Carolina Chocolate Drops

I ran across this video while checking out "this black sistas" blog

To be honest with the exception of a few artist I've been very unimpressed with what passes for R&B today. So being a native of North Carolina I'm intrigued by this group. I've always hated country music myself. But Blue Grass music was an entirely different thing, I'm not sure where I developed an ear for this type of music. Maybe it's because of the summer camp my parents sent me to in Black Mountain NC when I was 13, or maybe it's because it' reminds me of the relaxing summer trips my family would take to places like Asheville, Blowing Rock and Cherokee NC.  However being the cool brother that I was I could never let anybody know that I actually liked blue grass music. But that was until a young group of musicians has made blue grass hip. I've already come out of the closet as a metal head, maybe I should add  Blue Grass music to the list as well as well.

check out their video

The Hard Truth: Companies Don't Hire Unemployed

A very interesting show that was on NPR yesterday.

I hate to break it to you kiddies, but this is what's happening. To me this is just more evidence that the current employment situation is the "new norm". Also this should motivate the long term unemployed to start their own business
and tell corporate America to kiss their asses.

Listen here:

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/14/132056874/the-hard-truth-companies-don-t-hire-unemployed

Tyrone gets a new scooter

Ok, so I was supposed to be writing a hard hitting,thought provoking post about our Prez calling in Bill Clinton to help a brother out. But then I had some Crown Royal and all that went out the window. So I leave you all with this on a Friday night.

Back online

Greetings all,

The Black Man is back! I will get back to posting more stuff on this blog now that I've fixed my little template problem and I have more free time on my hands.

America - He's Your President for Goodness Sake!

President Obama - Political Commentary - Humor - Senior Living Magazine

Mitch McConnell Challenges Obama With Bold Speech

"Winning not whining brings power to your agenda. "



This is probably the most insightful thing I've read all day.
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Woman stomped by Rand Paul Supporters

Way to go Tea Baggers. If people didn't think you all were a bunch of violent hillbilly's before, they sure as hell do now. Good job guys.

Jay Smooth’s Scared of Christine O’Donnell

Too funny but true!

VOTE!!

Election time is fast approaching. I'm urging everybody of every political stripe to go out and vote.

Despite what my conservative friends say voter turnout is usually pretty low in the African-American community. The last presidential election may have been the exception. This needs to change. Many black and white folks risked their lives so you and I could vote today. Don't let their sacrifices go to waste. VOTE!!

Tea Party-Backed Gubernatorial Candidate Paul LePage Says He'd Tell Obama To 'Go To Hell' (VIDEO)

Obama should beat him to the punch and tell this loon to kiss his black azz!

What's with these guys? Had a Democratic Candidate said this about Bush there would have been hell to pay. Their patriotism would have been called in to question and the whole nine yards.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Chris Redfern, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman, Not Apologizing For Calling Tea Partiers 'F--kers'

Good for him. Most of the tea baggers come across as a bunch of hate filled, misinformed whack jobs. I wouldn't apologize to them either.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Dear Angry American, Joining the Tea Party Is NOT Your Only Option

I'm not surprised it has come to this. Billions of dollars have been spent yet the average American has

seen very little if any improvement in their daily lives or prospects for a better future.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Colin Powell: Newt Gingrich's Obama Critique 'Doesn't Make Any Sense' (VIDEO)

Colin Powell seems to be one of the few THINKING Republicans left out there.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Obama To Tea Party: 'Identify, Specifically, What Would You Do?'

It's easy to be the guy lobbing grenades from the sidelines. But it's an entirely different thing to have to actually come up with WORKABLE solutions. I look forward to the Tea Party's response.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

If MLK were alive today

  Tom Tomorrow nails it again with this one!

Rapper arrested at RDU on gun charges

Why Petey why? Here we have yet another Rapper getting arrested for carrying a gun.
Why? Can anybody tell me why these idiot rappers feel like that have to carry guns with them everywhere they go? If they want to carry guns and show how much of a bad ass they are, why don't they just enlist in the military and go to Afghanistan. At least there they can do something useful.

Muslim By Default

Some of these folks just won't let this one go.

Anti-PowerPoint Rant Gets Colonel Kicked Out of Afghanistan

The Colonel said what needed to be said. It's too bad he got canned, but that was not unexpected.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Brown Man Thinking Hard: NYC Mosque Protestors Mistake Black Construction Worker For Muslim

Brown Man Thinking Hard: NYC Mosque Protestors Mistake Black Construction Worker For Muslim

The Fringe of the Fringe | Southern Poverty Law Center

The Fringe of the Fringe Southern Poverty Law Center

Restore The Constitution Rally

So some folks want to hold a rally with guns to demonstrate their constitutional rights. Honestly that's cool with me. I have no problem with folks exercising their rights, even if they want to parade around in cammies carrying guns while doing so.
But while reading their website I ran across this little gem:

"Here’s a little history for you;
On February 1, 1960, four negroes (term used in 1960) from NC A&T University, decided to sit at a “Whites Only” lunch counter in a Woolworths Store in Greensboro. This was their peaceful way of protesting segregation.

