CNN Susan Rogerson Missreporting Of Jena 6 Issue Fuels Racial Tension

I'm watching CNN, and Susan Rogerson tells me that I'm supposed to feel soory for Justin Barker -- the white student who was beaten up after racially taunting Black students in Jena, Louisiana, and attended a social function after supposedly being beaten so hard.

She says "What about him?" WHAT? Is CNN nuts? Look, this story started because a Black student wanted to sit under a tree supposedly just for White students -- which is totally crazy itself. Then when he did, White students hung nooses on the tree. Black students were beaten up by White students -- but charges never filed.

Now, I've got to hear CNN's Rogerson talk about this idiot like he's the victim, and then hear this racist Jena D.A. down there back him? Come on! Racism is a mental illness, and that town's got a problem.

Jena's a nutso place it seems. But CNN's fueling racial tensions by the way it's reporting the issue. For a totally great explanation of what happened down there, watch this video:

Barack Obama's Statements On Jena 6 - Jesse Jackson Jr. Helped Obama

Barack Obama Statements on Jena 6

CHICAGO, IL – U.S. Senator Barack Obama released the following three statements on the Jena 6.

September 19, 2007 | Obama Statement on the Jena 6
"Outrage over an injustice like the Jena 6 isn't a matter of black and white. It's a matter of right and wrong. We should stand as one nation in opposition to this and any injustice. That’s why I’ve previously spoken out and demanded fairness in the Jena 6 case. That's why I've fought against injustice as a civil rights attorney and public official, and why I'll continue to fight to heal the wounds of division in our nation as president. My statements on Jena 6 were carefully thought out with input and support from one of my National Campaign Chairmen, U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr."

September 14, 2007 | Obama Statement on the Jena 6
"I am pleased that the Louisiana state appeals court recognized that the aggravated battery charge brought in this case was inappropriate. I hope that today's decision will lead the prosecutor to reconsider the excessive charges brought against all the teenagers in this case. And I hope that the judicial process will move deliberately to ensure that all of the defendants will receive a fair trial and equal justice under the law."

September 10, 2007 | Obama Demands Fairness in Jena 6 Case
"When nooses are being hung in high schools in the 21st century, it's a tragedy. It shows that we still have a lot of work to do as a nation to heal our racial tensions. This isn't just Jena's problem; it's America's problem."
"There are a number of signs that the system is not working in this case. It's a problem when criminal charges are brought against some students for fighting, but not others. It's a problem when a public defender doesn't call any witnesses. And it's a problem when a prosecutor decides to try teenagers as adults for a school fight, a charge that could leave them in jail for the majority of their lives. That is why I join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in calling on the judge to consider all the relevant factors and calling on the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges brought in this case. And I, along with other members of the CBC, will continue to monitor this case closely."
"Going forward, we have to fix our criminal justice system. Whether it's Jena 6 or Genarlow Wilson, it's long past time for us to admit that we have more work to do to ensure that our criminal justice system is fair. We must ensure that both victims and defendants can receive equal justice under the law, regardless of race, wealth, or other circumstances."

Bionic Woman On Comcast On Demand - Saw It

I just saw Bionic Woman on Comcast OnDemand. Click on this -- Bionic Woman -- to read my review of the pilot episode.

Bionic Woman - Just Saw It; Michelle Ryan's Intense

I just found and watched NBC's new program Bionic Woman on Comcast ondemand. First, it's good actually great and intense. It has a lot of characters that are well intervoven. The trouble is that it moves too fast -- so fast that scenes that need more time to unfold to have real meaning last in seconds.

The version I saw is without commercials, so I thought maybe I was "fooled" by a shorter version. But then I thought of the Star Trek episode "Balance of Terror" and it seemed longer than the Bionic Woman even though they're both about 35 minutes of screen time.

The "problem" is the Bionic Woman's so rich with story, scenes, people, and tech that you want to taste a scene, only each one's too small a bite to enjoy. That's a problem the writers and Dave Eick, it's producer, have to work on. It's a nice problem to have.



Overall, I did enjoy Bionic Woman. It's not anythng like the Bionic Woman I remember as a kid. This is much darker and has subplots that you beg to be unraveled right then. For example, who's the Russian guy who seems to be Katie Sackhoff / Sarah Corvus's love interest and likes to sew his arm with string? (An apparent signal that this is some kind of bionic man?)

The special effects are a seemless part of the story -- no sound effects. The fight scene between Jamie Sommers and Sarah Corvus is very well done and includes one really cool and real-looking action scene where Jamie throws Sarah like she's a sack of trash.

What about Jamie's bartender life? How can she handle it and work for the organization that re-built her? And how can she make love to her boyfriend Will without harming him? That he was on top was a start -- it's where I'd like to be -- but the whole orgasm matter was skipped over. Ah, details.

