Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Maaaaan, somebody's going to HELL!








There are people RIGHT NOW that are making a KILLING off this hurricane tragedy. I'm not a flame-throwing, bible-thumper by any means, but...

THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HELL!!













Gas prices have jumped up because people are saying that America has either 10 weeks of gasoline left or 10 DAYS of it left. I don't know if it's true or not, but if it is, THE SH*T'S GONNA THE FAN! Also, oil prices are reaching an unheard of level as well, hitting close to $70.00 A BARREL! Hell, some people are saying that Greensboro, NC may run out of gas by the end of the week!








Here's a blog from The Greensboro New & Record (by Mark Binker) on what Gov. Mike Easley has to say about gas prices:
http://blog.news-record.com/staff/capblog/archives/2005/08/gas.html

Also keep in mind that it's "Labor Day Weekend."

Rumors abound!

Sewage and dead bodies IN THE WATER are causing health hazards in "The Big Easy," but GASOLINE is what's on everyone's mind.

IMHO, there are people that KNOW we have enough gas on reserve, even though the "Gulf Region" hit is a MAJOR source of gasoline. They knew that Hurricane Katrina was coming, so I'm sure that they thought of contingency plans in case this would happen. Even with the damage, gas prices jumped to an unprecedented level, reaching over $6.00 PER GALLON IN ATLANTA! $6.07 to be exact! Hell, prices are over $3.00 in Greensboro ALONE!











"This was the price of gas today at 5 o'clock at the Sheetz station on Swing Road in Greensboro. I (meaning TVPhotoblog: http://tvphotogblog.blogspot.com/, courtesy of Greensboro101.com. http://www.greensboro101.com/) captured this image during the price change. The price jumped from $2.99 to $3.29."

I'm not against people making their money, but DAMN!!!

Hurricane Katrina: WHOA!!

Man, oh man, OH MAN!!!
















I must admit some ignorance to this development. I heard on the news a couple of days ago that Katrina was downgraded to a "tropical storm" after it hit Florida, and that the major damage was over with.

Boy, was I misinformed!

Hurricane Katrina hit w/ a wrath second only to God (Now you know why extreme weather patterns are called "Acts of God."). It was also one of the most powerful hurricanes to form and reach landfall, a "Category 5," I believe. You can go to this link to find out about the different categories of hurricanes:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art13018.asp










Not only was New Orleans, LA was affected (The city of N.O. is actually BELOW Sea Level. That's why they have levies, which were destroyed by the hurricane.), but almost ALL of the "Gulf States," including Mississippi (which was affected almost as bad as Louisana) and Alabama.

People don't have power (Keep in mind that it's still Summer-time.), either don't have water or can't use it (Which means that no one can drink H2O or use the toliets. In this hot weather.), lost their homes (rich or poor, Black or white), worrying about snakes and alligators in the putrid water (That's no joke, either), and are seeing dead bodies floating by (literally) as they try to stay alive.

Gasolines prices are also affected (I'll talk about that in a different post.), the damage to property is incalcuable, and panic is starting to reign supreme.














There's not too much to say about Katrina itself, except to pray for everyone that has been put out and died because of this horrifying event.









Damn...

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Damn, more Drama...



Well, if you haven't heard already, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) was FULL of DRAMA!

First of all, Fat Joe starts in on 50 Cent and G-Unit, ON STAGE! Then "Fiddy" goes off on Fat Joe onstage during a performance. Then Suge Knight gets shot in the leg at Kanye West's (big props to Kanye for his wins) After-Party and no one's talking about who did it and/or why.

Here are some links to the drama:

1) Fat Joe Fuels Rap War With 50 Cent At Angry VMA's:
http://aa.wrs.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ajs0vWzJ2VaAQtEo4Pv2ATtA3gt.;_ylu=X3oDMTA2bTQ0OXZjBHNlYwNzcg--/SIG=125b3a5kn/EXP=1125549348/**http://www.teenmusic.com/d.asp?r=105660

2) Suge Knight Says He Doesn't Walk in Fear:
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050830/ap/d8caavb02.html











Damn!

Why can't rappers just get along and make that damn money?

Monday, August 29, 2005

Some more Black History Info...
















Here's some more interesting "Black History" facts (even though it's August and not February) that you may want to chew on.

Check'em out!

===============================================


7) On Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a black seamstress, defied the law by refusing to give up her seat to a white man aboard a Montgomery, Ala., city bus. Parks was arrested, sparking a year-long boycott of the buses by blacks.

8) On Nov. 13, 1956, the Supreme Court struck down laws calling for racial segregation on public buses.

9) On Sept. 4, 1957, Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus called out the National Guard to prevent nine black students from entering Central High School in Little Rock.

10) On Sept. 25, 1957, with 300 United States Army troops standing guard, nine black children were escorted to Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, days after unruly white crowds had forced them to withdraw.

11) On Feb. 1, 1960, four black college students began a sit-in protest at a lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., where they'd been refused service. (AGGIE PRIIIIIDE!)

12) On May 20, 1961, a white mob attacked a busload of "Freedom Riders" in Montgomery, Ala., prompting the federal government to send in United States marshals to restore order.

===============================================

More to follow in the future...

Rims: Give me a break!

