Times haven’t changed that much folks. 50 years ago, people were fighting for Truth, Justice & the American Way. Today, the majority of Americans are in the fight of our lives. To preserve our great country & to Restore The Constitution."

What's with all these right-wing folks comparing themselves to the Civil Rights activist of the 1960's? This is just downright bizarre. I'm sorry but there is no comparison between people fighting to receive rights that other Americans already enjoyed with people protesting to ...... Hell I don't even know what they're protesting. Their right to bear arms? They'll be doing that. Their right to protest? They'll be doing that to.

If they insist on comparing themselves to civil rights activist maybe the police should turn some dogs and fire hoses on them to give them some street cred.

30 days Outsourcing in India

My wife told me about this particular episode of 30 days a while ago. I was able to track it down for you all.




Video Description
A laid-off programmer from the US goes to India looking for his job. What he found is probably something he would've never imagined.

Weekend News

So I got a chance to look at a little bit of news over the weekend. There were two stories or interviews that were quite memorable. First was Ann "Skeletor" Coulter. According to her Andrew Breitbart was set up with this whole Shirley Sherrod thing. Yeah, no need to back track and read it again. You saw what what you think you saw. She claims some unknown person sent him the video clip and all he did was post it without reviewing it. But according to Ms. Coulter it's not Andrew Brietbarts fault. It's the fault of the mysterious person who sent him the video in the first place. The only comment I have is will somebody somewhere please slap Ms. Coulter?

Later on Fox news Newt Gingrich was talking about the White House overreaction to the Shirley Sherrod video. Newt says "If the Obama administration is this afraid of Glenn Beck, how do they deal with the Iranians?" Ouch! 10 points for Newt. I hope everyone has learned from this whole affair. The NAACP and the Obama Administration got punked and deserve the criticism they're getting for appearing to be afraid to takeon the right when it come to racial matters.

Funny for this week.

This was supposed to be the Friday Funny, but suff happend.

Online racial comments about Pinellas-Pasco judge prompt investigation, added security - St. Petersburg Times

Online racial comments about Pinellas-Pasco judge prompt investigation, added security - St. Petersburg Times

The BDPA Insider – July 10, 2010

The BDPA Insider – July 10, 2010

What STEM Programs Does BDPA Provide for Young People?

BDPA Orlando chapter president Pablo More hosts a weekly lunch'n'learn webinar. On Thursday, the BDPA lunch'n'learn focused on the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs that exist within BDPA.

Click this link to read the full article:

http://betf.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-stem-programs-does-bdpa-provide.html

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Message from Los Angeles Chapter President

"Taking Membership to the Next Level"

John C. Malonson III, President
BDPA Los Angeles

BDPA Los Angeles exists to serve the Information Technology needs of its members and community.

Our continuous goal is to deliver services and programs that you desire. To provide even greater value, please continue to let us know which services and programs you would like to see expanded or offered

Click this link to read the full article:

http://betf.blogspot.com/2010/07/message-from-los-angeles-chapter.html

---

Monday July 12th @ 9PM EASTERN Live Meeting Webinar:

Career Coaching at BDPA National Conference (PARTICIPANT DETAILS)

Deborah Chambers Chima CEO, Chambers Consulting Group LTD

Franne McNeal CEO, HR Energy

Patricia E. Perkins, CPCC, PMP CEO, Exodus Coaching

Greetings, please join us for the next National BDPA Live Meeting webinar leading up to the BDPA Technology Conference in Philly.

This webinar will focus on Career Coaching sessions and special offering that will be made available at the Conference as well as the ITSMF Execute Protégé Program. Please join us if you want to take your career to the next level!

Click this link to read the full article:

http://blacksgonegeek.blogspot.com/2010/07/career-coaching-at-bdpa-national.html

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The Value of “Cloud” in the Business Technology Ecosystem (Jambey Clinkscales)

There are going to be over 50 tremendous workshops at the 32nd annual BDPA Technology Conference in Philadelphia on July 28-31, 2010. One of those workshops is being presented by HP program manager Jambey Clinkscales. His workshop is entitled The Value of “Cloud” in the Business Technology Ecosystem.

Workshop participants will learn the that Cloud Computing is a means by which highly scalable and elastic technology-enabled services can be easily consumed over the internet on an as-needed basis. This workshop addresses these questions; What’s new about cloud? What problems does it uniquely solve? First, from an HP perspective and from a broader industry perspective.

Click this link to read the full article:

http://bdpa.groupsite.com/discussion/topic/show/334594

---

BDPA 2010 National Technology Conference

College Student Workshop Forum

The objective of the College Student Workshop Forum is to enhance the students’ capacity to explore and utilize emerging technology. The workshops will also inspire and empower college student to embrace and effectively use Information Technology in their academic and professional careers.