I look forward to the Bionic Woman, but it's days could be numbered if the matter of this rapid pacing isn't adressed right away. But they've already got the episodes in the system, so we'll just have to wait.

I can't wait.

Mean, Sneaky Senator Clinton Gets Free Pass From Media

I'm serious about this. There's a conspiracy in the media to get her elected. It's so insidieous that it must be pointed out. One blogger points out that she's hiding from the press, but that doesn't stop others from keeping her name out there favorably.

But not with bloggers, who point to her lack of a press conference and this well-planned set of public appearances with Bill Clinton.

Then there's this video of her avoiding shaking hands with a well-wisher. Yikes.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee “Lone Iraq No Vote” Fundraising Event - Sunday, September 23, 2007

Please Join Hosts
Steve Phillips & Susan Sandler,
Gene Eidenberg & Anna Chavez, Elizabeth Colton,
Zenophon Abraham, Ed Penhoet,
Wayne Jordan & Quinn Delaney,
Hari Dillon, John Gooding and Miguel Bustos

In honor of
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
And the 6th Anniversary of the “Lone Vote”

On September 14, 2001, Rep. Barbara Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against a resolution that gave President George Bush a blank check to go to war without constraint. Bush used this resolution to launch his “global war on terror.” Since then, she has led the effort to prevent – and now to end – the War in Iraq. We are proud of her leadership and urge you to join us in honoring her.

At the home of
Steve Phillips and Susan Sandler
553 Arkansas Street
San Francisco

NEW DATE!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
6:00 pm until 8:00 pm

$2,300 Champion • $1,000 Host
(Includes a signed copy of the Lone Vote speech)
$500 Partner • $250 Friend

RSVP by contacting Mitchell Lester at 415-308-5849 or Maria Ali at 510-663-1207 or maria@leeforcongress.com.Valet parking will be available.


Congresswoman Barbara Lee

September 14, 2001

Mr. Speaker, Members, I rise today really with a very heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and the loved ones who were killed and injured this week. Only the most foolish and the most callous would not understand the grief that has really gripped our people and millions across the world. This unspeakable act on the United States has really -- really forced me, however, to rely on my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction.

September 11th changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet, I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. This is a very complex and complicated matter.
Now this resolution will pass, although we all know that the President can wage a war even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. Our country is in a state of mourning. Some of us must say, let's step back for a moment. Let's just pause, just for a minute and think through the implications of our actions today, so that this does not spiral out of control.

Now I have agonized over this vote. But I came to grips with it today, and I came to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful, yet very beautiful memorial service. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said, "As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore."

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Barbara Lee was first elected to represent California's ninth Congressional District in 1998. On September 14th, 2001 Barbara Lee courageously cast the lone vote against granting the President a blank check to wage war without constraint. She is currently on the Appropriations Committee – bringing her bold voice and progressive agenda to the powerful spending committee. Congresswoman Lee also serves as the First Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and the co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus.




Lone Vote Event — September 23, 2007

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$2,300 designated for the Primary Election and $2,300 designated for the General Election

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O.J. Simpson Free On Bond Of $125,000 - Case Flimsy

As of this writing, O.j. Simpson is on his way home to Florida after posting $125K in bail in Las Vegas. I saw the accusers on CNN and I've got to admit their case is flimsy at best. I believed from the start O.J. was being set up and the person who did it isn't even being tried for a thing!

This case's going nowhere fast.

University of Florida student Tasered - Former Cop Provides Sane Look

I saw this post over at Salon.com and was overjoyed:

"Former cop here

And those cops were oafs. They may or may not get away with their unprofessional, excessive behavior, depending on the quality of the investigation, but they handled that situation with a level of incompetence one would usually only expect from a Bush political appointee.

Setting aside for a moment the question of whether the kid should have been taken down in the first place (I think he should have been allowed to rant, myself), skillful, well-trained police officers have methods for dealing with unruly individuals, not the least of which is basic diplomacy..

There is absolutely no reason why that situation should have devolved the way it did except that the officers involved didn't know what they were doing and overreacted. In my former department, that level of incompetence wouldn't be tolerated.

-- Bukk63"

The world needs more active police officers like him. Thank God for this voice of sanity.

University of Florida student Tasered at John Kerry Forum

Here's the story:

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A University of Florida student was Tasered and arrested Monday when he attempted to speak at a forum with U.S. Sen. John Kerry during a question and answer session, university officials said.

Andrew Meyer, 21, asked Kerry why he did not contest the 2004 presidential election, which he lost to President Bush, and why there had been no moves to impeach Bush.