I'm sorry, but if you have a car and your rims cost more than the total value of your car, then you're a DAMN FOOL!

Why do people need to "bling-bling" w/ fancy rims and such, then complain that they can't pay rent?

Or can't afford new clothes for the baby?

Or that gas is too high (even though it is)?

Or complain that fresh meat is too expensive?

PAY YOUR DAMN RENT BEFORE YOU BUY "FLY" RIMS!

Gimme a break...

Willie Lynch: Real or Imagined?







I was watching a movie today that I'll review later which addressed The Infamous "Willie Lynch Speech." I've read it before, but I thought I would post it here for those of you who have never seen and/or read it. Was William Lynch a real person? Did he really teach slaveowners how to control slaves in America?

Read on...

===============================================

Gentlemen:

I greet you here on the bank of the James River in the year of our lord, one thousand seven hundred and twelve. First , I shall thank you, the gentlemen of the of the colony of Virginia, for bringing me here. I am here to help you solve some of your problems with slaves. Your invitation reached me in my modest plantation in the West Indies where I have experimented with some of the newest and still the oldest method for control of slaves. Ancient Rome would envy us if my program is implemented.

As our boat sailed south on the James River, named for our illustrious KING JAMES, whose BIBLE we CHERISH, I saw enough to know that our problem is not unique. While Rome used cords or wood as crosses for standing human bodies along the old highways in great numbers, you are here using the tree and the rope on occasion.

I caught the whiff of a dead slave hanging from a tree a couple of miles back. You are losing valuable stock by hangings, you are having uprisings, slaves are running away, your crops are sometimes left in the fields too long for maximum profit, you suffer occasional fires, your animals are killed, Gentleman,...You know what your problems are; I do not need to elaborate. I am not here to enumerate your problems, I am here to introduce you to a method of solving them.

In my bag, I have a fool proof method for controlling your slaves. I guarantee everyone of you that if installed it will control the slaves for at least three hundred years.

My method is simple, any member of your family or any OVERSEER can use it. I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves, and I take these differences and make them bigger. I use FEAR, DISTRUST, and ENVY for control purposes.

These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies, and it will work throughout the SOUTH. Take this simple little list of differences and think about them.
On the top of my list is "AGE" but it is only there because it starts with an "A"; The second is "COLOR" or shade; there is INTELLIGENCE, SIZE, SEX, SIZE OF PLANTATION, ATTITUDE of owner, whether the slaves live in the valley, on a hill, east or west, north, south, have fine or coarse hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences, I shall give you an outline of action- but before that, I shall assure you that DISTRUST IS STRONGER THAN TRUST, AND ENVY IS STRONGER THAN ADULATION, RESPECT OR ADMIRATION.

The black slave, after receiving this indoctrination, shall carry on and will become self-refueling and self-generating for hundreds of years, maybe thousands.

Don't forget you must pitch the old black VS. the young black males, and the young black male against the old black male. You must use the dark skinned slaves VS. the light skin slaves. You must use the female VS the male, and the male VS, the female. You must always have your servants and OVERSEERS distrust all blacks, but it is necessary that your slaves trust and depend on us.

Gentlemen, these kits are your keys to control, use them. Never miss an opportunity. My plan is guaranteed, and the good thing about this plan is that if used intensely for one year the slave will remain perpetually distrustful.

-WILLIAM LYNCH-1772


==============================================

Now many within and outside of The Black Community debate to this day whether or not Willie Lynch actually existed. My feeling is this: With the state of some segments of The Black Community and with the hard truths of this speech that are effecting Black America today, does it really matter?

LET'S END THIS DESTRUCTIVE CYCLE...

NOW!!!

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

More positive Black Blogs...











Once again, courtesy of "Black Ambition" (http://www.blackambition.blogspot.com/), are a few links to some positive Black (or for the politically-correct, "African-American.") blogs out there.

==============================================

1) This one is to "The Blog Directory of African-American blogs," a list of the many positive Black Blogs in the web:

http://sisterstalk.com/blackblogs/links.php

2) This one is to "The Black Bloggers Association," a website of Black news, events, and blogs:

http://blacklogs.com/

3) And this one is to a website list made up of mainly Black Women blogs:

http://www.ringsurf.com/netring?action=info&ring=blogsbybw

=============================================

Check'em out and be enlightened!

Thanks, "Black Ambition"...

Things Republicans Believe...







I got a kick off this entry from "Black Ambition's" blog (http://www.blackambition.blogspot.com/). The original link is here:

http://blackambition.blogspot.com/2005/08/this-made-me-laugh-things-republicans.html

And I reprinted the section below. It's only satire, so don't get anal (I meant that for the haters!).

Enjoy!

===============================================

Things Republicans Believe (satire):

1. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is a solid defense policy

2. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

3. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's driving record is none of our business.

4. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s and John Kerry did in the 1970s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

5. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

6. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

7. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican.

8. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

9. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.

10. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multinational corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

11. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.

===========================================

The Republicans, especially the anal-retentive conservatives (And NO, I'm not a tree-huggin' liberal) REALLY needs to LOOSEN UP...

Monday, August 22, 2005

"Out-of-Control" Gas Prices...