This forum will provide challenging interactive workshops and seminars for college students to obtain valuable exposure to leading edge technology and professionals in the IT industry.

Click this link to read the full article:

http://blacksgonegeek.blogspot.com/2010/07/bdpa-2010-national-technology.html

---

Please accept our invitation to join us in the City of Brotherly Love by registering for the 32nd Annual National BDPA Conference, (http://www.bdpa.org/conf-2010.php) July 28 – 31, 2010 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, PA.

Hotel Rooms Are Now Going Fast: Please Book Now!!!

Reserve your room today by contacting the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown at 1-800-266-9432 and ask for the BDPA (Black Data Processing Associates) rate or register online.
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=1565915

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Follow us on Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/BDPA

http://www.twitter.com/BDPA_Conference

http://twitter.com/BDPA/conf10-presenters (**New** Conference Speakers Network)

Find the buzz on Twitter #BDPA:

http://twitter.com/home#search?q=%23BDPA

This message has been brought to you by the BDPA Social Networking Team. http://www.bdpa.org/socialnetworks.php

Contact our Social Networking Team - socialnetworking@bdpa.org

PS: Please share this information with your friends, co-workers, church members, etc so that they can help us pass the word. The key is that we must share what we know with others so we can all grow and prosper.

The BDPA Insider – July 3, 2010

The BDPA Insider – July 3, 2010

BDPA Student Members May Qualify For ROTC Scholarships

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) encourages interested BDPA student members that participate in the high school computer competition, youth technology camp or IT Showcase to check out some exciting cyber careers at participating universities.

http://blacksgonegeek.blogspot.com/2010/07/bdpa-student-members-may-qualify-for.html

2010 National BDPA Technology Conference

Youth Technology Camp Agenda

The BDPA Annual National Youth Technology Camp (YTC) provides interactive, hands-on workshops, seminars, and activities for high school students seeking to gain valuable exposure in leading edge technology topics. This event gives students the opportunity to network with young entrepreneurs, and other youths from around the country who are pursuing academic and professional futures in the computer technology industry. Don't miss this opportunity to take part in a technology camp specifically tailored to meet the needs of today's Youth!

http://blacksgonegeek.blogspot.com/2010/07/2010-national-bdpa-technology.html

2010 National BDPA Technology Conference

Career Planning Workshop

Today’s workplace reality of having fewer resources to get the job done creates the need to rethink your career success strategy. Come meet and hear the coaches share the concepts that will help you overcome the current challenges in the workplace!

http://blacksgonegeek.blogspot.com/2010/07/2010-bdpa-technology-conference-career_02.html

Prepare and Make Best Effective Use of the 2010 BDPA Technology Conference

Featuring Curtis Jenkins, National BDPA VP Strategy and Planning

http://www.bdpa.org/bio-cjenkins.php

BDPA Lunch & Learn Webinar . Outstanding 18-slide presentation created by National BDPA vice president Curtis Jenkins.

Click here to listen to the webinar:

http://www.box.net/bdpa-conference2010#bdpa-conference2010/1/46073648/461162432/1

Click here for the blog post on BDPA Groupsite.com

http://bdpa.groupsite.com/discussion/topic/show/330548

---

Please accept our invitation to join us in the City of Brotherly Love by registering for the 32nd Annual National BDPA Conference, (http://www.bdpa.org/conf-2010.php) July 28 – 31, 2010 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, PA.

Hotel Rooms Are Now Going Fast: Please Book Now !!!

Reserve your room today by contacting the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown at 1-800-266-9432 and ask for the BDPA (Black Data Processing Associates) rate or register online.
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=1565915

Subscribe to the BDPA Foundation Blog via email: http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=649683

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Follow us on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/bdpa

Find the buzz on Twitter #BDPA:

http://twitter.com/home#search?q=%23BDPA

This message has been brought to you by the BDPA Social Networking Team. http://www.bdpa.org/socialnetworks.php

Career Planning Workshop

Career Planning Workshop

Sponsored by

Hosted by

The BDPA Coach Connection

Invites You to

“Access for All”

Come meet and hear the coaches share the concepts that will help you overcome the current challenges in the workplace!

Date & Time: Thursday, July 29, 2010, *8:30 AM EST

Location: BDPA National Conference- Philadelphia

Career Success: The Secret Ingredient You Must Know

In this workshop, Deborah will share the secrets to overcoming obstacles even within the most challenging work environment.

Key Benefits:

· How to Utilize Your Leadership Acumen to Achieve Results

· How to Become More Resilient Despite the Odds

· How to use the A-C-S© (Awareness- Communication- Support) Coaching Model to Unleash your Potential for Success

Deborah Chambers Chima, CEO, Chambers Consulting Group, Ltd. is passionate about helping leaders unleash their potential to solve today’s business challenges. Her leadership strengths come from a 24-year executive career in the retail industry including 20+ years with McDonald’s Corporation. Deborah received her coach training at the Career Coach Institute and her Business Administration degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign. Her website is www.chambersconsult.com.

