applauded court and state rulings that have upheld gay marriage. He would have pushed SCLC, including those doubting, wavering, and tradition bound ministers in the organization to do the same. This is not revisionism or after the decades fact speculation. King refused to buckle to FBI, and White House pressure, and the pressure from conservatives inside SCLC to dump his chief aid and the architect of the March on Washington Bayard Rustin. He was avowedly gay. It took courage to resist their efforts to oust Rustin. But King deeply believed that embodied in the civil rights cause was a person's right to be whom and what he was. King may have even praised his daughter for having the courage and conviction to march for her beliefs, but that would not have changed his unyielding belief that bigotry is still bigotry, whether it's racial or sexual preference, and must be uncompromisingly opposed.
On its website SCLC clearly says “its mission is to challenge all people of good will, of every persuasion, who believe in the principles espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr. to join us.” Presumably that’s the mission of its new president. She can prove it is by publicly renouncing her anti-gay bigotry.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His forthcoming book, How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge (Middle Passage Press) will be released in January, 2010.
Bernice King can make history in two ways. She made it first by becoming the first woman in the fifty two year history of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to take the organization’s reins. Now she can make history in another way. She should renounce the anti-gay bigotry of her recent past. That bigotry was on shameful and insulting display in December 2004 when she and thousands of marchers stood at the gravesite of her father, Martin Luther King, Jr., and denounced gay marriage. The implication was that King might well have stood with her and them in their protest against gay rights.
Nothing could be further from the truth. King’s fight against bigotry and discrimination, all bigotry and discrimination, was relentless and uncompromising. If anything that day, King would have been across the street from his gravesite with the hundred or so other counter-demonstrators. They loudly shouted that what Bernice and the marchers were doing at her father’s gravesite and in his name, was a travesty and a disgrace. King sullied her father’s name to show her enmity to gay marriage. She also sullied her mother’s too. A few years before Bernice’s gravesite antic, Coretta Scott King issued a public statement forcefully denouncing anti-gay bigotry and made it perfectly clear that her husband would be a champion of gay rights if he were alive.
Bernice King is an outspoken evangelical, and she and other black evangelicals have marched, protested, wrote letters and circulated petitions denouncing gay marriage. This is (?) her belief and she certainly has the right to express it. That is she has the right as a minister, evangelical, religious fundamentalist, and private citizen. Her anti-gay bias swims forcefully in the main current of conservative evangelical belief, thought, and expression. A significant number of blacks, and a majority of black evangelicals, like her also oppose gay marriage and even gay rights. They rail at the notion that the battle for gay marriage should in any way be called a civil rights fight. And certainly in King's day gay rights was invisible on America's public policy radarscope, and homosexuality, among blacks and whites, was hushed up. There's not a word in any of his speeches or writings about homosexuality or whether he believed the civil rights struggle was inclusive of gays. That’s only because it was not a visible and compelling issue of discrimination then. It is today. And Bernice King now heads up the organization, with her father’s name and stamp all over it, that was founded to fight against discrimination.
ML King, and the ministers, and many of the thousands who fervently believed in and marched with him in support of the ideals of the SCLC would without missing a beat march against gay marriage bans, the hate crime murders and assaults on gays, cheered Congress for ending its years of stalls, dodges, and foot drags to pass the Matthew Shepard/James Byrd Hate Crimes Bill. The bill adds gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, to existing hate crimes laws. President Obama quickly signed it into law. King would have cheered loudly at its passage too. In fact, the SCC leadership, pre-King’s election as President, also lobbied for it and cheered its passage.
King almost certainly would have vigorously denounced California’s anti gay marriage amendment, Proposition 8, and all other similar initiatives and legislative acts that have encoded anti-gay marriage bans into law. He would have applauded court and state rulings that have upheld gay marriage. He would have pushed SCLC, including those doubting, wavering, and tradition bound ministers in the organization to do the same. This is not revisionism or after the decades fact speculation. King refused to buckle to FBI, and White House pressure, and the pressure from conservatives inside SCLC to dump his chief aid and the architect of the March on Washington Bayard Rustin. He was avowedly gay. It took courage to resist their efforts to oust Rustin. But King deeply believed that embodied in the civil rights cause was a person's right to be whom and what he was. King may have even praised his daughter for having the courage and conviction to march for her beliefs, but that would not have changed his unyielding belief that bigotry is still bigotry, whether it's racial or sexual preference, and must be uncompromisingly opposed.