If you guys think that gas prices will go down in the future, well...

FORGET ABOUT IT!!

Now that the major oil companies KNOW that they can get this kind of money out of the people, these high prices will STAY THE WAY THEY ARE!

They say that the avergae price for a barrel of oil is around $65.00 and the oil companies are making around 50% PROFIT of oil now.

$65.00 a barrel?

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=53720272/K=price+of+barrel+of+oil/v=2/SID=e/l=NSR/R=2/SIG=1312g1371/EXP=1124852036/*-http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050822/ap_on_bi_ge/oil_prices_4

50% Profit?!!

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=53720272/K=profit+of+oil+companies/v=2/SID=e/l=NSR/R=1/SIG=12b2kg37o/EXP=1124852448/*-http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/2261

That means if one of the major oil companies make say, 3 Billion Dollars ($3,000,000,000.00) in revenue, almost 1.5 Billion Dollars ($1,500,000,000.00) will got into their pockets.

AFTER TAXES.













And I thought that "The Iraq War" was supposed to LOWER oil and gas prices...

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Hopes & Prayers to Mrs. Coretta Scott King...


Coretta Scott King, the widow of Slain Black Leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, has had a debilitating stroke. The prognosis doens't look good. She'll live, but severely restricted in what she can do (at least for now). Hopes & Prayers go out to Mrs. King and her family.

Some info links:

1) The King Center in Atlanta, GA:
http://www.thekingcenter.org/tkc/index.asp

2) Coretta Scott King is mostly paralyzed:
http://rds.yahoo.com/S=53720272/K=coretta+scott+king/v=2/SID=e/l=NSR/R=1/SIG=13a5k8f22/EXP=1124687443/*-http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050820/ap_on_re_us/coretta_scott_king_13

3) Coretta Scott King facing 'a lot of rehab':
http://rds.yahoo.com/S=53720272/K=coretta+scott+king/v=2/SID=e/l=NSR/R=2/SIG=13e4rcscf/EXP=1124687443/*-http://www.oxfordpress.com/featr/content/shared/news/nation/stories/08/19CORETTA_KING.html






Mrs. Coretta Scott King in Jan, 2004...

One Man CAN make a Difference...







This ONE guy, Morgan Spurlock, caused a mega-corporation to change (at least partially) the way they do business. He caused "Mickey D's" to cancel the "Super-Size" option on ALL of their menus.


WORLDWIDE.



Anyone who wants to know how he did it can go check out his award-winning documentary, "Super Size Me!" at the doc's website here:

http://www.supersizeme.com/home.aspx

















He also has a new book out (I'm half-way through it) called, "Don't Eat This Book," which takes you where the doc stops. I highly recommend it. The book's website is here:

http://www.donteatthisbook.com/












He also has a new show called, "30 Days" which Morgan and others goes through various situations similar to what he did in "Super Size Me!" that's on The FX cable network. I believed that the show averaged 1.4 million viewers per episode.

Damn.

He even has his own blog (courtesy of Indiewire.com) that's located here:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/morganspurlock/

Go check him out, and when someone tells you that you can't make a difference, remember Morgan Spurlock.

Postive Black Blogs...


It's been hard finding Black bloggers period, not to mention one's that are positive and enlightening. In fact, most of the Black blogger have found ME! LOL!

Here's one by Jerry McClough. I actually met him (Imagine that, actually MEETING a fellow blogger in "the real world" instead of just online.) during "The Community Cookout" over on Phillips Ave. over a month or so ago. His blog is here, so check it out:

http://triadblogs.com/jmcclough/

Another one is from a blog called, "Black Ambition." Nice, positive Black site (as oppsed to many of the rap videos that you now see. Damn BET!) that focuses on fatherhood & The Black Community. Go check it out here:

http://www.blackambition.blogspot.com/

Another one is by Cynthia Daniels that goes over a variety of subjects and has links to many other Black blogs out there. Her blog is here:

http://cdaniels225.blogspot.com/

Go check'em out and be enlightened.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Did you ever have the feeling that...

YOU'RE BEING WATCHED?!


That's what many of the people who were there felt like when GPD essentially "locked down" The "Stop the Violence" Cookout on Sunday, July 31, 2005 FOR NO GOOD REASON!

C'mon fellas, did you really need RIOT GEAR for the little kids? This isn't Iraq and the people in "The Black Community" aren't a bunch of Iraqi insurgents.

What were you thinking?

How would y'all like it if someone... anyone, rolled up into YOUR neighborhood in ALL -BLACK and in RIOT GEAR? It's a shame that y'all didn't have all of that stuff during The KKK Shootout, or as the rest of the country knows it, "The Greensboro Massacre" back in '79.

And NO, I'm not a commie (I like that $$$ too much!)!

Think about it...

Monday, August 15, 2005

The Boondocks: Outrageous!!
















Y'all have to check out this comic. It's called, "The Boondocks" and it's a "must read." It's political as Hell and it's funny! Huey Freeman and his "thug" little brother Riley are a damn trip! I get my daily dose of "The Boondocks" here at Ucomics.com.