Think Like a CEO for Career Improvement Opportunities
Business runs on numbers. In this workshop Franne shares the secrets of C-Suite executives. Increase your pay for performance by connecting to revenues, expenses and profits.

Key Benefits:

• Decipher 3 key financial statements to know “Where did the business make money?”
• Investigate the 3 key business drivers to know “Where will the business make money?”

· Upgrade your 90-day performance plans to know “How do I help the business make money?”

Franne McNeal, CEO, HR Energy, helps C-Suite (CEO, CFO, CIO) executives turn $1,000,000 opportunities into significant business results (increased sales, improved cash flow, and reduced expenses). Franne McNeal is a serial entrepreneur, author, and speaker with nearly 30 years of business experience. She has appeared on CBS, NBC and BET. She has been quoted in Black Enterprise Magazine. Franne earned a MBA degree from Eastern University, and a BA from Princeton University. Visit Franne’s website at: www.hrenergy.com

Leader as Communicator: 7 Keys to Highly Effective Communication

At the heart of an organizational success is the ability to communicate effectively. Unfortunately, it is also at the heart of most organizational problems. This workshop provides you with the tools to overcome communication challenges and gives you key skills to be heard and understood.

Key Benefits:

· Build high level rapport 1:1 or with any audience

· Enhance your listening skills and the ability to be heard

· Acquire new tools for effective interpersonal communications

Patricia E. Perkins, CPCC, PMP – CEO, Exodus Coaching is a Certified Leadership Coach dedicated to teaching professionals how to advance in their career by helping them develop career goals, take consistent action and obtain sustainable results. Pat brings 20+ years of corporate experience into her engagements having served in positions with AON, Sara Lee, RR Donnelley and Hewitt Associates. Pat holds a Masters in MIS, is PMP certified and a Certified Coach through CTI. Visit Pat’s website at www.PatriciaPerkins.com.

Click here to register for this career shifting event

Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson

Where are all the IT job seekers?

Where are all the IT job seekers?

To: IT Job Seekers

The job market has turned and opportunities abound, but are you still looking for a job? Don't give up. Help is one the way!

Key Takeaway: IT Recruiters are searching for top IT talent and can't find you.

We can see the demand for IT Job Seekers really picking up. We have new companies signing up to join us at the 2010 National BDPA Career Fair & Tech Expo and new companies have subscribed to our online BDPA Career Center too.

3 Tips to Help BDPA Job Seekers in Today's Information Technology Industry

1) Post your resume now!

BDPA Career Center - Job Seeker's Page
https://bdpa.tms.hrdepartment.com/cgi-bin/a/searchjobs_quick.cgi
BDPA Career Center Subscribers (as of 6/27/10)
Allstate Insurance
BCBS of IL, NM, OK & TX
CIGNA
Compuware
Deloitte
Excelsior College
Freddie Mac
HP
IBM
Johnson & Johnson
JPMorgan Chase
Marriott International
Mayo Clinic
Merck & Company
NCCI Holdings
Online Computer Library Center
Oracle
Prudential
Quest Diagnostics
SC Johnson
State Farm Insurance
The Travelers Companies
Turner Broadcasting System
US Air Force
Vanguard
Walgreen Company
WellPoint
Wells Fargo Bank
2) Join Us Online!
Don't miss this unique opportunity to engage directly with IT Recruiters. They are looking for you on Facebook, LinkedIn, Groupsite.com and on Twitter. Follow our daily tweets to our fast growing online community of recruiters and hiring managers who are online and looking for you.
3) Join Us in Philly!
2010 National BDPA Career Fair & Tech Expo
https://map.bdpa.org/events/EV04EventDetail.aspx?eventID=1402
Professional Development Workshops and Seminars
Panel Discussions
http://blacksgonegeek.org/Documents/Fact_Sheetv2_1.pdf
Career Planning Workshop
https://map.bdpa.org/events/EV04EventDetail.aspx?eventID=1413
Private Career Coaching Sessions
https://map.bdpa.org/events/EV04EventDetail.aspx?eventID=1407
This message has been brought to you by BDPA, where IT Job Seekers and IT Recruiters meet each and every day.
http://www.bdpa.org/career-center.php

Please accept our invitation to join us in the City of Brotherly Love by registering for the 32nd Annual National BDPA Conference, (http://www.bdpa.org/conf-2010.php) July 28 – 31, 2010 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, PA.

Hotel Rooms Are Now Going Fast: Please Book Now !!!

Reserve your room today by contacting the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown at 1-800-266-9432 and ask for the BDPA (Black Data Processing Associates) rate or register online.

Gresham Barrett's South Carolina Gubernatorial Ad Calls Candidate 'A Christian' Who 'Wont Embarrass Us' (VIDEO)

This just makes me wish I was in SC so I could vote for his opponent.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

N.J. men planned to 'wage violent jihad,' feds say

I'm starting to see a trend here. Thank GOD the FBI was on to them.

