Sean Hannity for President

Sean Hannity hints about a desire to run for the presidency in 2012 and the right-wing wackos start having orgasms. It truly scares me that there are folks in the country who feel Sean Hannity and his Fox News mentality is the right person to serve as our President of the United States.

WorldNetDaily founder Joseph Farah (shown in photo) shared the following message with his followers:

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Much of America is eagerly awaiting mid-term elections next year and presidential elections in 2012 so we can stop and reverse the destructive policies of Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress.

Yet, we all know it takes something to beat something.

Republicans have not offered much in the way of an alternative vision. Nor have they even been willing and able to jump on the tidal wave of opposition that has spontaneously erupted across the country as a result of their adversaries' arrogance and their perversion of American ideals.

I think many Americans share my longing for new leadership to emerge.

We're looking for people of strong, unshakeable convictions to the principles that made America great. We're looking for people who don't desire a career in politics so much as an opportunity to serve their country. We're looking for people who can articulate their beliefs boldly. We're looking for people who actually like America and Americans.

Last week, radio talk-show host, Fox News commentator and best-selling author Sean Hannity just offered the slightest hint that he might consider a bid for the presidency.

I can tell you that he instantly became my pick.

Hannity brings a lot to the table, besides a big audience and the ability to communicate effectively.

He was not a child of privilege. He worked hard to make something of himself. He knew many lean times as he struggled to make it in the highly competitive field of talk radio. He learned that America works for those who work hard. And he sincerely wants to preserve that kind of America for his own children – and their children.

Hannity is a nice guy – and it shows. He has Reaganesque qualities and the ability to inspire people with hope, confidence and a vision of a better way to get things done.

Hannity knows what he believes, and he knows it deep down in his soul. He's got unflagging inner convictions – the kind needed to stand up to the compromising pressures of Washington.

Hannity has made many friends in his careers in radio and TV. That is important because he can be a uniter, a unifier. Every other Republican presidential candidate seeks his favor. But he begins with a constituency of millions who listen to him and watch him daily.

Hannity would be a formidable candidate.

Do I agree with him on everything?

No.

I don't agree with anyone on everything – with the possible exception of my wife. And she steadfastly refuses to run.

But I could get excited about a Sean Hannity candidacy. I could get excited about a Sean Hannity presidency. I even hear he has a birth certificate.

However, it is difficult for successful people like Hannity to risk everything, to put all they have worked hard for on the line, to give up multi-million-dollar contracts so they can beg others for money to help them win the most important office in the world.

It's a tough choice. Sean Hannity is at the top of his game. He's wealthy. He's influential. He's comfortable. And he's having fun doing what he's doing. Hannity loves his job. Giving it up would be a tremendous sacrifice.

He will need a lot of encouragement to step into this breach.

So that is what I am offering here.

I like Sean Hannity.

I respect Sean Hannity.

He's a righteous man.

He has all the ingredients of a good leader – a great leader.

And America is very much in need of a great leader.

I hope other Americans will join me in offering him encouragement to consider this mission – and consider it very seriously.

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Media Matters notes that WND and Farah have repeatedly pushed the conspiracy theory that Obama does not have a valid birth certificate and was born in Kenya. Hannity himself has advanced and defended birth certificate theories.

Villager's Voice: Personally, I think that a Republican primary season with Sean Hannity and Sarah Palin as major candidates would be a hoot! One of the best things about Hannity being a candidate is that he would have to give up his radio and television show. That alone makes it worthwhile in my view.

What say u about a Hannity for President effort?

Blackonomic$: Can't We All Get Along?

Blackonomics
By: James Clingman

Can’t we all get along?
Looks like Rodney King is living in the White House these days, y’all. Before you start writing your letters and e-mails to me for having the nerve to say something negative about our President, consider our current situation. We need to open our eyes and our minds to the reality of politics, once and for all, by understanding the nature of the beast.

You’ve heard the story about the frog that the scorpion get on his back for a ride across the pond. The frog said he would do it if the scorpion would not sting him. The scorpion assured the frog he would not harm him in return for the ride across the water. When they reached the other side, the scorpion stung the frog; and as the frog lay dying he said, “You promised you wouldn’t sting me,” to which the scorpion replied, “I was just being true to my nature.”