"He apparently asked several questions — he went on for quite awhile — then he was asked to stop," university spokesman Steve Orlando said. "He had used his allotted time. His microphone was cut off then he became upset."

While as many as four police officers tried to remove Meyer from the forum, he yelled for help and asked "What did I do?" Minutes after Meyer started speaking, he was Tasered.

Meyer was charged with resisting an officer and disturbing the peace, according to Alachua County jail records. No bond had been set. Meyer was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning, a jail official said.

Orlando said university police would conduct an internal investigation on the incident.

"The police department does have a standard procedure for when they use force, including when they use a Taser," Orlando said. "That is what the internal investigation would address — whether the proper procedures were followed, whether the officers acted appropriately."


The event was sponsored by the UF student government speaker's bureau, according to a news release. A telephone message left at the speaker's bureau office was not immediately returned Monday evening.

It was not known if Meyer had an attorney.


But the bottom line is that -- if you look at the video -- Andrew wasn't even making a big fuss. He may have been asking uncomfortable questions, but that was it. That's supposed to be America. For the UF police to do what they did was totally nuts. Plus, their own internal review's not going to turn up anything.

Between this action and the way Capital Police treated the minster at last week's Petraus hearing , one has to ask what's going on with the kind of people law enforcement's bring in. They seem to lack proper judgement on when and why to use force, and thus bring shame on the very police departments they're suppose to bring respect to.

We must demand a higher standard. Now.

I also totally disagree with Michelle Makin's take on this, as it seems she's knee-jerk into defending anyone in a uniform just because they're in a uniform. Michelle' s not using her intellect by adopting this lazy thinking, rubber-stamp approach to the analysis of any controversial action in American culture. Her take also shows the limits of dogma, where people are so blinded they can't see injustice before them.

Makin's obviously not aware that college police are developing a pattern of over-the-top behavior, but fortunately Salon.com's got a collection of videos showing this travesty of the American legal system.

Senator John Kerry comes off looking bad. He tells the newspapers he didn't see what happened, and yet on the video we can hear him talking as this is going on and referring to the question. This kind of behavior is why John Kerry lost the election -- he's afraid to take a stand and defend basic American rights because he wants to look good for the cameras. Can't have that hair messed up when you're taking a stand, right Senator Kerry?

And to think I supported him for President in 2004.

Condoning Cheating? - NFL Coaches Unfairly Treating Jets Coach Eric Mangini

Profootballtalk.com and The New York Times report today that several NFL Coaches and executives are working to gang-up on New York Jets Head Coach Eric Mangini for blowing the whistle on New England Coach Bill Belichek for telling NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that the Pats vidoed defensive signals from opposing teams, a violation of NFL rules.

Selena Roberts of the NY Times writes:

Mangini didn’t just flip on Belichick, costing his former mentor a celebrated image that has been reflected in a shelf-full of Lombardi Trophies, as well as a $500,000 fine and a prime draft pick. He did more. He also humiliated the respected Patriots owner and league power player Robert K. Kraft.

That sin has left Mangini toxic to some team executives. After all, would you trust him? Is there anyone — a player, assistant, general manager, owner or mascot — that he wouldn’t betray in a pinch?

Mike Florio of Profootballtalk.com reports:

The reality, however, is that Mangini has likely learned his lesson, and that he knows that he has pulled the trigger on a one-shot pistol. But this doesn't change the fact that no NFL executive could justify taking the risk that Mangini might offer up a sequel.

Meanwhile, Mangini might have problems keeping the job he currently has. As one league insider opined on Tuesday:

"The biggest issue that Mangini faces is that his team absolutely stinks. One of the problems with being a surprise team is that you can't surprise anyone anymore. They won't win more than six games this year. The Ravens tried to hand the game to the Jets after dominating for three quarters and the Jets refused to take it. The offensive line is awful, the defensive line is terrible, the running back is old, the wideouts drop passes, and the secondary is beat up. The Patriots will win that division by five or six games, easy. That, more than anything, is going to put heat on Mangini."

Wait. That's not right. It points to the observation that some NFL execs may have actually known that New England was cheating and kept quiet; indeed, if Mangini himself knew this, and talked, then how many other people knew? It doesn't make the NFL look good at all, and with these latest headlines, sends up more smoke, implying there's a fire burning somewhere in the league.

This matter of punishing Mangini as whistle-blower also opens another question -- at least in my mind. Why does the NFL allow a double-standard to exist, where players transgressions are blurted out to the public with abandon, and there's no threat of backlash by NFL team execs, but when it comes to the matter of an NFL coach like Bill Belichek, this invisible protective shield is thrown up?