McGinniss: Palin using 'Nazi' tactics - Andy Barr - POLITICO.com

McGinniss: Palin using 'Nazi' tactics - Andy Barr - POLITICO.com

What Happens When A Liberal Black Man Accidentally Ends Up At A Tea Party?!?

I ran across this blog tonight. It's too funny!


What Happens When A Liberal Black Man Accidentally Ends Up At A Tea Party?!?

Why does Rand Paul's new campaign manager work with a white supremacist?

As we peel back the layers of the onion we find more and more disturbing stuff.

Bill Randall The Tea Party Candidate For North Carolina *uncensored* :: WRAL.com

Bill Randall The Tea Party Candidate For North Carolina *uncensored* :: WRAL.com

A saturday morning on Fox news

I woke up early this morning and decided to watch FOX news. First thing I see is Neil Cavuto
and a panel of pro corporate talking heads criticizing the financial reform regulations. Yeah that's it! Let the Wall Street fat cats continue the same practices that brought this country's economy to it's knees. How can anybody it their right minds be in favor of this?

Second segment has more talking heads, this time complaining about Alan Grayson and some of his heated rhetoric. I don't agree with everything the Senator has said, but I find it highly hypocritical for these folks on FOX to be outraged NOW. Where are they when their fellow Republicans are making all kinds of over the top statements?

The wife is awake now and has assigned me chores for the day. So I gotta run folks!

Paul: No repeal of civil rights law - Manu Raju and Jonathan Allen and Jonathan Martin - POLITICO.com

Dude is doing some serious damage control now. Not sure why right-wingers think Maddow Ambushed him.

Paul: No repeal of civil rights law - Manu Raju and Jonathan Allen and Jonathan Martin - POLITICO.com

America's Underclass: The Growing Gap Between the Rich and Poor

Not sure why the guys in the video are acting like all of this is big news. I've been saying for the last 3-4 years now, that the middle class is slowly disappearing and we are returning to a society of only two classes. The rich and the poor. The jobless "recovery" as it's called is nothing but another nail in the coffin of the middle class. This is the very reason why we need to drill in to our kids heads that they need to strive to own their own businesses and not put their destiny in the hands of others by being somebody else's employee.

'YouCut' votes target welfare - Jake Sherman - POLITICO.com

Of course welfare was the program most people wanted to cut.
I'm no great fan of welfare myself, but I wonder how much of the total federal budget actually goes to welfare programs.\
I've seen various site that give an assortment of answers. most seem to geared toward pushing a certain political stance.
Anybody out there know where I can find a legitimate unbiased source?


'YouCut' votes target welfare - Jake Sherman - POLITICO.com

Just Tired.

Black Man is tired Y'all. I know I need to write something one of these days. But a brotha is tired when he gets home from work.

So for now I'll keep re-tweeting and linking to other folks stuff.

Oh yeah and check me out on Facebook.

nite nite

Palin says Obama would ban guns if he could :: WRAL.com

Obama has pretty much stayed out of the gun debate. So what's she talking about?

Palin says Obama would ban guns if he could :: WRAL.com

Tim Wise: Imagine if the Tea Party was Black

Tim Wise: Imagine if the Tea Party was Black

Posted using ShareThis

Crist goes Independent

It's late but Black Man wanted to make sure he got this comment on record.

I will probably support Crist in the general election. Since living in Florida I've been pleased with most of his policies. I think his decision to run as an Independent shows just how small that Republican "Big Tent" has become.

All is Fair in love and stepping

This is old news now but I just now saw the video of the white Sorority Zeta Tau Alpha that won the Sprite Step Off championship and I have to admit those girls threw down!

If they were best performers I have no problem with them winning. How can we claim to want
a level playing field but at the same time say there should things that nobody else is allowed to participate in yet alone win.

My wife and I are both a members of Black Greek Letter Organizations. So I know all the history of why we were founded etc. And I can understand why some may be uneasy. But should this be viewed any different that any other aspect of black culture that others have embraced or made their own. I intentionally didn't use the word "stole" because I don't view it that way. Have you been to blues concert lately? With the exception of the performers the audiences are largely white. Yet I don't see anybody complaining about that.

I've got to cut it short as I have to take my pup the vet. But bottom line is if we really want a more inclusive society we have to remember it works both ways.

Crashing the Tea Party

The right-wing blogs and talk shows are all buzzing about a new website that has surfaced called
crashtheteaparty.org. Supposedly this groups is dedicated to discrediting the tea party by infiltrating their events and passing themselves of as members of the tea party carrying signs with misspelling and idiotic slogans. Some right-wingers have been saying all along that the idiot tea baggers we see with the racist signs with misspelling etc. were liberal plants. I seriously doubt this. From what I've seen of these folks, most seem to be grossly misinformed and obnoxiously ignorant.