Lying, backstabbing, grandstanding, accepting bribes, assassinating one’s character, cheating, stealing, cursing, and fighting are among the characteristics on display among many of our politicians. In other words they are a mirror of society in general. Too often we hold them up as paragons of integrity, ethics, and morality, only to be let down when they fall from grace.

We send them to Washington with more financial security than most of us could ever dream of having, and they pass laws that adversely affect us but have no effect on their lives. They debate Social Security and healthcare but are not required to participate in the same programs they legislate for us. They determine how we will live, without having to be subjected to those same rules, and without having to pay a price for being wrong. What a life, huh?

Now we have a President who seems to think he can change the political landscape; he seems to believe that hundreds of years of political gamesmanship can be swept aside, and common sense will prevail. He subscribes to the notion that all he has to do is make a speech, do a town hall meeting, or an interview explaining his agenda, and all will be well in Washington and in this country. He seems to be asking the Rodney King question over and over again. And coming from the President of the Untied States, someone who knows how politics works, it sounds even more ridiculous.

Barack Obama was swept into office by a riptide of emotion, hope, and exasperation at the previous eight years. He was ballyhooed and ushered in on the fragile wings of instant stardom and fame, so much so that it seems he even believed the hype. But, now that he is in office, and the crazies have come out of woodwork, he finds himself having to respond to the ire of many of the same folks who hailed him as their new chief on January 20, 2009.

Obama is busy plugging holes is the dike and is fast running out of fingers. He was forced to take time to have a beer with two guys who had a spat, and offered it to us as a teachable moment that would demonstrate we can indeed all get along. He is on the road explaining his healthcare plan, trying desperately to get his opponents to get on board and get along with him as well. He is attempting to be all things to all people, albeit disciplinary when it comes to Black people; but that’s another article. All of this in his utopian endeavor to have us all get along.

Memo to President Barack Obama: After Rodney King was beaten senseless by those police officers, all he could utter is “Can’t we all get along?” All he could muster the nerve to say before the cameras of the world, before a public shocked beyond their imagination at what happened to him, recorded for everyone to see, was “Can’t we all get along?” It was his time to shine, his time to teach, his time to enlighten; but he blew it big time and squandered his fifteen minutes of fame with that immature, naïve, rhetorical question.

In this country, Mr. President, as you well know, the political system of which you are now at least the titular leader is a system grounded in rancor and adversity, a system that wreaks of discord, a system comprising childlike adults who always want their way, and a system based on a 250-year struggle for the ultimate aphrodisiac: power. You are in charge of a system whose participants have fought like cats and dogs over every little thing, and now you pose the question, “Can’t we all get along.

After years of being beat up, all while watching it take place before our eyes on the evening news; most of the folks who elected you are not down with the Rodney King inquiry. We expect much more from you. Get some backbone, stand up to the political thugs and do the right thing. Don’t go down as simply a “big-baller,” be a true “shot-caller.” And how about looking out for Black folks every now and then too? After all, you are the President.

Politicians have been battling for centuries, and have demonstrated in no uncertain terms that the answer to the question, Can’t we all get along?” is an emphatic, unequivocal, unapologetic, “NO.

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James E. Clingman, an adjunct professor in the University of Cincinnati's African American Studies Department, is former editor of the Cincinnati Herald newspaper and founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce. He hosts the radio program ''Blackonomics'' and has written several books. To book Clingman for a speech or to purchase his books, go to his Web site or call him at (513)489-4132.

Coroner Rules 'Homicide' in Taser Death of Jamaal Valentine

The Galveston County medical examiner ruled that 27-year old Jamaal Valentine's taser-related death on May 17th was a homicide. The grand jury is hearing the case this week to determine whether or not criminal charges should be filed against the the three La Marque (TX) police officers that tasered and beat Valentine to death. [SOURCE]

Jamaal Valentine’s death certificate shows that his death was caused by “blunt head trauma during police restraint.”

Valentine had high levels of PCP and cocaine in his system. Other factors in Valentine’s death included an enlarged heart as well as a lifelong heart defect, the medical examiner wrote on the death certificate.