On its website SCLC clearly says “its mission is to challenge all people of good will, of every persuasion, who believe in the principles espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr. to join us.” Presumably that’s the mission of its new president. She can prove it is by publicly renouncing her anti-gay bigotry.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His forthcoming book, How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge (Middle Passage Press) will be released in January, 2010.
Rihanna Says Brown's Assault and Aftermath was 'Humiliating'
Rihanna says dealing with the media attention after being assaulted in February by ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was humiliating. But she now hopes to speak for young women who are afraid to talk openly about domestic violence.
The 21-year-old pop star told Glamour magazine in an interview posted online Tuesday that the police photo of her bruised face that was leaked to reporters added insult to injury.
After the assault, she awoke to find helicopters circling her house and reporters swarming her street. "I felt like I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears," she said.
Rihanna said she felt disappointed and taken advantage of, especially when she heard that the two officers under investigation for leaking her photo were women.
"I felt like people were making it into a fun topic on the Internet, and it's my life," she said.
Rihanna said she didn't realize how much her decisions affected people she didn't know, like her many fans. She feels stronger, wiser and more aware now, she added.
"Domestic violence is a big secret," Rihanna said. "The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn't heard. Now I can help speak for those women."
Brown, 20, pleaded guilty to felony assault in June. He was sentenced to five years' probation, six months of community labor and a year of domestic violence counseling for the attack, in which he was accused of hitting, choking and biting Rihanna in a rented sports car.
TMZ published the photo of Rihanna's bruised face less than two weeks after the beating, and the LAPD immediately launched an internal investigation of the leak.
Academy embraces Cornel West's vision
Reed Shannon, 9, pours water during a libation ceremony at Cornel West Academy of Excellence. The nonprofit school in Raleigh educates at-risk minority boys in second through sixth grade.
BY LUCIANA CHAVEZ - Staff writer
RALEIGH -- Twenty-five boys from the Cornel West Academy of Excellence recited their multipart creed, standing in front of renowned intellectual Cornel West at Princeton University.
"I will always seek what is right, even in times of despair," goes one line.
Impressed, the Princeton professor had them do it again later that night, Oct. 19, at the release event for his new book, "Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud."
So in front of a crowd of 500, the Academy of Excellence students ended with the kicker, "The world depends on me," and earned a standing ovation.
It was a gratifying moment for Antoine Medley, the man behind the academy, a local mentoring program for boys in second through sixth grade.
The Cornel West Academy of Excellence is in its first year of meeting Sundays at St. Augustine's College to study chess, language, culture, black history and themselves.
"Our young black boys need more people to move on their behalf," Medley says.
Medley is sure that a crisis exists among young black American males. He knows he has to aim high, and aiming high led him to West.
Reading West's book "Democracy Matters," Medley came up the idea for the academy; he just needed a good name. Who better to name it after than Cornel West, he thought. After all, in his earlier work, "Race Matters," West had defined the fundamental crisis in black America as "too much poverty and too little self-love." Medley's academy would take aim at those ills.
The Full Story
Obama's half brother recalls their abusive father
GUANGZHOU, China — President Barack Obama's half brother has broken his media silence to discuss his new novel — the semi-autobiographical story of an abusive parent patterned on their late father, the mostly absent figure Obama wrote about in his own memoir.
In his first interview, Mark Ndesandjo told The Associated Press that he wrote "Nairobi to Shenzhen" in part to raise awareness of domestic violence.
"My father beat my mother and my father beat me, and you don't do that," said Ndesandjo, whose mother, Ruth Nidesand, was Barack Obama Sr.'s third wife. "It's something which I think affected me for a long time, and it's something that I've just recently come to terms with."
Like his novel's main character, Ndesandjo had an American mother who is Jewish and who divorced his Kenyan father. The novel, which goes on sale Wednesday by the self-publishing company Aventine Press, is one of several books in the works by relatives of the president.
President Obama's parents separated two years after he was born in Hawaii in 1961. The senior Obama, a Kenyan exchange student, divorced the president's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, in 1964 and had at least six other children in his native Kenya.
For the past seven years, Ndesandjo has been living in the booming southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, and has refused all interview requests until now.
Ndesandjo, who said he attended Obama's inauguration as a family guest, declined to discuss his earliest memories of the president or describe their relationship over the years. However, he said he plans to meet his brother in Beijing when the president makes his first visit to China on Nov. 15-18.
The Full Story
Black Broadcasting Network Presents, 'Raising Boys - Tips for Single Moms'
HOUSTON, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Broadcasting Network (BBN) will premiere its groundbreaking documentary series "Raising Boys - Tips for Single Moms" at Houston's Angelika Theater, Thursday, November 5th. The four part opus focuses on the plight of inner-city single mothers and stars Houston-based activist, Deric Muhammad, a product of an urban single parent household himself. The premier starts at 7pm CT.