If this crashtheteaparty group is legit, the question I would ask the founders is why would they even bother? The Tea Party folks in my opinion are doing just fine making themselves looking like ignorant, hateful racist without any outside help.

Secondly, the Republican party has more to gain my marginalizing and discrediting this group that the Democratic party. The Tea party was the GOP's creation but now some Republican politicians have found themselves in the tea party's sights. The moster they created has now turned on them. Let's not forget the independents. If the Republicans hope to win over enough independents to make a difference come November they are going to have to distance themselves from the tea party and it's associated gang of far right lunatics..

Black conservative tea party backers take heat :: WRAL.com

Black conservative tea party backers take heat :: WRAL.com

I think they only take heat not because all blacks are Democratic sheep. They take heat because some don't seem to be interested in calling out the racist in their ranks.

Government-hating tea-partiers love their government checks

Government-hating tea-partiers love their government checks

Posted using ShareThis

DHS Extremism Violence Report Off Base Political Propaganda, Or Necessary Apolitical Warning of Increasing Threats?

I think somebody owes somebody else an apology. I read an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution (I believe) that was written well before the election and Obama's rise as the Democratic nominee. In that article the author predicted that if a liberal Democrat won the White house we would see a rise in right-wing militias. Unfortunately I haven't been able to locate the article online yet, but I'll keep looking.

Aside from that we now know the DHS report wasn't that fall off base at all. In fact it was spot on.

Who are the Hutaree? - The Week

Who are the Hutaree? - The Week

Some blacks back Tea Party, despite movement's racist reputation

Blackman Says: Well this is interesting. I wonder if these black Tea Party folks will call out the racist in the bunch.
__________________________________________________________
ad-hoc conservative protests against an expanded government role that started shortly after President Obama was inaugurated last year is growing into a "Taxed Enough Already" movement that is backing candidates for political office and influencing public policies. Among these movement conservatives are a small but increasing number of black conservatives and libertarians who - attracted to the tea party movement's call for smaller government, lower taxes, and less government spending - are getting involved in the protest movement.

Kevin Jackson, a former ACORN and union organizer who currently works as an advocate for the homeless in Charleston, S.C., began attending tea party events "because I saw the Left under Obama seeking to destroy the freedoms that we as Americans have fought so hard to have, and the Left's determination to take socialize, to over the state", he said.

Although he has been active in Republican Party politics, Ron Miller, an information technology consultant in Huntingtown, Md. who is running for the Maryland State Senate, said that the tea party rallies were his first foray into protest movement activities. "The movement embodied my beliefs in limited government, low taxes, individual liberty and free enterprise", he said. Miller organized and emceed the first tea party in Maryland last year, and has been a featured speaker at four tea party rallies. He has attended many other tea party events, including the large 9/12 March On Washington event last autumn.

As the tea party movement increasingly presses for changes in American politics, some observers have wondered if the movement is relevant to black America's aspirations, issues, and challenges. Jackson questions whether black America is organized around specific goals, contending that galvanizing around the interests of 40 million African-Americans is unrealistic.

However, Lenny McAllister, a political commentator and author based in Charlotte, N.C., who has spoken at various tea party rallies, sees a linkage between the tea party movement and black America's goals. "The vast majority of tea party activists focus on smaller government and on politics. I feel that it's my responsibility as an African American activist to talk about things that are bigger than that," he said. "I think a lot of tea party activists and also black conservatives seemingly miss that point: political activism must be coupled with community activism if smaller government is going to work 50 years post-[Lyndon B.] Johnson Great Society."

McAllister added that he believes that the focus shouldn't be on whether there are more black people in the tea party movement, but on a "smaller government, bigger people" approach. He argues that the tea party movement has focused a lot on the first half of the equation and not enough on the latter part, in articulating how smaller government remedies issues like black student achievement, single-parent households, crime, and entrepreneurship. "The issue is taking the message and crafting it to people who grew up in urban conditions and who deal with government", McAllister said. "And if you don't have a way to take the tea party movement and make it tangible to Charlotte, to Chicago, and other places, then that's a problem. You have to be able to cross that bridge."

A controversy has erupted over whether former Congressman and presidential candidate Tom Tancredo burned that potential bridge during his convention speech at the recent National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tenn. Tancredo drew accusations of racism when he stated that Obama was elected partly because "we do not have a civics, literacy test before people can vote....People who could not even spell the word 'vote' or say it in English put a committed socialist ideologue in the White House."

Jackson asserts that Tancredo's comments merely described much of the American electorate, and he supports such a voter litmus test. "Most of the people who vote are white, so he wasn't talking about black people. But if he were, I think it's a good thing that all voters have a basic literacy standard."

However, McAllister takes issue with Tancredo's comments. "Who determines the level of literacy, if you're a citizen? That's your right as an American", he said. "Somebody died for you to have that right, should you choose to exercise it. Sometimes it's that one issue that pushes you to vote. Putting in a civics standard and say we can't vote is wrong. Any African-American who believes so needs to take a look at history."

