Jerry Brown, Arnie Fields, Oscar Grant, Mehserle Verdict and The Raiders

Last Tuesday night, the night of the 2010 Midterm Elections, as now Governor-Elect Jerry Brown was making his way through the audience of media and well-wishers, and this video blogger was filming the action, Brown turned right, and into my camcorder's lens. The first thing out of Jerry's mouth - well the second thing after "there's that blogger" - was referring to the comments that Arnie Fields made about him during our interview.

Arnie Fields ran for Mayor and lost, again, big time. Arnie knows in his heart of hearts that he's not going to be the Mayor of Oakland unless he makes a concerted effort. But that's another blog post. Arnie's ran twice because he's got Jerry Brown on the brain, and doesn't like the "10K" - Jerry Brown's project that brought thousands of units of apartment and condo housing to downtown Oakland, and helped transform Oakland's population. Ok, we've been through that discussion.

But instead of focusing on the Governor's race when he saw me at his election party at the Oakland Fox, the now Governor-elect Brown could only think of my interview with Arnie. And just because Arnie was critical of Jerry. Geez. Here, I endorse the guy - Jerry - for Governor of California the previous day, and all he and his press people can think of is that. Well, so be it. I wasn't going to argue about it on camcorder with Jerry because I don't do TMZ, so I shut the thing off.

That action really upset one of my YouTube fans, who wrote that I should have kept the camera going. You know, after a lot of thinking about that, he's right. No more Mr. nice guy - well, I can't -- I just can't do full on TMZ.com with the challenging questions and the camera in the face. I don't like that. I just can't. Maybe half TMZ. Ok. Half.

On Oscar Grant And The Mehserle Verdict

Just one thing here: I think protests do very little here. Wonder how many of the protesters voted on Tuesday? Love to take a pole. If we want change, how about filing a lawsuit? Why not blame now former-Alameda County DA Tom Orloff for posting a "first-degree murder" charge he knew would not stick? That's what started this whole deal. No wonder Orloff retired.

The only good Oscar Grant and Mehserle Verdict protesters have done is boost ratings for the local Bay Area Media. You can't tell about society's problems if you're not willing to work to change society.

The Oakland Raiders

There's a video from the game coming today, but how about those Oakland Raiders! Amazing win, and on the day of the Raiderette Reunion! The first game the Raiderette's performed in was Chiefs vs. Raiders in 1960, if my source, a Raiderette who performed then, is correct.

What happened Sunday? Raiders top the Chiefs 23 to 20 in overtime. As my friend Charlie Santana, Jr. said, "I'm so happy now, I can't talk." You said it, man.

The Oakland Mayor's Race

Final results are supposed to be released today, which should include the absentee ballots.  Stay tuned.

Eyewitness Accounts Differ from Police Accounts of Friday Nights Oscar Grant Protests

This is an important article on a number of fronts. First it details accurately much of what took place on Friday night after the sentencing was announced. Writer Joseph Anderson alone w/ photographer Jay Finneburgh not only monitored and documented the march, but kept a phone line open to our studios so folks not inside the police lines could actually hear what was being said. What was being described by Anderson, documented by Finneburgh and experienced by legal observers was a far, far, far cry from what was reported on the evening news when police held a press conference boasting about arrest numbers.

When we were down on the corners of 6th and East 17th.. We a long with folks from the Lawyers Guild were told the entire block had been designated as a crime scene because someone throw rocks at officers and everyone was being arrested as agitators. That was never ever stated to Anderson and other marchers who were all hauled away unless they were accredited press.

During the press conference that evening police didn't talk about rock throwing, but instead talked about a gun being snatched from holster and how that ONE individual was quickly arrested. So why were 150 people arrested? What was the danger when the cops outnumbered marchers? Read Anderson's account.

-Davey D-

"Same-Old-Same-Old from the Corporate Media: the Oakland Justice for Oscar Grant Protests"

by Joseph Anderson


I was swept up and arrested Friday night, in Oakland at the "end" of the Justice for Oscar Grant march. As usual, most of the Bay Area TV stations gave a totally bad -- of course, very pro-police -- spin to what happened. It amazes me how edited and re-chronologized video can make viewers think they are seeing something that they aren't. Events are portrayed out of order, and most TV reporters falsely describe the context of the video clips they show.

For example, many local stations showed video of protesters pushing down a chain link fence, calling it an example of vandalism. In reality, what the video showed was frightened overwhelmingly peaceful protesters trying to escape fully-geared and itching-to-go riot cops who had tried to enclose the marchers and cops who were about to begin assaulting not just innocent marchers but also bystanders and, later, neighborhood people.