Here's the link:
http://www.ucomics.com/boondocks/

It needs to be in "The Greensboro News & Record," but I doubt that they would have the courage to print it. It's IS however, printed weekly in the local paper edition of "The Carolina Peacemaker." Aaron McGruder, the creator of "The Boondocks," really knows how to "lay it down!"

Go check it out!!















Aaron McGruder, with his creations

Sunday, August 14, 2005

The "Stop the Violence Cookout" Fiasco...

Something's fishy, and I don't mean "Charlie the Tuna"...

By now, many of you have in Greensboro, NC have heard about the low turnout of the annual "Stop the Violence" Cookout a couple of Sundays ago (July 31). I've been to a few of these rallies and it was ALWAYS packed & ALWAYS peaceful. The word is there were over 80 COPS (not the 42 that have been reported) in RIOT GEAR ready to "get down" at the drop of a hat. There were also fire trucks, an ambulance on stand-by, and the streets were blocked off from the location over at Sussman St. Park (right next to The Hampton Homes Projects), effectively killing this always-peaceful cookout.

The GPD basically had the park locked down at a tremendous cost to the city (reportedly between $10,000.00 - $15,000.00).

There were more cops than PEOPLE THERE!!

Why?

If The GPD have beef w/ Timothy X, then so be it, but don't ruin the cookout for everybody else. It's been going on for over 8 years now and NOBODY has EVER been injured at one of these cookouts! It has been reported that Councilwoman Diane Bellamy-Smalls was the one who requested all of those cops. If that's true, don't expect to be re-elected come this fall, Diane! I know that you're already in trouble, politically!

It's truly a f#cked up situation. People go there to eat and have fun, much like the "Kut Kreations" Barbershop's "Community Cookout" on Phillips Ave. this year. Nothing but good food, good music, and great times.

Here's a link to the story, courtesy of local Black weekly newspaper, "The Carolina Peacemaker":
http://www.carolinapeacemaker.com/News/search/Article_Search.asp?NewsID=60393&sID=4

This type of sh*t needs to stop!

LEAVE BLACK FOLKS ALONE!!

R.I.P.: John H. Johnson: Ebony Magazine Mogul...


A great man has passed recently...

John H. Johnson, founder of "Ebony" magazine has passed after a long and adventurous life that lasted 87 years. With $500.00 he received from his mother as a loan, he created a privately-held, self-made juggernaut called The Johnson Publishing Company that's worth in excess of $500,000,000.00.

Damn.

When people said he couldn't, he said, "Watch me." What else can be said for such a giant in the Black business community?

Here's the website to his company:
http://www.johnsonpublishing.com/assembled/home.html

Here are some articles links that will attempt to sum up his life:

1) http://rds.yahoo.com/S=53720272/K=John+H.+Johnson,+Ebony+Magazine/v=2/SID=e/l=NSR/R=7/SIG=129juebt4/EXP=1124168050/*-http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050809/obit_johnson.html?.v=2

2) http://rds.yahoo.com/S=53720272/K=John+H.+Johnson,+Ebony+Magazine/v=2/SID=e/l=NSR/R=9/SIG=12b3fjgjk/EXP=1124168050/*-http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/3301700

3) http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=1021153&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

John H. Johnson:
1/19/18 - 8/8/05

















He will be sorely missed.

Some Black History Info...


To me, "Black History" is every month, not just in February.

Here's alittle factoid: "Black History Month" wasn't picked to be in February because it's the shortest month of the year, as some people have claimed. It originally started out as a week-long celebration of Black (or for the "politically-correct" out there, "African-American") achievement. It was started by Historian Dr. Carter Woodson in 1926 for the week starting on President Abraham Lincoln's Birthday (2/12) and ending on Abolitionist Frederick Douglass's Birthday (2/20). From there, it gradually became a month-long celebration.

Now that I told you how it started, here's some fun "Black History Info" that I'll be writing in the blog ever now and again. Many of these quotes I received from "The New York Times" daily newsletter. For some more info on "Black History," check out this website here: www.blackhistory.com

Black History Tidbits:

1) On March 6, 1857, in its Dred Scott decision, the Supreme Court held that Scott, a slave, could not sue for his freedom in a federal court.

2) On Sept. 22, 1862, President Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in rebel states should be free as of Jan. 1, 1863.

3) On Jan. 31, 1865, the House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery.

4) On Feb. 25, 1870, Hiram R. Revels, R-Miss., became the first Black member of the United States Senate as he was sworn in to serve out the unexpired term of Jefferson Davis.

5) On April 10, 1947, Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey announced he had purchased the contract of Jackie Robinson from the Montreal Royals.

6) On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court issued its landmark Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka ruling, which declared that racially segregated public schools were inherently unequal.

=============================================

More to come in the future!

Crime & The 21st Century Negro...


Hey, folks. Here's another one of my articles that I wrote and was originally printed in "The Community & Crime Report" a few years ago. It's still relevant today as it was when I first wrote it.

This is for all of the people that think crime & jail are "cool."

Check it out...

============================================

"CRIME & THE 21ST CENTURY NEGRO"

by: Ken B.

I know what you're thinking: "What is with this 'Negro' crap?"

Allow me to explain.

We all know that crime exists and it seems to be getting worse every day. In addition, we've always seen "The 21st Century" as "The Future", like the book and movie, "2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY". As for the "Negro" part, the tern "Negro" was a designation that African-Americans (Blacks) were called back in the 1940's through the early 1960's.