"I believe that much of the youth violence that has spiraled out of control in America's major cities can be traced to the lack of guidance from strong fathers," said Muhammad. "The problems start in the home and spill over into the streets. We think we can help."
Muhammad takes you on a ride through the lives of women who are forced to pull "double duty," playing the strenuous role of mother and father. Statistics show that some 70% of the households in America's Black communities are headed by the female.
"Black Broadcasting Network is dedicated to enhancing the value of programming available to viewers today, and we are excited to present the premier of 'Raising Boys,'" said Attorney Ricky Anderson, CEO of Black Broadcasting Network. "We believe 'Raising Boys' exhibits the type of programming BBN has in store for our targeted audience."
This documentary is part of BBN's strong grass roots campaign to address issues affecting the underserved age 18-34 demographic that it is determined to serve. The network will offer reality-based, solution-oriented content that speaks to the heart of the real issues facing young people growing up in today's America. Thursday's premier is one example of how the network plans to showcase and identify rising independent producers. BBN will host premieres throughout the coming months in major urban cities including Washington, DC, Chicago, New York and Atlanta.
About Black Broadcasting Network
Black Broadcasting Network (BBN), America's newest 24-hour, cable channel, is created specifically for today's hip, urban viewer. We deliver a mix of movies, sports and original programming, providing our audience with the latest in black films, music, comedy, and positive urban lifestyle programming. Our viewers will get programming they can't find anywhere else, appealing to a hipper, younger audience while delivering current and modern entertainment they crave.
"I believe that much of the youth violence that has spiraled out of control in America's major cities can be traced to the lack of guidance from strong fathers," said Muhammad. "The problems start in the home and spill over into the streets. We think we can help."
Muhammad takes you on a ride through the lives of women who are forced to pull "double duty," playing the strenuous role of mother and father. Statistics show that some 70% of the households in America's Black communities are headed by the female.
"Black Broadcasting Network is dedicated to enhancing the value of programming available to viewers today, and we are excited to present the premier of 'Raising Boys,'" said Attorney Ricky Anderson, CEO of Black Broadcasting Network. "We believe 'Raising Boys' exhibits the type of programming BBN has in store for our targeted audience."
This documentary is part of BBN's strong grass roots campaign to address issues affecting the underserved age 18-34 demographic that it is determined to serve. The network will offer reality-based, solution-oriented content that speaks to the heart of the real issues facing young people growing up in today's America. Thursday's premier is one example of how the network plans to showcase and identify rising independent producers. BBN will host premieres throughout the coming months in major urban cities including Washington, DC, Chicago, New York and Atlanta.
About Black Broadcasting Network
Black Broadcasting Network (BBN), America's newest 24-hour, cable channel, is created specifically for today's hip, urban viewer. We deliver a mix of movies, sports and original programming, providing our audience with the latest in black films, music, comedy, and positive urban lifestyle programming. Our viewers will get programming they can't find anywhere else, appealing to a hipper, younger audience while delivering current and modern entertainment they crave.
7 Safety Protection Ways against Swine Flu
Swine flu, also known as 2009 H1N1 type A influenza, is a human malady. People get the malady from other people, not from pigs.
The disease initially was nicknamed swine flu because the virus that causes the disease came to humans from pigs. The virus contains genes from swine, bird, and human flu viruses. Scientists are still in dispute about what the virus should be called, but most people know it as the H1N1 swine flu virus.
1.Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Scrub for at least 20 seconds and rinse thoroughly. If soap and water are not available, wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand gel.
2.Use Masks. Masks can prevent the passing of airborne pathogens from spreading. Many areas that have a large number of cases of Swine flu are opting to have the residents wear them when they are out in public in an effort to prevent the disease from spreading even further. This is a very easy and smart way that people can use for protection.
3.Stay away from sick people. Avoid close contact — that is, being within 6 feet — with people who have flu-like symptoms.
4.Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. That’s not easy to do, so keep those hands clean.
5.Eat healthy food, getting plenty of sleep and keeping your immune system strong can help prevent infections. Vitamin D supplementation may also be of benefit when taken in adequate doses.
6.Get Swine Flu Vaccine. Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. Find H1N1 (Swine) flu and seasonal flu vaccines where you live.
7.Use the Wein Air Supply Personal Air Purifier to help reduce exposure to airborne germs.
