More Evidence That the Thug is an Inverted Cowboy

My niece was watching a music video called "Corporate Thuggin'" on BET. Oh the patriarchal and other links between Afro-American culture(especially Afro-Masculinity) and the Cowboy mythology.

From Barbra

‘Out of many, one’ It’s the sentiment he’s repeated since the moment the world was first introduced to Senator Barack Obama at the 2004 Democratic convention. It’s the idea trailblazers before him have used to inspire a generation of people to a call to action--to shake things up and remind us of what’s possible when the American people come together to help one another in achieving bigger dreams. Barack has awakened in many of us the notion that we can again be hopeful, enabling us to believe that we are capable of lifting our brothers and sisters out of poverty, of providing quality education for all our children, of ending this unjust war in Iraq and bringing our troops home safely. He’s reminded us ‘yes we can’…we can make the transition from fossil fuels to green energy; we can take care of our elderly and make sure that good healthcare is not just a perk for a few, but a right for every man, woman and child. We are experiencing not just a presidential campaign, but a movement; a movement of inspired young people who have been cynical about politics for too long. For Barack, hope, change, believe…they are not just words. They are tangible ideas that make up the blueprint to building a better America for all of us. He is committed to making the road stronger for those that come after and to leaving behind something that lasts longer than his own spotlight. It’s for all these reasons that I support Barack Obama for President and look forward to November when I can make my voice heard along with millions of other Americans. I hope you’ll join me.

The King Children Ought to Be Ashamed

What a flailing lack of integrity amongst all of them. Harry Belafonte should have whipped their butts a long time ago anyway....and to think they had George Bush sitting UP HIGH at their mother's funeral.....shame....shame..shame!!!

Isn't it interesting what things get in the way of much larger thoughts and emotions...like packing clothes or preparing dinner....the minute things that fill in the pockets...

Great News on the Angola 3 From Democracy Now

Conviction Overturned for Jailed Black Panther in “Angola 3” Case
And a federal judge has overturned a murder conviction for an ex-Black Panther who spent more than three decades in solitary confinement. Albert Woodfox and two other former Black Panthers are known as the Angola Three. Many believe they were framed for their political activism. A judge ruled this week Woodfox’s lawyer failed to properly challenge the credibility of witnesses who later admitted they were coerced into falsely testifying.

A New Day at Purdue University

They put Black people on their webpage! And more than one!

What will they do with Karl Rove?

I don't care what anybody says, I think Carl Van Vechten was gay.

Tonight was lovely.

U.S. Deserter Could Qualify as Refugee in Canada

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/07/04/refugee-ruling.html?ref=rss
July 4, 2008

An American war deserter could have a valid claim for
refugee status in Canada, the Federal Court ruled on
Friday.

In a decision that may have an impact on dozens of
refugee claimants in Canada, Federal Court Justice
Robert Barnes said Canada's refugee board erred by
rejecting the asylum bid of Joshua Key. He ordered that
a new panel reconsider the application.

Key was sent to Iraq in 2003 as a combat engineer for
eight months where he said he was responsible for
nighttime raids on private Iraqi homes, which included
searching for weapons.

He alleged that during his time in Iraq he witnessed
several cases of abuse, humiliation, and looting by the
U.S. army.

When Key was back in the U.S on a two-week leave, he
said he was suffering from debilitating nightmares and
that he couldn't return. A military lawyer told him
that he could either return to Iraq or face prison.

Instead, Key took his family to Canada and applied for
refugee status.

While the immigration board concluded that some of the
alleged conduct by the U.S military included a
"disturbing level of brutality," it said the conduct
did not meet the definition of a war crime or a crime
against humanity.

Barnes said the board erred "by concluding that refugee
protection for military deserters and evaders is only
available where the conduct objected to amounts to a
war crime, a crime against peace or a crime against
humanity."

Citing a case from the U.S. Federal Court of Appeal,
Barnes said officially condoned military misconduct
could still support a refugee claim, even if it falls
short of a war crime.

"The authorities indicate that military action which
systematically degrades, abuses or humiliates either
combatants or non-combatants is capable of supporting a
refugee claim where that is the proven reason for
refusing to serve," Barnes wrote.

Barnes said the board imposed a legal standard that was
"too restrictive" on Key, who lives in Saskatchewan.

Key's lawyer, Jeffry House, said the ruling expands a
soldier's right to refuse military service.

"It's a huge victory for numerous soldiers who are here
and maybe others who are thinking of coming here,"
House said.

A spokeswoman for Immigration Minister Diane Finley
said they were reviewing the court decision.

_____________________________________________

Portside aims to provide material of interest
to people on the left that will help them to
interpret the world and to change it.

Over My Head

Over my head, I hear music in the air;
over my head, I hear music in the air;
over my head, I hear music in the air;
there must be a God somewhere.

1. Leader: Oh, when the world is silent,
People: Hmm, I hear music in the air;
Leader: oh, when the world is silent,
People: hmm, I hear music in the air;
Leader: Oh, when the world is silent,
People: hmm, I hear music in the air;
All: there must be a God somewhere.
(Refrain)

2. Leader: And when I'm feeling lonely,
People: Hmm, I hear music in the air;
Leader: and when I'm feeling lonely,
People: hmm, I hear music in the air;
Leader: and when I'm feeling lonely,
People: hmm, I hear music in the air;
All: there must be a God somewhere.
(Refrain)

3. Leader: Now when I think on Jesus,
People: Hmm, I hear music in the air;
Leader: now when I think on Jesus,
People: hmm, I hear music in the air;
Leader: now when I think on Jesus,
People: hmm, I hear music in the air;
All: there must be a God somewhere.

Congratulations Venus!

I Can't Believe Nadal Beat Federer!

Im not mad though. They are both hot and Nadal has a great ass.

The McCain Home in Foreclosure?

Interesting Fact

Roger Ailes, founder and owner of Fox News Channel, was the media person for Richard Nixon.