Well you know something?

The future is NOW!

The new millenium is here and staring us in the face, saying "Now what?" Despite living in "The 21st Century," many Black folks in America are still being stereotyped by an outdated and racist mode of thinking of Blacks being the primary perpetrators of crime in this country. Thus the conundrum of "The 21st Century Negro," looking toward the prospects of the future while being trapped in the past with a backward and ignorant mentality focused on him/her. During The Clinton Administration, more Black men were incarcerated than ever before. More brothers are in some way connected with the criminal justice system than in higher institutions of learning.

Why is this so?

During "The Clinton Years," this economy was part of the greatest bull market in history, but America has one of the largest prison populations (mostly people of color) on Earth. It seems that "The Powers That Be" in America has been working overtime in their commitment in keeping this country in "The Stone Age" regarding crime and race.

Now, am I saying that ALL Black men have been unjustly imprisoned?

No.

Some people of any color or creed need to be locked up. Nevertheless, why is the prison population close to majority Black when Black men represent only a small percentage of Americans in general? Does this mean that Black men are predisposed to criminal activity?

HELL NO!!

So why the disproportionate numbers then? Well, it's a known fact that racial-profiling exists (And has gotten worse with the so-called "Patriot Act.") and that many Blacks have been on the receiving end of this blatantly racist tactic, myself included. In my humble opinion, destroying racial-profiling would be a big step in the right and just direction.

Now, I'm not here to talk about the false imprisonment of Blacks, that's another article, entirely. I'm talking about the relentless targeting of Blacks by certain elements of law enforcement. If you focus on one part of the population while being lax on another part of the population, well of course you're going to have an inordinate amount of people from the group being overly targeted!

That's common sense!

Some people in law enforcement and the judicial system still think that Blacks are inherently criminal and are the focus of criminal investigations because of this. Granted, if some Blacks are committing crimes then they should be properly punished. BUT, if you concentrate just on Blacks and glance over what other ethnic groups are doing, are you preventing further criminal behavior?

No!

You're letting one group of people feel that they can get away with almost anything if they blame it on Blacks. Anyone remember Susan Smith and Charles Stewart? Both of these scumbags blamed Black men for the crimes that they themselves committed:

Charles Stewart, who heartlessly murdered his wife and UNBORN CHILD (shades of Scott Peterson) for the insurance money, then cowardly killed himself.

And Susan Smith, who mercilessly drowned her two young sons in a lake AS SHE WATCHED merely because her then-boyfriend stated that he "didn't want kids". The problem isn't that they blamed Black men for their atrocities. The tragedy lies in the fact that they were so easily and eagerly believed!

What's up with that?!

Unfortunately, some Black men buy into the disinformation that they are natural-born criminals. Some brothers think that committing crime is "fun" and going to jail is "cool".

FUN?!

COOL?!

That's bullsh*t!

Do you know what jail and prison is to The Black Man?

MODERN-DAY SLAVERY!

Nothing more, nothing less. Prison officials tell you when to eat, sleep, exercise, bathe, and even have sex for the few penal institutions that allow conjugal visits. That is, unless you plan to have unprotected sex with a fellow inmate (Called "On The Down Low," which by the way, is one of the main reasons that Black women are the largest group contracting HIV.)

There's even a thriving, recession-proof prison industry that is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Prisons where inmates are paid lower wages than Third-World Country workers are while the prison complex grows wealthy. Prisons where "rehabilitation" is an old, tired joke and inmates actually learn to become better criminals!

It's unbelievable that some Black men actually think that they're "cool" or "hard" just because they've been incarcerated! Moreover, if you're a Black man who hasn't been in the penal system, you're considered "soft"!

Incredible!

Well in truth, most of the Black men that I've talked to whom have been incarcerated say that it's the worst place on Earth to be in. Hopefully, both types of attitudes concerning crime and race will change in the new millenium.

I sincerely hope so.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Baseball & Steroids...




I know that this might sound weird, but I really don't care about the so-called "Steroid Scandal" in baseball.

Why?

Because when you expect players to perform beyond normal human limitations and then GET those superhuman results from them, people have the nerve to get mad because they're using drugs to enhance their performance. Is it messed up that many players are taking 'roids, which can be dangerous to the human body? Yeah, or course it is. Is it messed up that "All-American Boy" Marc McGuire took 'roids to make his new record? Yep.

But here's my thing...

Don't just go after the players, also go after the ENABLERS WHO ALLOW IT! If you don't go after them, then how can you go after the players? Human Beings have their physical limits, so every time you expect a player to break a record, play longer, play harder, what do you expect him to do? Working out can only help you so much when everybody expects you to have a big "S" on your chest and a red cape.

THEY ARE ONLY HUMAN!!

People have said that the 'roid-using players have disgraced and ruined the "national pastime" by "cheating" the fans, but that's bullsh#t. You wanna know what REALLY ruined baseball in particular and pro sports in general?

MONEY!!

All of those multi-million dollar salaries and billion dollar owners have screwed up pro sports. Much like when someone gets mad at a college player for taking money, then slaps him on the back and kiss his ass for getting a $10,000,000.00 signing bonus when he finally goes pro. But no one is gonna talk about that.