I saw very young black females, plus-or-minus 20-something, no more than 4'8" height, no more than 95 lbs, just peacefully sitting on a less than a knee-high sidewalk wall in their own neighborhood, trapped and being led off in handcuffs by aggressive, 200lbs+, riot cops. I saw an equally small, very young woman, a person of color, being aggressively picked up and slammed to the ground (face down like Oscar Grant), while being arrested and handcuffed. This, in spite of a black mayor and a black police chief and a black cop (L. Johnson of OPD) on the scene talking about "his men", over the police murder of a young black Oscar Grant. Like Oscar Grant, none of us were armed, none of us were resisting, and none of us (at least not where we marchers were entrapped) were violent.

If you pay more attention, the pro-police spin of local media coverage doesn't hold up. At least two mainstream news reporters at the scene at 6th Avenue & East 17th Street in East Oakland admitted that there was NO "widespread violence," if hardly any, and NO bottles or rocks thrown at the police -- except for "one or two storefront windows broken" and "one AC Transit bus window broken." This was how a Jennifer (last name unknown) of KGO, whom I talked with, and another reporter, a Josh Richman of the Oakland Tribune, his reporting live on KQED-TV's This Week in Northern California, basically reported on the night of the march.

Such minor incidents would have been easy for the police to contain, given the presence of a thousand cops in uniform, all the police cameras, but also with all the (we must assume) undercover cops along these marches. Instead, the cops played the propaganda numbers game (bragging about 152 arrests), enclosing and mass arresting obviously nonviolent protesters: the easy ones to catch. And who are among the small property "vandalizers" and "looters": undercover police provocateurs? I also have seen, defying any otherwise common sense, riot cops purposely try to antagonize and provoke nonviolent marchers. This would upset me if I were a nearby small business owner.

At least one of those reporters, and other TV reporters, reported only "rumors" (gee, I wonnnder by whom?) of a gun being pulled from the holster of a riot cop and pointed at the cop. Cops have video of everything else in these events; why don't they have any video of that? It would seem to defy common sense. Let's see YOU get close enough, and for long enough, especially if you're black or brown, to a phalanx of 'itchy,' fully-geared, riot cops to successfully reach for the gun and then wrest the latch off, and then wrest the gun from his holster, let alone long enough to then point the gun at said riot cop. And then live to tell the story!

Instead, you would be gunned down (along with any nearby protesters) in a hail of other cops' bullets or wind up in a hospital emergency ward, critically beaten, unconscious or comatose and near death. These are the same cops who beat the hell out of Black people, if they are caught, for merely trying to run away! These are the same kind of cops who participated in the legalized murder of Oscar Grant for his merely trying to catch his breath!

It's also laughable for the media to portray the police as actually being concerned in the slightest with protecting Oakland's small businesses. When a previous Oscar Grant rally supposedly "turned violent," the same cops, in full riot gear and numbering in the hundreds (if not also up to a thousand), stood down and watched as they let the downtown Oakland Foot Locker be sacrificed -- practically WAVING and FUNNELING looters into the store.

OPD did this for sheer self-serving manipulation. At a time when the OPD was facing budgetary lay-offs, the OPD could literally televise to the viewers, "See what happens when you threaten to cut back on us cops or even just our pay?" And, "You see, this rally isn't really about Oscar Grant: it's just about some negroes wanting to get stolen athletic shoes." You can bet that the cops wouldn't have stood down and let nearby Wells Fargo Bank be broken into, because that would have been a political message by the protesters to the TV viewers that the TV viewers could appreciate about the people who financially loot all of US!

Unfortunately, some middle-class TV watchers -- especially those who are white (the most susceptible), but also of any color (and the older the viewer, the more generally susceptible they are) -- fall for this manipulation. The mainstream news can always find one of these types to put a microphone and camera in front of, who will say how scared they were for themselves or their businesses. These people, probably none of whom have never participated in any kind of dissident protest, where they then would know how police behave, watch suburban-looking reporters dressed up in nice suits, haircuts, and overcoats, and believe that since they are watching the (unbeknownst to them, highly edited and time re-arranged) video, they must be seeing "what actually happened." They then monolithically condemn THE marchers, especially EVERYONE who got arrested, and become even more pro-police.