The disease initially was nicknamed swine flu because the virus that causes the disease came to humans from pigs. The virus contains genes from swine, bird, and human flu viruses. Scientists are still in dispute about what the virus should be called, but most people know it as the H1N1 swine flu virus.
1.Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Scrub for at least 20 seconds and rinse thoroughly. If soap and water are not available, wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand gel.
2.Use Masks. Masks can prevent the passing of airborne pathogens from spreading. Many areas that have a large number of cases of Swine flu are opting to have the residents wear them when they are out in public in an effort to prevent the disease from spreading even further. This is a very easy and smart way that people can use for protection.
3.Stay away from sick people. Avoid close contact — that is, being within 6 feet — with people who have flu-like symptoms.
4.Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. That’s not easy to do, so keep those hands clean.
5.Eat healthy food, getting plenty of sleep and keeping your immune system strong can help prevent infections. Vitamin D supplementation may also be of benefit when taken in adequate doses.
6.Get Swine Flu Vaccine. Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. Find H1N1 (Swine) flu and seasonal flu vaccines where you live.
7.Use the Wein Air Supply Personal Air Purifier to help reduce exposure to airborne germs.
Clippers owner Sterling to pay $2.725 million to settle lawsuit
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling will pay $2.725 million to the U.S. Department of Justice to settle a lawsuit that alleged racial discrimination in apartment rentals.
The lawsuit, originally filed in August 2006, alleged that Sterling discriminated against African-Americans, Hispanics and families with children at apartment buildings he controls in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles.
Sterling's wife, Rochelle, and the Sterling Family Trust were also named as defendants in the suit. Sterling owns and manages 119 apartment buildings comprising over 5,000 apartments in Los Angeles County.
According to a statement from the Justice Department, the payment is "largest monetary payment ever obtained by the department in the settlement of a case alleging housing discrimination in the rental of apartments."
The $2.725 million penalty breaks down to a $100,000 civil fine and the other $2.625 million will be paid to a fund that will pay monetary damages to those "who were harmed by the defendants’ discriminatory practices."
The terms of the distribution of the $2.625 million will be determined in a separate disbursement order.
The settlement must be approved by U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer.
The lawsuit, originally filed in August 2006, alleged that Sterling discriminated against African-Americans, Hispanics and families with children at apartment buildings he controls in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles.
Sterling's wife, Rochelle, and the Sterling Family Trust were also named as defendants in the suit. Sterling owns and manages 119 apartment buildings comprising over 5,000 apartments in Los Angeles County.
According to a statement from the Justice Department, the payment is "largest monetary payment ever obtained by the department in the settlement of a case alleging housing discrimination in the rental of apartments."
The $2.725 million penalty breaks down to a $100,000 civil fine and the other $2.625 million will be paid to a fund that will pay monetary damages to those "who were harmed by the defendants’ discriminatory practices."
The terms of the distribution of the $2.625 million will be determined in a separate disbursement order.
The settlement must be approved by U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer.
Star of the week Jay Webber head of N.J. GOP Happy days are here again
Red Tide: After Losses In Virginia and New Jersey What Will Obama Say?
VA-GOV candidate Bob McDonnell and NJ-GOV candidate Chris Christie
President Obama will wake up Wednesday morning on the one-year anniversary of his historic election with two fewer Democratic governors he can call allies.
In New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie unseated Gov. Jon Corzine (D). Virginia Republicans swept the statewide races and picked up seats in the state house as Republican former attorney general Bob McDonnell walloped state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D) by more than 15 points.
Here's what we know:
The White House expected to lose in Virginia, but they had high hopes the Obama machine would get voters fired up for Corzine.
Obama aides told CNN the president wouldn't watch returns, and instead would watch a basketball game.
Requests for comment or details about whether Obama spoke to the Republican victors have been met with radio silence and Obama is getting out of town Wednesday for an education speech in Wisconsin.
For days the White House has been saying the results should not reflect on Obama or his agenda going forward, but that's going to be a tough sell.
RNC Chairman Mike Steele will gloat.
It's unclear if the tea-partiers-emboldened storyline will hold up, since as of this writing the Democrat Bill Owens holds the lead in New York's 23rd Congressional district over the conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman. Conservatives say they are rallying together to nominate strong candidates in 2010.
Organizing for America put in effort to help Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey, but tonight already was moving on for a full focus on the future. OFA asked supporters to make calls about health care as House Democrats outlined the final details of their bill.
(Speaking of health care, both of the Republican governors-elect have said they would opt out of the public option if that were to pass.)
As OFA holds reunions in celebration of the 2008 anniversary, some Democrats involved at the state level are questioning the lasting strength of the Obama grassroots army.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)