Talk about mixed messages...


Monday, August 08, 2005

Grillin' & Chillin' in NC...


This Sunday afternoon was a good day. There's nothing like firing up the grill and drinkin' a few cold brewskis w/ your friends to make you appreciate life. You'd be amazed at the conversations that come into being between burgers and brew. Real meaningful, political subject matter (meaningful at least, after a few beers, LOL). It's gettin' hot as Hell in NC, so I'm sure there are more BBQs to come even before the summer ends.

Cookouts: American as Apple Pie & Budweizer (though I drink Michelob & Icehouse!)!

Sunday, August 07, 2005

MY OPINION... by: Ken B.

For those of you who didn't know, I have a talk show on Cable 8 (the public access station in Greensboro) called: "MY OPINION"... by: Ken B., that comes on every Monday night @ 11:00 PM. It used to be on Tuesdays, but the local churches took over my old time slots. The show subject matter ranges from different topics and subjects to non-fiction documentaries to my "Brain Trust," a roundtable discussion on various issues. Check it out when you get a chance, It'll be on tonight.

This blog stuff...

I'm still pretty new to this "blogging universe" so bear with me. There's so much stuuf out there to write about, but time is a limitation (gotta work and pay the bills, ya know), especially with other stuff I'm doing and/or trying to do. If anyone has any news you'd like to share, leave a comment on my blog and I'll see what I can do for ya!

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Terrorism & Civil Rights...


Whatzup, y'all. Here's a lil' diddy I wrote soon after the event of "911." It first appeared in the now-defunct "Community & Crime News," which was the reincarnated version of "The Crime & Community Report." With The P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act (Yes, this is how it's REALLY spelled.) close to renewal, I thought that I should put this up.

Check it out...

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TERRORISM AND CIVIL RIGHTS

by: Ken B.


SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: A date that will forever be etched into America's soul. To me, 9/11/01 marked my eleven-year anniversary of living in Greensboro, NC. Unfortunately, it means so much more now. It's a day that EVERYONE will remember precisely what they were doing when they either heard or saw the tragic news as it happened on live TV early that Tuesday morning. "911" also signifies something else: The slow dismantlement of civil liberties and rights in America.

I know that to some, this may be an unusual forum to present my opinion on this subject. But to me, it couldn't be more perfect. "The Community & Crime News" concerns itself with the blatant disregard of civil liberties that the alleged offenders perpetrate against their victims. After all, an earlier incarnation of "The Community & Crime News" stated that crime, particularly murder, is the ultimate violation of civil rights. Well, I'm here to talk about the government's attack on civil liberties in America because of the brutal and cowardly attack perpetrated on 9/11/01.

In order to separate the "good guys" from the "bad guys", we must not allow our rights as Americans and as Human Beings to be trampled on in the name of "security". Through the acts of religiously fanatical scum, we are letting some of the most basic tenets of "The American Way" slip away without so much as a decibel of protest.

For instance, the tenets of "attorney-client privilege" are some of the oldest and most sacred rights in America. Now, I know what you're thinking: "DAMN THE TERRORISTS RIGHTS! THEY SHOULD BE SHOT AND BURN IN HELL!" I agree with the sentiment, but the revised law now states that anyone "suspected" of terrorism can't talk to their lawyer without the conversation being overheard and/or taped.

The word, "suspected," worries me.

It means that all law enforcement need to do is "suspect" you of a crime without any corroborating evidence. Can I ask you a question: What is a terrorist and what does one look like?
Once again, I know what you're thinking: "Well Ken, you know, it's them people over in the Middle East. You know, Muhammad Allah-whatchamacallit." (The people who did the heinous acts of terrorism actually were living in the US and were doing so for years. They just didn't come over.)

Not all terrorists are Islamic extremists or looks like Osama bin Laden, just ask Timothy McVeigh. (Oops, I forgot, you can't because he was executed for HIS act of terrorism, and rightfully so.) Because of "911" racial-profiling is not just "in vogue" again, but is official policy now. (Not that it ever went away in the first place.) What if you're a proud American, but just happen to be a Muslim? Well, they're getting a lot of the crap that Black folks still get, as far as harassment and bigoted racial-profiling is concerned (I'm just glad that the terrorists weren't Black. Whew!!).

Let me give you an example of the erosion of your civil rights. Let's say you work with a person who so happens to be named Abdullah, and he so happens to be a Muslim. You've known him for years and are on a friendly basis. Let's say that the government "suspects" him of "acts of terrorism" based on racial-profiling only. No proof, just "suspicions." Well, since they're going after him and they know that you and Abdullah are friendly, guess who's next on the list?

That's right, YOU!

However, you haven't done anything wrong so why arrest you? "Suspicion," remember? No fact, No hard evidence, Hell, no CIRCUMSTANTIAL evidence, just "suspicion."

Now since I'm such a talented "mind reader," on the scale of Professor Xaivier of "The X-Men," I know what you're thinking: "Well Ken, I just won't have any Muslim and/or Middle-Eastern friends, or anyone that looks like one. That will solve everything, right?"

WRONG!