Written witness accounts dispute police reports that Valentine was shocked just once with a Taser. Several witnesses said Valentine was shocked repeatedly, mostly while he already was in handcuffs.

Valentine died after he wrestled with three La Marque police officers as they attempted to arrest him. Motorists called police, saying they saw Valentine walking down Main Street in La Marque and acting erratically. One witness told investigators and The Daily News that Valentine approached his car and asked for help because he thought he was having a heart attack.

Valentine is one of 34 people killed in taser-related situations this year. The homicide ruling by the coroner is rare ... but, this is the second one in the past week or so.

Hasanni Campbell's Foster Dad Released from Jail

I've watched too many episodes of Law & Order and CSI. It is my understanding that the police and the district attorney work together. I thought that the police didn't arrest folks in high-profile cases without prior approval of the district attorney's office.

Not the case with the Oakland police and the Alameda County District Attorney's office. The DA's office released both foster parents of Hasanni Campbell, a missing 5-year-old boy, saying there is not enough evidence to charge them.

The foster father, Louis Ross, will be released this week. His fiancée, Jennifer Campbell, was freed on Tuesday. Oakland police had arrested the couple last Friday, apparently in the hopes that they would incriminate themselves. But, Campbell refused to talk to investigators. It's not clear whether Ross was cooperative.




In the meantime ... the Lakeesha Alert remains open for little Hasanni. Please pray for him ... and pass along the word that we want him found!

Taser Death: Rickey Massey (Panama City, FL)

It happened again ... 42 weeks into the calendar year and we're reporting on the 42nd taser-related death in America! This time police in Panama City FL used their taser gun to kill 38-year old Rickey Massey on Friday, September 2. [SOURCE]

Two Panama City Police officers (A.C. Llorens and Michael McCrary)and two Bay County Sheriff’s deputies (Steve Retherford and Ray Scott), all of whom are part of the Bay Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Squad (BADGES), stopped a vehicle Friday afternoon when they saw that one of the vehicle’s occupants was “consuming an unknown amount of what appeared to be narcotics,” officials said in a news release.




The two Panama City police officers attempted to prevent the man from “consuming or destroying” what turned out to be a large amount of crack cocaine, and they began to struggle, officials said late Friday.

One of the Panama City officers pulled out his Taser gun and used it to stun the man in what is known as a “drive stun,” the release said. In a drive stun, the probe cartridge is removed from the Taser before use; the device is then pressed against the subject and used.

By design, the Taser can be used in 5-second blasts only; however, officials said late Friday they did not yet know if the man was stunned more than once. After the altercation ended, officers realized Massey was in need of medical attention and rushed him to the hospital, officials said. He later died.

The medical examiner’s office will perform an autopsy as early as today to determine the cause of death.

The two Panama City officers were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation, officials said. Panama City officials have asked Florida’s Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the death, said Deputy Chief Robert Colbert.

“I think everyone involved would agree that this is an unfortunate sequence of events that, if it were at all possible, we would liked to have avoided,” Colbert said. “However, you do have an individual that became combative with law enforcement, and officers are required to react.”

It appears that the Panama City police department loves to use their taser guns. They tasered another guy on the same day as well!

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Villager's Voice: There are a couple of things that I notice about the police press release. First, they are quick to focus on the 'druggie' angle of the story. I guess that using a taser on a drug user is justifiable in the minds of the police. Second, this is the second time in recent weeks that this term, "drive stun" is being used. Can anyone share more information on what it takes to turn a taser gun into a 'drive stun' gun?

Top 10 Black Blogs (Sep 2009)

Here is our updated Villager's Black Blog Rankings (BBR) for September 2009. This month's BBR is unique. For the first time in two years we have less Black-owned and Black-operated blogs on the list than the previous month. I imagine there many bloggers gave up using blogs to share their thoughts in cyberspace in favor of social networks like Twitter or Facebook.

Villagers, I need your help. If you are a blogger ... please share a post on your blog about your inclusion in this month's BBR. Let them know where you stand now ... and what your goal is for some set time in the future. Secondly, if you see that your score is either not updated ... or not included ... please use the COMMENTS (or 'VILLAGE VOICES') option at the conclusion of this post to let me know. I'll make the correction as quickly as possible.