But, even though the cops don't want to be judged by the so-called "few bad apples" cops, that's exactly how the cops and the media monolithically judge THE protesters -- by even just "the few bad apples" and sensationalize them! When will I see mass, wholesale arrests due to mostly white people who tear up a city or college town after a major sports victory? Where are the mass arrests when white people show up -- toting guns(!!) -- at town hall meetings hosted by Congress members!? When will I see cops mass arresting 150 affluent suburban drivers because a few might be recklessly speeding or even driving drunk on Highway 24 or 680 in suburban Contra Costa county? Why weren't even just all the participating cops on the scene arrested for allowing conspiracy (at least accomplices) to commit "manslaughter" when one of them outright killed Oscar Grant?

This is the same old pro-police and corporate TV news establishment propaganda. It's all part of the daily establishment narrative that mainstream media strings out every day to keep work-a-day and couch-potato Americans fearful, docile, and accepting whatever the U.S. government and police want to do. It's the same-old-same-old that would keep us all afraid of each other's racial and social groups and, of course, the foreign U.S.-appointed "boogeymen." It's the same old media that harps about protesters not from Oakland, like Oakland is supposed to be some stepcity whose concerns, even tragedies, no one else is supposed to care about. Yet the cops, who rarely come from the community, and the media come from all over -- cops from even the outer reaches of suburban Contra Costa county and even from Sunnyvale! Well, police brutality and atrocities should be everyone's concerns.

You can see this ruling class strategy in action everywhere, on local, national, and international issues. The true facts are distorted to look like their opposite! The right-wing media in Venezuela made it look like Chavez supporters were firing rifles on Chavez opponents, instead of what actually happened: just the reverse. The Israeli military made it look like Gaza flotilla passengers were attacking the Israeli soldiers, instead of what actually happened: just the reverse. When the cops, truncheons swinging, wade into a crowd and indiscriminately beat up people who are physically trying to protect themselves, the TV news makes it look like it's the protesters violently "resisting arrest" (that pro forma police charge) and beating on the cops ("assaulting an officer," that other pro forma police charge)!

It's the old divide-and-conquer ruling-class strategy, executed by the corporate media, aimed at blocking people seeking positive, real, transformative change, and social and global justice. If we can't have, and be permitted, an overwhelmingly nonviolent protest, about even violent atrocities -- the legalized murder of Oscar Grant -- by the cops, then what else is left to resort to? In this media propaganda environment, it's critical to give support to the protesters and those very very few reporters who do a good job reporting the truth instead of repeating police and government propaganda. One example journalist is the highly respected Davey D, of Oakland, who has written excellent recent articles at daveyd.com about the Oakland protest on November 5.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Joseph Anderson is a Berkeley resident; a longtime grassroots progressive political activist; an occasional sociopolitical contributing writer to various publications; and the author of "Karmic Justice" (available online), about Lovelle Mixon and the cops vs. the victims of legalized police murders.

You can see more of Jay Finneburgh' s photos over at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/11/07/18663397.php

Return to Davey D's Hip Hop Corner

Keith Olbermann Is Back On MSNBC After Suspension

MSNBC Anchor Keith Olbermann is back on the network after a weird Friday. After it was discovered that Keith donated to three Democratic candidates, MSNBC President Phil Griffin told Oldermann he was being suspended without pay and for a policy it claims is intended to preserve journalistic objectivity.

Seriously.

With Fox News' success, the door is open for more networks of that kind. This blogger thinks everyone in media should reveals their biases.

Apparently, Phil Griffin had a change of heart in this direction and brought Keith back. According to the MSNBC site, Phil said:

"I have determined that suspending Keith through and including Monday night's program is an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy. We look forward to having him back on the air Tuesday night."

In other words, I was wrong, but I'll yank your chain because I can.

It will be interesting to learn what Olbermann says upon his return to television Tuesday.

More later.

Illinois 65 - Michigan 67: Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier Star for Michigan

The Saturday Illinois Michigan three-overtime game was one of the greatest in Big 10 history. It certainly was the highest scoring one, as both teams posted a basketball-like score of 67 to 65 because of the three overtimes.

Illinois Michigan was one of those games that just creeps up on you. It looks like Illinois is all set to run away with it, only to have Michigan come back with one gutsy play after another.

Hats off to both Michigan quarterbacks Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier (in photo). Denard Robinson is the phenom this space said was like Michael Vick without the dogs. That statement points to Denard Robinson's throwing ability at the college level. Vick wasn't nearly as good a passer in college as Robinson is at Michigan. Against Illinois, he was 10 of 20 for over 300 yards.

Then, he was knocked out of the game. Enter Tate Forcier. Forcier was 12 of 19 for 114 yards, and while he wasn't quite the offensive weapon that Denard is, he made timely throws and led the team to a dramatic win. A game that saw an Illinois player do something not done since Red Grange in 1924.