In response to critics who charge that Tancredo's comments demonstrate that the Tea Party movement has racist motives, Miller stated, "A truly racist movement would not have embraced me and other black Tea Party activists so enthusiastically. Yes, there are fringe elements that are probably racist, but they aren't the entire Tea Party movement - not even close", he said. "People come up to me at these rallies and thank me for my courage, because they know I'm going to catch hell from the black community for not falling in line. From where I sit, the liberals are the ones who keep bringing up race, not the tea party movement. We emphasize what brings us all together, not what separates us."

McAllister said that the media tends to show the more colorful and racially charged characters, but the average activist is a regular American. "People see and hear the extreme views of harsh constitutionalists, the 'Don't Tread Of Me' flags, and few black people. The media focuses on the fringes", he said. "In the middle are veterans, and people who are the grandparents of black children. I've seen it personally. For every instance of racism that I've seen and addressed personally, there are many more people who want to include African-Americans and have more dialogue." He added that a next step is "if the Tea Party movement is able to exemplify that more, then it can be even more effective than it's been today."

Jackson believes that the Tea Party movement's next steps should be to continue organizing to get conservatives on the ballot for this year's mid-term elections and "vetting to make sure they are real conservatives like Scott Brown".

McAllister envisions a long-term goal for the movement: sustainability. He contends that Tea Party activists must ensure "a platform of solutions that touches the communities where its policies will, one, most impact America to allow the viability of goals to be met; and, two, allow the tea party movement to be sustained and not just be a trend."

Angela McGlowan, a tea party circuit speaker who earlier this week left a position as a FOX News political commentator to formally announce that she's running for Congress in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District, has black Tea Party activists hopeful that it will lead to more visibility of black conservatives. Miller, who personally knows McGlowan, is excited about her bid for political office. "A new generation of black leaders from the center-right is coming onto the scene, and it's refreshing to see them unafraid to take a public stand for their beliefs

Congratulations to the Saints!!

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints!!

President Obama at GOP retreat part 1

President Obama hands the GOP their behinds.

President Obama at GOP retreat Part 2

Controversial Tea Party convention aims to boost the movement

(CNN) - What's being billed as the first national Tea Party convention opens its doors Thursday night amid widespread interest and some controversy.

Organizers hope the three-day event will help strengthen the year-old anti-big-government movement. On its Web site, organizer Tea Party Nation says the event is "aimed at bringing the Tea Party Movement leaders together from around the nation for the purpose of networking and supporting the movement's multiple organizations' principal goals."

But there has been pushback against the convention and its organizers from both outsiders and some in the movement because of Tea Party Nation's for-profit status and because the price of entry attendees have paid for access to the workshops and seminars being held through Saturday.

Red State blogger Erick Erickson wrote that while he has good things to say about some groups within the Tea Party, "this national tea party convention smells scammy."


Mark Meckler said he and Jenny Beth Martin, co-founders of the Tea Party Patriots, aren't participating in the convention because "it wasn't the kind of grass-roots organization that we are, so we declined to participate."

Organizers say some 600 people have paid $549 each to attend the convention and that the event is sold out. But they add that tickets costing $349 are still available for Saturday night's banquet, where former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will give the convention's keynote address.

Sherry Phillips, who along with her husband, Nashville attorney Judson Phillips, founded Tea Party Nation, said earlier this week in a message to supporters that "we fully expect to break even at this event. We may even make a few thousand dollars to cover local operating costs of TPN."

Phillips also fired back at her critics, saying, "We never did this to make us rich or famous. Quite the contrary, we are patriots who love our country, our members and the people who are coming to Nashville to attend this great event."

As for Palin, neither the convention organizers nor a spokeswoman for the former governor would confirm reports that the former governor is getting paid around $100,000 for her keynote appearance.

"I will not benefit financially from speaking at this event," Palin said in a statement this week. "Any compensation for my appearance will go right back to the cause."

As controversy surrounds the convention, tensions have been rising among Tea Party activists. Rival factions are battling over who will carry the Tea Party banner, and others worry that powerful groups are "Astroturfing" what they think should remain a grass-roots group.

Last week two major speakers scheduled for the convention dropped out of the lineup. Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota announced that they would not attend the convention, which is being held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville.

Blackburn was scheduled to serve as a featured speaker and introduce Palin. Bachman was scheduled to serve as one of the convention's kickoff speakers. Both are strong supporters of the Tea Party movement.

Both said the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct advised them not to participate because of the convention's for-profit status. And both said the canceling of their speeches is not a sign that their commitment to the Tea Party movement is fading.

But speeches from top conservative politicians are not the focus of the convention. Panels, sessions and workshops appear to be the bread and butter of this event. Among the sessions scheduled for Friday are ones on how to conduct voter registration drives and where to find conservative votes, women in politics, how to organize a Tea Party group, how to involve youth in the conservative movement, grass-roots "on the ground," how to unite state Tea Party groups, technology in the Tea Party movement, and why Christians must engage.

