Michigan Passes Law Requiring Welfare Recipients To Do Community Service Republicans in Michigan have passed a law that will now require welfare recipients to perform community service. via Battle Creek Enquirer State lawmakers passed bills Wednesday that would deny unemployment benefits to people who refuse to take drug tests required by employers. It also would require community service for people receiving government assistance. The drug testing bill, which passed the House Commerce Committee on a 12-4 vote with three Democrats passing on the issue, would deny unemployment benefits for people who either refused to take a drug test required by an employer or tested positive. The community service bill, which passed the state Senate on a 27-9 vote would require people receiving food stamps or other welfare benefits to perform community service in order to get the money. Republicans called the bills common sense. Continue reading →
Haven’t you effed up enough already sir? Anthony Weiner Flips The Bird To Reporters After NYC Mayoral Loss Via NYPost Anthony Weiner’s clownish run for mayor ended like a three-ring circus last night, as he admitted to a crushing defeat at a campaign party that ended with him flipping the bird at a reporter. “I have to say we had the best ideas, but sadly, I was the incorrect messenger,” said Weiner, who got only 4.9 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary. Of course, you-know-who had to show up to get in some quality attention-sloring The night began with yet another humiliation for “Carlos Danger” when Sydney Leathers, the porn star who sunk his campaign by exposing their secret sexting affair, showed up at the Midtown bar where he was speaking. They never met, because the disgraced former congressman sneaked into his own event through the back door like a party crasher. “He needs to stop being an embarrassment to the City of New York. He should have dropped out of the race a long time ago, in my opinion,” said Leathers, who wore a red dress that showed off her new breast implants. Guess who WASN’T there though? One person who didn’t show up was Weiner’s wife, Huma Abedin, who sources said was in the Hamptons. As he left Connolly’s bar, Weiner got mad at the press — obviously the source of all of his woes — and brought his sleazy campaign to a classless end by flashing his middle finger at a WNBC/Channel 4 reporter while he was being driven away. Way to bow out gracefully Carlos…smh Image via NYPost/AP/Twitter
NAACP President And CEO Ben Jealous To Resign Ben Jealous , NAACP President and CEO, has announced that he will no longer lead the civil rights organization. According to USA Today: The man who has become the face of the NAACP — from marches protesting the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin to vigils for death row inmate Troy Davis in Georgia — is resigning effective Dec. 31. In an interview with USA TODAY, Benjamin Todd Jealous said the constant travel as president and CEO of the nation’s largest civil rights organization has kept him away too much from his wife, civil rights lawyer Lia Epperson, and children, daughter Morgan, 7, and Jack, 13 months. He said he plans to make a formal announcement to his staff Monday morning. “Leadership knows when to step up and when to step down,” Jealous said. “This day I can say with pride that I’m prepared to step down and make room for the next person who will lead this organization to its next chapter.” Jealous, 40, said he is talking to a handful of schools within commuting distance of metropolitan Washington about teaching. He plans to continue work with civil rights colleagues toward raising money for a fund to promote black participation in politics. In a separate interview with USA TODAY columnist DeWayne Wickham, Jealous detailed plans to create an “EMILY’s list for people of color.” The civil rights leader said he’s satisfied that he will leave an organization in much better condition than it was when he took over five years ago. Back then, the Baltimore-based civil rights group was financially shaky and shouldering constant criticism that its aging leadership was out of touch. Now, the organization is solvent, social media savvy and its staff seems to be part of a new cadre of leaders — headed by President Obama — who are diverse, well-educated and visible. “In the last five years, we’ve had double-digit revenue growth, we’ve spent five years in the black,” Jealous said. Under Jealous, the donor base has grown from 16,422 in 2007, just before he started, to 132,543 last year. Revenue has grown from $25.7 million in 2008 to $46 million in 2012. Out of a total score of 70, independent non-profit reviewing organization Charity Navigator gives the NAACP 51.42 for finances and 70 for accountability and transparency. When Jealous came in at age 35, he was hailed as the youngest leader of the organization in its history, although some questioned whether he was old enough to serve, and the board vote approving him was close. As a lifelong activist, he was known in the civil rights community but not by the general public. Over the years, he changed that, appearing in public constantly, often alongside other civil rights leaders. If there was a major regional or national civil rights event, Jealous was often there with rolled-up sleeves. Other civil rights leaders credited Jealous for reaching out beyond the groups that have traditionally worked with the NAACP and stretching old boundaries. Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a group that advocates for gay and lesbian rights, said that when he assumed his role a little more than a year ago, Ben Jealous reached out and met with him on his first day on the job. Jealous was insistent that both groups work together, and Griffin credits Jealous with pushing the marriage equality measures that have passed in recent years, as well as strengthening previously weak activist ties between the black and lesbian and gay communities. “Many times I’ve called him a modern-day civil rights visionary, and I truly think that is the only description that captures him,” Griffin said. “He led the NAACP to embrace marriage equality but also transformed the national conversation of civil rights.” Mary Kay Henry, international president of the Service Employees International Union, said Jealous helped expand what’s considered the civil rights agenda from the expected voting rights and death penalty cases to issues surrounding the closure of dangerous power plants, early childhood education and health care. “He’s been incredible in re-energizing the NAACP and taking the national operations to the next level,” said Henry, whose group worked with the NAACP to create a fund to advance black participation in politics. Because Jealous does not leave for four months, the organization does not yet have a plan in place for his replacement, Brock said. Jealous suggested the 104-year-old organization might be looking at a woman president. Thoughts on this sudden resignation?