What if someone that is "suspected" of terrorism (Religious-affiliation and ethnicity unimportant) gives law enforcement YOUR name so that he/she can protect his/her own people? Just pulls your name out of the phone book or a mailing list in order to throw off The Feds?

That's YOU’RE ASS!

Although you have done NOTHING WRONG, obey the law, and pay your taxes. Similar situations have occurred like this long before "911". Think about it... Remember Kemba Smith?

In Conclusion, I'm an advocate of, "YOU DO THE CRIME, YOU DO THE TIME", but to be "suspected" of a crime is no reason to disregard "The Constitution" or "The Bill of Rights." The government has already stated that Because of "911" and other vague "terrorist threats" against the US that they regularly scan phone conversations and track were you go on The Internet (Something that its been doing long before on the "DL".) for any "suspicious" activity.

What defines "suspicious" activity?

Is logging onto an Islamic website "suspicious"? Will I be a "suspect" if I log onto www.islam.org? (I consider myself a "Christian-in-progress", by the way, Baptist by faith.) Too many courageous citizens, Black and White, short and tall, young and old have perished fighting to preserve our constitutional rights that we take for granted and our way of life. Don't let the acts of conniving and cowardly terrorists or the government's overzealousness in combating terrorism destroy our most precious civil rights and liberties, or else all of the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives fighting for those rights would have died in vain.
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Not bad, huh?

Here's a couple of quotes I'm gonna leave ya with.

Dwell on them...


"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."
Abraham Lincoln, (attributed), 16th president of US (1809 - 1865)

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it."
Mark Twain

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

The Lies that Crack told...


Here's an article I wrote a few years ago (in 2001 to be exact) in the now-defunct "Crime & Community Report." It's still relevant now, so I decided to post it hear. Check it out...

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"THE LIES THAT CRACK TOLD"

by: Ken B.

It is everywhere: in the city, in the suburbs, and in the country. It dwells among the power elite, as well as the dregs of society. It entices, it invites, and it corrupts and destroys everything in the path: Crack. Crack is like The Devil in the Holy Bible. Satan doesn't MAKE you do anything; it tricks you and lies to you with fables and half-truths. Think about it: Did Satan shove the apple down Adam's throat?

No.

As the serpent in The Garden of Eden, it whispered in Eve's ear, telling her the power she and Adam would receive if they took a bite. It told Eve of the vast knowledge it would gain by having just a sample of the apple, although it was FORBIDDEN to do so by God himself. Satan never told Eve of the consequences of tasting the fruit.

Crack is the same way.

For the user, crack allows them to "take the pain away," to give them the power to forget their problems and to experience "Nirvana," in essence, the "Ultimate High." For the seller, it lulls them into a false sense of security. It affords them the ability to make piles of cash and to finally become "The Man." All lies, sort of. Crack will give you a high that few have ever experienced, for a price (and I'm not talking about the dollar value of crack, either).

Just like Adam and Eve, once they had tasted the knowledge of the forbidden fruit and were cast out of The Garden of Eden and lost their idealic way of life and their immortality, so does the "crackhead" lose all sense of morality and self-respect. The crackhead, in the insatiable need to regain their first high, will go to any (and I do mean ANY) lengths to achieve it again and fail miserably.

The crack dealer, in some ways, has it worse that the crackhead. How? Well, it's difficult but not improbable for the crackhead to overcome his/her addiction and become a productive element of society. The crack dealer, however, becomes more of an addict than the crackhead for one reason...

MONEY

Once a person gets used to the money from crack "sales," it's almost impossible to give up the lifestyle that one maintains when one is "slangin' ". Think about it: Could you go from making hundreds or even thousands of dollars a week to working at McDonald's? From wearing the tightest gear and sporting the phattest "bling-bling" to putting on a janitors' uniform for minimum wage? What do you put down on a job application, Former Occupation: Drug Dealer?

I don't think so.

Once you get a taste of "the good life," it's hard as Hell to give it up, and that's not even the worst lie that crack tells the dealer! Crack convinces the dealer that he/she is untouchable when he/she is very touchable indeed. What's going to happen when a drug deal goes bad? What will be the end result when the cops and/or Feds come busting through the windows and doors "SWAT-style?" What lie will crack tell then? What protection will a FUBU shirt and SEAN JOHN jean jacket bought with crack money do against a cop with a helmet and a bulletproof vest? What good will a 9mm handgun do against a government-trained DEA agent with an AK-47? Will crack tell you that you're invincible then?

"The Crack Lie" is hardest on "people of color," i.e. Blacks and Latinos. That's because a disproportionate number of "people of color" are poor and see slangin' as a way out. People are doing FED TIME when they are caught slangin'! That means that you're doing ALL OF YOUR TIME! No negotiating with the state anymore, you're going to do mandatory minimums for narcotic possession and/or distribution.

That's no bullsh*t!

Crack tells the dealer that it will take them out of poverty and put them in that mansion on the hill. Wrong! What crack doesn't tell you is that if you actually get that mansion (and very few do) that you had better explain to the IRS how in Hell you paid for it when you don't have a job. Trust me, if I had a choice between The Mafia chasing me or The Feds/IRS, I'd pick The Mob, because the IRS is more tenacious than they are when it comes to getting its cut of your money. Even if you put your possessions in someone else's name, such as your Mom's, how is Mama going to the tax man how she was able to afford that 2001 Lexus when she works on the line at K & W Cafeteria?