It's not right. The Commissioner should release a statement warning the league's execs of punishment if such statements are made in the future. I personally dislike this aspect of how the NFL functions. Yes, Bill Belichek's a great coach, and while he should not have done what he did, and his overall record is somewhat tainted, he's got three Super Bowl trophies, and that didn't come just from hard-to-get videos.

But look at the facts -- the Pats have won some very close games in Super Bowl history. It's fair to ask if the video practice was used prior to each Super Bowl the Pats were in under Belichek. I'm not saying take his awards away, but the way they were gotten is under scrutiny.

That process of investigation must begin. But meanwhile, leave Eric Mangini alone. I'm certain he got tired of being well-prepared for New England only to have his hat handed to him by a too-well-prepared Patriots team, and knowing how they got ready to play, and what they did during the game steamed him.

Enough was enough.

2008 Presidential Race - Zennie Questions Fayetteville, GA

I recently took my trusty Sony camcorder to visit my Mom in Fayetteville, GA and in the process ask some of the locals two questions: first, what they thought of the 2008 Presidential Race, and second who they planned to vote for. I received some interesting responses.

Now, it must be reported that I did not go up to every person I encountered. I randomly picked my spots and let's face it, most people will not speak before a camera. Yeah, someone may give this great opinion but the minute I say "Hey, can I get that on camera?" they will say "No, not on camera." The very act of coaxing them is so time consuming that I'd rather not be bothered. But then there are people who do speak, and they offer a great opening to be interviewed.

Also, I knew I was going to make a five-minute video -- ok, almost six -- and so didn't focus on talking to a lot of people. I wanted to have full unedited responses, and that's what I got.

I also didn't try to get some kind of ethnic balance. To be frank, Fayetteville, GA offers a pretty fair variety of people. The 2000 census, which really reflects the mid-1990s when you think about it, is just plain wrong about Fayetteville, Georgia in 2007. This Atlanta suburb is now seemlingly half-African American, if not majority Black. Regardless, my experience confirms my assertion that our American Census and the country's overall perception of itself on a regional basis is way out of whack with reality.

The true picture I get is of an America more diverse and mixed in thought and in human color than we are led to think by the mainstream media, which itself needs an overhaul because it's so behind the times in how it covers American Culture -- fact is replaced by bias dressed as fact all too often.

But I digress.

What I learned in my little bitty video survey is that people have made of their minds -- sort of. The responses you hear all come with the causionary sentence "For now", or "At this time." Which means they could switch or shift for some unknown reasons.

To me this is shaping up as the most volitile and unpredictable election in American History. I think Bill Kristol nailed it when he said the 2008 Presidential Race will break all the rules. There are so many elements that are a part of today's culture that were not even evident in 2004, when President Bush was reelected -- YouTube, cell-phone-only-homes, to name a few of them. Plus, the standard methods of surveying our society's preferences doens't even capture this, and yet the results are reported on CNN and other news networks and without introspection.

Wow.

This is the election where America will learn how wrong it is about itself.

O.J. Simpson Jailed On Trumped-Up Charges

Ok. I've tried to avoid the O.J. Simpson matter because I thought it would go away and the Las Vegas law authorities would figure that it was a set-up -- it has all the signs of that. But they've not done so, thus, I'm going to weigh in.

My view is that O.J. was set up by some totally loser characters that are involved in selling sports items of value, and who most likely stole the items from O.J. What really is bothersome is that the Las Vegas District Attorney's not really intelligent enough to see this matter for what it is, and avoid heaping on silly charges, but that's what's going on.

On top of that, many media outlets, including CNN, feel it's the story to cover -- at first I disagreed, but the actions of the Las Vegas District Attorney's Office have caused me to think this is now a story. O.J.'s past is being used against him without the actual admission of the Las Vegas authorities. It makes me wonder if there's really such a thing as justice in a post 9/11 America.

Now, the other person at fault in this whole deal is O.J, but it's not for any one of the 10 felony charges he's been hit with. It's for not calling the FBI if he thought there was a problem, and for hanging around the wrong people. Post the murder issue, it's hard to understand why O.J. would allow himself to wade back into the cesspool of public opinion, which is like mob rule in O.J.'s case.

I don't know what got into his head that he had to do an interview on that aspect of his past, as opposed to, say, his exploits as a record-setting running back with USC and in the NFL. It seems like spritually wading into those waters led to this punishment -- I do belive it's a weird act of God O.J.'s dealing with. Regardless of his guilt or innocence he should have left the whole matter alone.

Now, he's got a new set of issues. But if he believes and prays, he will prevail. I don't think he did anything wrong -- but I do think he's being thrown into a spritual test.

I agree with "A Girl In Shorts" -- I'm rooting for O.J. And since we both are, it blows all to hell the equally racist main stream media bent on asking if there's a racial divide -- the answer's no.

GO JUICE!

Let's see how he does.