Hollywood Mum On Syria For Fear Of Seeming “Anti-Black” SMH. Actors scared of being called racists ?? According to Hollywood Reporter: In 2003, ahead of a U.S. attack on Iraq, a robust anti-war movement in Hollywood included a TV commercial starring Martin Sheen and Sean Penn visiting Baghdad. There were online petitions signed by Ed Asner; letters to President George W. Bush pleading for peace were signed by Matt Damon, Tim Robbins, Barbra Streisand and Alec Baldwin; former M*A*S*H star Mike Farrell fronted multiple press conferences where celebrities denounced war. The good news for President Barack Obama as he considers a military response against Syria for using chemical weapons against rebels is that he probably won’t have to deal with a similar anti-war movement from Hollywood. But that’s not because there isn’t opposition. It’s just not organized, and, as Asner and Farrell – two of the industry’s most vocal progressive activists — told The Hollywood Reporter Friday, perhaps it never will be. While some conservatives see hypocrisy, Farrell says that an all-out war in Iraq under Bush, a Republican who was very unpopular in Hollywood, was a much bigger deal than potential missile strikes against Syria under the direction of Obama, a Democrat who drew millions for his campaigns from showbiz industry donors. Asner, 83, and Farrell, 74, both expressed extreme disappointment in Obama for advocating military action. “What he is talking about in Syria is a potential war crime,” Farrell said. “It will be illegal, and if citizens are killed it certainly could be considered a war crime.” Also, said Asner, unsuccessful efforts to prevent war in Iraq led to complacency among left-wing activists. “We had a million people in the streets, for Christ’s sake, protesting Iraq, which was about as illegal as you could find. Did it matter? Is George Bush being tried in the high courts of justice?” asks Asner. “We’ve been so God-damned stung in this country by false wars, repeatedly, that, how can you believe in any just war with the history we have had?” Another reason some Hollywood progressives have been reticent to speak out against war in Syria, according to Asner, is fear of being called racist. “A lot of people don’t want to feel anti-black by being opposed to Obama,” he said. Asner said Hollywood activists should read a Huffington Post blog item by Dennis Kucinich, where the former congressman lists the “Top 10 unproven claims for war against Syria.” “Whether it’s a Republican or Democrat president, or Republican or Democrat Congress — and it doesn’t make a God-damned difference — it behooves us to get off our ass and ask these questions,” Asner said. Farrell and Asner both say that beating the war drums on Syria is one of many mistakes Obama has made. “I voted for him, but I’m not proud. He hasn’t thrown himself on the funeral pyre. I wanted him to sacrifice himself. Instead, he has proved himself to be a corporatist, and as long as he’s a corporatist, he’s not my president,” Asner said. “A lot of people have lost hope — with the betrayals, the NSA spying … People aren’t getting active because ‘Who gives a sh*t?’ is essentially the bottom line.” Thoughts?? Discuss… WENN Continue reading →
Temple, Georgia’s First Black Mayoral Candidate Has Her House Burned Down An Africa-American female mayoral candidate from Temple, GA, who would be the city’s first black mayor should she win, appears to have been the victim of arson after her house was burned down just days after she confirmed her plans to enter the race. via WSBTV Georgia A woman attempting to become the first black mayor of Temple, Ga., finds it odd that four days after getting into the race, her house burns down. Karen Powell qualified for the race Tuesday. Saturday night, a home she owns off Old Bremen Road was destroyed by fire. Powell told Channel 2′s Tom Jones she is in total shock. “I’m a little jittery, yes. I’m a little nervous,” she said. “I’ve had the worst weekend I’ve ever had in my entire life.” “I just qualified. All of this, it was just like a domino effect,” Powell said. She was away from home Saturday when she got the call that her home was on fire. Fire officials are investigating how it started and whether it not it was an act of arson. Powell said her son lives in the house but wasn’t home at the time. Powell has two other challengers in the race. And while she finds the fire suspicious, she’s not ready to say if it had anything to do with her race or if it was intentionally set. “It’s just a lot of questions right now with no answers,” Powell said. Something definitely sounds shady about this “random” vicious attack. Thank goodness her son wasn’t home at the time. Photo Credit: WSBTV