"This convention is a way to galvanize the conservative movement in a way that the general rallies do not," said Mark Skoda, who's serving as spokesman for the convention and who will be leading the panel on technology in the movement.

–CNN's Kristi Keck contributed to this report

Anti-Obama Protesters in Tampa

I know this is old news by now. I'm very late, but the Black Man has been busy.

Last week The President and Vice President came here to Tampa to hold a town hall meeting. Just so happened I had to drive by the University of Tampa that day, which meant I got to see all the anti-Obama protesters. What struck me the most was all the old white guys I saw protesting. Many were carrying signs with the usual right-wing slogans. You know the ones calling the President a Socialist or Marxist. I'm willing to bet my next paycheck that none of them would know a REAL socialist if one were to hit them up side the head with one their silly signs.

So here we have a bunch of retirees living off social security, medicare and their pensions (because they were able to stay at one job long enough to actually have one, and they retired before corporations started cutting back or eliminating pensions and replacing them with 401K's)in the streets protesting against a President and policies that he's trying to put in to place in order to ensure younger generations of Americans can enjoy the same security that they enjoy now.

Real good guys....Real good.

I don't agree with Obama 100% of time, and I am concerned about some of the spending I see going on in Washington. However I think it's just plain hypocritical to protest against "Big Government" while you're living off it at the same time. I guess they figure they got theirs......

Alpha Phi Alpha to send humanitarian mission to Haiti

Fraternity to assess situation, develop long-term support plan

BALTIMORE--Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the world’s oldest intercollegiate Greek-lettered organization of African Americans, will send a team of its members on a humanitarian mission, next week, February 1 - 5, to provide assistance to families of their members in Haiti. The delegation of Alpha men will also assess the situation and evaluate the need for long-term assistance and support for the Haitian people.

Leading this fact-finding mission will be Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr, (national) general president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mason will be joined by several members of the fraternity who are practitioners in the health and medical fields. This team of brothers will add to the fraternity members who are already in Port-Au-Prince working with the U.S. military and non-governmental organizations.

“We have a brother who is a doctor on the USNS Comfort working to save lives, and we have brothers who are on the ground too,” said Mason. “Our goal with this mission is to reinforce our powerful ties to this impoverished country, and help our members’ families there who have been impacted. If we can help them get back on their feet, they can in turn help others and the country as a whole.”

During this humanitarian trip brothers will explore ways to continue working in Haiti--including providing future medical support and participating in the rebuilding of the infrastructure.

Alpha’s main assignment in Haiti will be to locate and provide assistance to families of Alpha members affected by the earthquake. Brothers will also tour the capital city to see firsthand the scope of the damage and assess ways to participate in the rebuilding process, and also volunteer at a local mobile hospital where those with medical expertise on the trip can assist.

While raising over $25,000 for its Haiti disaster relief effort, the fraternity is also planning to “adopt” a school in Haiti. The organization sees this as a great opportunity for the first black intercollegiate fraternity to stand in solidarity with the first independent black Republic. Haiti will continue to need assistance after the aid workers have left and Alpha promises to position itself in such a way to help Haiti in the short term and in the years to come.

“As a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha who was born in Haiti, I am extremely proud of the work that Alpha has begun,” said Brother Sam Darguin, a Haitian-born member of the fraternity. “With the skills and talent of brothers within the fraternity I am confident that Haiti will benefit greatly. This is truly a demonstration of our organization living up to its motto of being, ‘servants of all and love for all mankind.’ ”

Other members of the delegation include: Joseph Gambrell, M.D.; Maurice Gilbert, M.D.; Ronald Peters, DrPH., associate professor, University of Texas Health Science Center and School of Public Health; Ricardo R. Jefferson, attorney at law and native of the Dominican Republic; U. Grant Baldwin, Jr., mental health social worker; Samuel Karl Darguin, partnership specialist, U.S Census Bureau; Jean McGianni Celestin, business development manager, writer and activist; Ferrel "FC" Bonner, cyber-security practitioner and information-security officer; and Bryan J. A. Kelly, director of communications for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Adopting Haitan Children

Black Man Wonders are there any black families adopting Haitian Children? Every night I watch CNN and all I see are white families that have adopted these kids. Not that I'm upset about that. All that's important is that these kids are taken in to loving homes no matter what color the adoptive parents are. I'm just wondering where our folks are.....

Some folks are never satisfied

Danny Glover is on Democracy Now! lamenting the presence of US military personnel in Haiti. The US is damned if they do and damned if they don't. My question is if not the US military then who? The Haitian government appears to be totally overwhelmed and non functioning at this point.

Looking for opportunity at IBM? Big Blue is hiring – in India :: The Skinny at Local Tech Wire

Looking for opportunity at IBM? Big Blue is hiring – in India :: The Skinny at Local Tech Wire