Please note that any blog that has not been updated in the past 120 days is now shown at the bottom of the list (in alpha order). I encourage those blog owners to ensure that they 'ping' their blog with Technorati in order to be placed back in order with the other blogs. If the blogs are not updated after 180 days ... they will be purged from the BBR. Also, any blog for which I can no longer locate a valid URL (link) will be purged from the BBR

A'ight ... here is what you came for ... the September 2009 Black Blog Rankings (BBR) with 1,747 Black-owned and operated blogs ... down 19 from the last published BBR. We had five blogs changing their ranking in the BBR Top Ten this month. In addition, a sixth blog -- Necole Bitchie (BBR #10) -- returns to the BBR Top Ten for the first time since Janurary 2009.

We recognize that not every Black-owned & operated blog is on our current list! Please let me know if you see a blog that should be added to the BBR.

Top Ten Black Blogs for September 2009:

1. Pam Spaulding: Pam's House Blend (Authority: 605 / Rank: 1,505) - [Politics] Pam is a major voice in the LGBT community. She was a presenter at the recently-concluded Netroots Nation convention held in Pittsburgh. Pam's blog continues in the BBR #1 for the 15th month in a row. Pam is a role model for many Black bloggers ... including me!


2. Ahsmi Rawlins: Nah Right (Authority: 532 / Rank: 1,934) - [Entertainment] Ashmi (a.k.a., ESKAY) is the top-ranked gossip or entertainment blog on our list. Vibe.com claims that Nah Right is the 'The Best Rap Blog'. Eskay launched his blog in May 2005 from his home state of New York.


3. The Bossip: Bossip.com (Authority: 387 / Rank: 3,435) - [Entertainment] Moguldom Media Group, which owns Bossip, is run by a powerful sister named Marve Frazier. Ms. Frazier recently launched a new venture called HipHopVenture. Does anyone have a digital photo of Ms. Frazier?


4. Wayne Bennett: The Field Negro (Authority: 278 / Rank: 4,498) - [Social Commentary] This blog moved up a spot since last month. This is the highest ranking for Field Negro since we started these rankings two years ago. Wayne was recently a guest on the Michael Eric Dyson radio show. His blog is hard-hitting in its social commentary ... and the sidebar insights are almost as compelling as the posts. Finally, the success of this blog should be noted by all of us that still use *free* blog templates like Blogger or Wordpress.


5. Renee Martin: Womanist Musings (Authority: 270 / Rank: 6,135) - [Social Commentary] Womanist Musings came to being in April 2008 to speak truth to power. The majority of the topics deal with people that are marginalized ... that society has a tendency to ignore. There is no subject too controversial. Regular features of this blog are Drop It Like Its Hot and Sunday Shame. Hmmm, I hope that we can convince Sis. Renee to add us to her blogroll!


6. Oliver Willis: Oliver Willis (Authority: 261 / Rank: 6,460) - [Politics] Oliver Willis has written about politics, current events and pop culture at his web site since 2000. Profiled in the Boston Globe, Baseline Magazine and cited in The Washington Post he prides himself on being "Like Kryptonite To Stupid". Willis works in the technology department of Media Matters for America.


7. Angel Laws: Concrete Loop (Authority: 252 / Rank: 6,823) - [Entertainment] Angel Laws - Angel, 24, is the creator and editor of the award winning blog Concrete Loop. She is also a part-time photographer who shared blogging tips with the folks at the 2009 Blogging While Brown conference.


8. Natasha Eubanks: Young, Black & Fabulous (Authority: 246 / Rank: 7,057) - [Entertainment] Natasha Eubanks jumped up one spot in this month's BBR. Natasha is the writer, editor and perhaps the most famous African American entertainment/gossip blogger in the world. The YBF is the product of her obsession with all that is Hollywood and celebrity. Learn more about Natasha from this wonderful blogger interview conducted by Thembisa Mshaka.