Temple, Georgia’s First Black Mayoral Candidate Has Her House Burned Down An Africa-American female mayoral candidate from Temple, GA, who would be the city’s first black mayor should she win, appears to have been the victim of arson after her house was burned down just days after she confirmed her plans to enter the race. via WSBTV Georgia A woman attempting to become the first black mayor of Temple, Ga., finds it odd that four days after getting into the race, her house burns down. Karen Powell qualified for the race Tuesday. Saturday night, a home she owns off Old Bremen Road was destroyed by fire. Powell told Channel 2′s Tom Jones she is in total shock. “I’m a little jittery, yes. I’m a little nervous,” she said. “I’ve had the worst weekend I’ve ever had in my entire life.” “I just qualified. All of this, it was just like a domino effect,” Powell said. She was away from home Saturday when she got the call that her home was on fire. Fire officials are investigating how it started and whether it not it was an act of arson. Powell said her son lives in the house but wasn’t home at the time. Powell has two other challengers in the race. And while she finds the fire suspicious, she’s not ready to say if it had anything to do with her race or if it was intentionally set. “It’s just a lot of questions right now with no answers,” Powell said. Something definitely sounds shady about this “random” vicious attack. Thank goodness her son wasn’t home at the time. Photo Credit: WSBTV
GOP Congressman Joe Walsh Insults MLK With Racist Version Of “I Have A Dream” Speech Yesterday, we reported on one of the most disrespectful gestures towards a staple in African-American and Civil Rights history to date, where scumbag GOP Congressman Joe Walsh recited his own version of MLK’s iconic “I Have A Dream” speech and insulted single black mothers for having children out of wedlock, categorized black men as thugs and drug addicts, implied that black leaders are lazy and blame white people for the problems plaguing the African-American community and more Meanwhile, Walsh was reportedly sued by his ex-wife for not paying child support back in 2011 to the tune of more than $100,000 according to the Huffington Post . Aint that about a beyotch? Read the full version of his blatantly racist and stereotypical speech in its’ entirety below: via Huffington Post Walsh unleashed a line of racially charged comments, headed by his view that African Americans suffer from “dependency on the government plantation.” “Of all the commentators who have been asking whether King’s dream has been achieved, FOX News’ Juan Williams seems to be the only one with whom I agree. When asked by Chris Wallace if the dream has been fulfilled, Williams noted that there isn’t, “any question that [African Americans] have come along way,” before importantly pointing out that blacks have to address the problems that are created within their communities. “I think that if you look at the realities of today, you’ve got to talk about things like family breakdown,” Williams said. “You’ve got to talk about the fact that 70 percent of black children today are born out of wedlock. I think Dr. King would cry.” I agree with Juan, but instead of invoking King’s legacy to lament about present problems. I’ve decided to share my own dream: I have a dream that all black parents will have the right to choose where their kids attend school. I have a dream that all black boys and girls will grow up with a father. I have a dream that young black men will stop shooting other young black men. I have a dream that all young black men will say “no” to gangs and to drugs. I have a dream that all black young people will graduate from high school. I have a dream that young black men won’t become fathers until after they’re married and they have a job. I have a dream that young unmarried black women will say “no” to young black men who want to have sex . I have a dream that today’s black leadership will quit blaming racism and “the system” for what ails black America. I have a dream that black America will take responsibility for improving their own lives. I have a dream that one day black America will cease their dependency on the government plantation, which has enslaved them to lives of poverty, and instead depend on themselves, their families, their churches, and their communities.” Let us all stand together and give this racist azz, contradictive, hypocrite a strong, united ‘HO, SIT DOWN!’
Man Gets Visit From Secret Service For Racist Threat Against President Obama An eldery Maine man who posted a blatantly racist message to accompany one of his Facebook photos got an unexpected surprise when the Secret Service showed up on his door step. via Huffington Post A Maine man is in hot water over a Facebook post containing a news story about President Barack Obama and a racially-charged threat. The Portland Press Herald reported Tuesday that 68-year-old David Marsters is under investigation over an item posted last Friday on his personal page. The update in question included a link to a story about GOP lawmakers pursuing an Obama impeachment, and a comment from Marsters that read “Shoot the n*gg*r.” The Lewiston-Auburn Sun Journal added that Marsters’ Facebook post prompted a visit from Secret Service members. He was questioned for an hour at the local police station in Sabattus, Maine. “I think it’s a lot of hogwash,” Marsters told the Press-Herald. “I did not threaten the president … I might have used the wrong words … I didn’t say I was going to do it.” This is just outright disrespectful and racist. They definitely need to slap this old bum with a fine or something to make an example out of him. Photo Credit: The Bangor Daily News Continue reading →
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