The DailyIllini.com reports that Illinois Running Back Mikel Leshoure scored five touchdowns against Michigan. That hasn't been done since the afforementioned Grange.

Meanwhile, Michigan produced 561 total yards for the game, 171 more than the average the Fighting Illini allowed this year.

Now, Michigan's in for another test against Purdue, this week.

Stay tuned.

Nick Lachey Gives Marriage Another Shot

AP

Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson were a couple that it seemed everyone was in love with. The two seemed so perfect. Their first year of marriage was watched by a large audience via MTV's Newlyweds. The pop-duo seemed destined to be the next Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt - but like Aniston & Pitt - this couple's marriage didn't last.

Simpson is known for her wholesome pop star demeanor and stayed a virgin until marriage. Simpson and Lachey's fairy tale love story came to an end after four years (2002-2006).

Simpson has had numerous boyfriends since the couple split, but Lachey has had one steady relationship with Vanessa Minnillo.

It has recently been announced through the tabloids that Lachey and Minnillo are now engaged. Minnillo is 29 and has never been married; Lachey is now 36 and this will be his second marriage.

It will be interesting to find out what Simpson thinks about this.

NYC Marathon 2010: Gebre Gebremariam (Ethiopia), Edna Kiplagat (Kenya) Win

The ING NYC Marathon 2010 (photo by infohostels.com), which featured celebrities like Chilean Miner Edison Pena, Al Roker from the Today Show, New York City restaurateur and chef Mario Batali and winery owner Joe Bastianich, Seaton from The Dan Patrick Show, Jared Fogle of Subway Sandwich fame, Ryan Sutter, from The Bachelorette, Food Channel star and Chicago restaurateur Bobby Flay, and Amani Toomer, formerly of The New York Giants, also had serious runners.

Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia and Edna Kiplagat of Kenya won for the men and women respectively, according to the NYC Marathon website.

Meanwhile, Kenya continued its overall dominance of U.S. Long Distance Running, as Kenyans won two of the top three spots for the men, and the top spot for the women in the NYC Marathon.  Those winners, and others will get a share of the $600,000 in prize money.

The NYC Marathon draws over two million spectators and an estimated 315 Worldwide television viewers.

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag Go Bankrupt

It must have been all the crystals that Spencer Pratt bought. During the last season of The Hills Pratt confessed that he spent all of his money on these special crystals that he believed were good luck.

This blog post will not be objective, because there's so much built up frustration regarding these two fame craved individuals that objectivity is not even worth trying to achieve.

Heidi Montag recently tried to fool the world by convincing tabloids that her and Pratt were honestly getting a divorce. The two are attention whores who love the spotlight. Hell, they wrote a book about how to be famous just like them. No one wants to be just like them - no one.

Their families won't even talk to them. Montag probably would have a lot more money if she didn't spend all of her money on plastic surgery. The two reportedly received over $90 thousand per episode of The Hills so it is astounding that the money is already disappearing.

This could possibly be another publicity stunt, but the two had a very interesting interview with Life & Style Magazine which Elizabeth Kwiatkowski wrote about and posted on RealityTvWorld.com. 

The reports tell that the couple owes $2 million in taxes - they spent over $35 thousand a month on their rented Malibu home and $3 million on Montag's attempt to launch a music career - she thought that she would be able to launch an album that would be more popular than Michael Jackson's Thriller. The fact that she would even compare herself to Michael Jackson is worthy of paying a fine.

The two also spent lots on cars, private jets and of course those healing crystals.

Montag posed for Playboy in the past, but she didn't get completely naked.  She said that at her "lowest point she considered posing for nude pictures in Playboy."


It could be another stunt for more attention, because it has become apparent that the two will do absolutely anything for attention.

Pratt admits that he thought that The Hills would be the next 90210 and that it would last another ten years. He believes that Jersey Shore is the reason behind The Hills coming to an end.

The two are notorious for calling up the paparazzi so that they could go and take pictures of the two frolicking on the beach and what not.

A few months ago on Twitter Montag was going on and on about her upcoming reality tv show with her long time friend Jen Bunny. What happened to that sex tape? If the sex tape really is in existence that now would be a good time to get some cash out of it, because that may be their last hope.

Speidi believed that their fame would live on forever and that the two were set for life. Guess Montag should feel very embarrassed about her attempt to be a pop star and the lyrics to her song Superficial that say how jealous others are because of how rich she is. She apparently wears diamonds for breakfast.

The two aren't looking for pity, but that's hard to believe. So, for the meantime the two have to rely on Pratt's parents to buy groceries for them once a week.

It will be interesting to see what happens next between the two. Maybe Spencer wishes he still had those crystals to bring him good luck.