You have to understand something about the Government: It's a machine. A machine that never runs out of money, time, or resources. Don't believe me? Keep in mind that the Government, with the help of Kenneth Starr, spent more than fifty million dollars to prove that a sitting president had oral sex performed on him by an intern.

You know what the biggest lie that crack ever told the addicts and the dealers? It's, " That as long as we're together, you'll have everything that your heart desires." Well, for a short time, it does. To the addict, it gives them an unforgettable (unfortunately for them) high. To the dealer, it gives them the cash to do and to buy whatever they want. What crack doesn't tell them is the high price that they will pay, eventually. Sometimes it's the loss of self-respect, when the addict, particularly, but NOT LIMITED TO women, is offering fellatio for $5.00 to $10.00 on a street corner or alleyway.

Alternatively, for the dealer when he/she becomes the addict and gets high on his/her own supply, therefore becoming his/her best customer? Sometimes it's incarceration, when the addict is arrested for stealing from their neighbors and the dealer is nailed in an undercover sting operation. Sometimes, more often than not, the ultimate price is "Paid in Full,"

DEATH

In closing, the bottom line is that crack doesn't give a damn about you, if you're a dealer or a buyer. Still want to believe the lies that crack tells you?

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Not bad, huh?

More articles to come...

Monday, August 01, 2005

The KKK & The Communists in Greensboro...

I have alittle something to say about what's going on w/ the T & R Committee and what happened back in Nov. 1979.

First of all, the KKK is a DOMESTIC TERRORIST ORGANIZATION!! DEAL WITH IT!!

And don't give me this crap about "freedom of speech" or "southern heritage." What they did back in '79 (and other stuff as well) on LIVE TV NO LESS is a travesty and a blight on the rep of G'boro.

But then again, G'boro IS the place where the modern "Sit-In" Movement started because some ignorant people (both White AND Black) thought it was OK for Blacks to COOK the food @ Woolworth, but not to EAT it in the same place. Right in the heart of Downtown G'boro on Elm St.

Secondly, the communists haven't done a DAMN THING for Black folks, EVER!! As the Late Dr. John Henrik Clarke once said, "The wanted Blacks to trade one oppressive system for another."

Sorry y'all, I like making that money too much (Not more than I love God, of course!) to be down w/ a hypocritical system that wanted to put Blacks under their thumb. Why didn't The WVO have that march in a WHITE neighborhood since most of them WERE White? Why come to the projects? And if you're chanting "Kill the Klan!", you best be ready TO REPRESENT! That's why The KKK will never start the so-called "race war." Black folks of today aren't gonna take that sh#t. (The best time to have started the "race war" would have been right after the "Civil" War. Oh well...)

You wanna see what communism does, check out Russia (the new Mafiacracy), Cuba, and China. Even China is trying to "make that dolo" now. (And the mega-corporation are salivating to get in China as well. 1 billion potential customers and a source of cheap labor causing Americans to use their jobs.)

Should have members of The KKK gone to prison for what they did back in '79?

HELL YEAH!!

Should The WVO and Rev. Nelson Johnson started something that they weren't prepared to finish? NO! (I heard from "Old School" Black folks who were here then that Rev. Johnson ducked and ran instead of fighting and standing his ground during that time.)

What do The T&R Committee want? Recognition? Well, I recognize you and I feel your pain. People shouldn't have been murdered that day. But, if you wanna start a war w/ a domestic terrorist organization, you better be ready to go to war FOR REAL!

As for all of those racists that did those cross-burnings in Durham earlier this year, telling so-called "gangbangers" to "watch their back," I give you the same advice:

"Don't start a war you're not prepared to fight."

The one thing that would unite Black folks would be for y'all to do that type sh#t! YOU WILL LOSE!!

I know that you wanna go after ALL Black folks, but YOU DON'T WANNA GO THERE, BELIEVE ME!! You wanna know why?

BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GONNA MARCH, BABY!!!


Sermon over, for now...

Tom & Katie? Tom & Brooke? Tom & Scarlett?

I've come to the conclusion that Tom Cruise is just PLAIN CRAZY!! All of that ass-kissing he gets in Hollywood has finally gone to his head. Ego is something else. Read my lil' blurb below for my thought on "Tommy Boy"

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Is it just me, or am I the only one who finds the impending nuptials of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes just alittle strange? I mean, I have nothing against love @ first sight, but DAMN!! They were only together for 7 WEEKS before he proposed!

And what's up w/ Tom trying to recruit Scarlett Johannson to his religion? (This just after talking junk about Brooke Shields and her postpartum depression after having her daughter, Rowan.) Though I must admit it took guts for her to walk out on a meeting w/ Tom and his people.

Then Tom flips out On Matt Lauer while promoting his new flick! Like Tom's the expert on the ways of the mind and body.

First, Michael Jackson is cleared of child-molestation charges, then Mike Tyson punks out of a prize fight in front of thousands, now Tom & Brooke & Scarlett & Katie.

It's a crazy world out there...

Can I get a refund?