9. Baratunde Thurston and Cheryl Contee: Jack and Jill Politics (Authority: 235 / Rank: 7,591) - [Politics] Cheryl and Baratunde have grown in visibility as their blog as grown in stature. They were both stars at the 2009 Netroots Nation convention held last month in Pittsburgh. Baratunde interviewed Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett. Cheryl urged journalists, bloggers and activists to "partner with organizations and coalitions, while challenging racism in the media. Use social media, blogs, Facebook and Twitter. Create alliances. Go around the media. Create you own media. Send it out." Meanwhile, Baratunde has been named one of the Top 50 Funny People on Twitter. Does anyone know the backstory on the half-eaten watermelon that serves as their logo?


10. Necole Bitchie: Necole Bitchie (Authority: 171 / Rank: 12,149) - [Entertainment] Necole is one of the few Black bloggers making a career from her blog. NecoleBitchie.com is one of the fastest growing urban celebrity blogs on the Internet. She is also sharing information on YouTube. However, not everyone is a fan. Necole is having the last laugh as her blog is in the BBR Top Ten, while the celebrity hatin' blog is only BBR #739.

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HONORABLE MENTION (11-25): Living Life Abundantly, Sandra Rose, Aloha Nico, RaceWire, The Black Snob, Rod 2.0: Beta, The Black Sphere, The Daily Voice, La Shawn Barber's Corner, RealTalkNY Brought to You by Nigel D., Fly, African Path, Black and Missing But Not Forgotten, Soul'd On Music and Crunk & Disorderly.

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This ranking is open to any blogger of African descent who owns/operates a blog. Villager's Black Blog Rankings lean heavily on the Technorati Authority and Rank score for each blog. The Technorati authority and rank numbers are shown in parenthesis. The authority figure includes a number of factors including the number of blogs that are linked to this blogger over the past six months. The rank number indicates how many blogs are between the one listed and The Huffington Post, which is the #1 overall blog in the universe.

There are hyperlinks on the Word version of the Villager's Black Blog Rankings. Leave a COMMENT using the VILLAGE VOICE link below if you want a copy of the Word version. In the meantime, I encourage you to share some link-love with this post so that your blog readers know about us!

Wordless Wednesday: Station Fire (Los Angeles CA)

City of Memphis Says 'No' to Taser Guns

Perhaps the tide is beginning to turn. It seems that the Memphis City Council turned down a request by the Memphis Police Department to purchase additional taser guns. In fact, the council seeks to retire use of the three current tasers being acquired by Police Chief Elena Danishevskaya in 2006.

At their most recent meeting the council once again shunned the electroshock weapons - capable of immobilizing subjects via a 50,000-volt discharge - as an option for the city's officers.

"My feeling, still, is that tasers for this department is not for us," Mayor Charles Garber said.

The public debate on the benefits of tasers versus the costs ... such as the 32 people killed in taser-related incidents this year ... or the lawsuits (e.g.,the city of Warren is currently a defendant in two separate lawsuits concerning taser usage by police officers - one claiming that the excessive force ultimately led to the death of an unarmed 16-year-old, and another wherein the defendant claims that during a diabetic emergency he was victimized by a taser incident and a false arrest).

Referring to the Warren lawsuits, Memphis Mayor Charles Garber said city couldn't afford the risks associated with taser usage.

"There are two suits right now ... where in fact somebody has died after being tasered. It is not necessarily the Taser itself but the medical problems that they had prior to being tasered. I don't think we can afford the lawsuits and that is my personal opinion," he said.

"I'll try to keep an open mind but I agree with the mayor. I don't think we should have Tasers in the city of Memphis. I really have a problem with it. Things have come out in the paper. I know that doesn't happen very often but, for me, once is too much," Councilman Larry Wilson said, alluding to Taser-related deaths.

"I really couldn't support it."

Good for you Memphis!
I hope that other cities will use commonsense as they consider whether or not to purchase taser guns. It doesn't make sense to purchase a non-lethal weapon that seems to kill at least one person each week. Perhaps it is time for our national leaders to have a dialogue similiar to the one that took place in Memphis this week. Please sign our online petition asking for congressional hearings on taser torture in America.

Taser Lawsuit: Michael Jacobs (Ft. Worth, TX)

The City of Fort Worth and police officer Stephanie Phillips have been slapped with a lawsuit of at least $75,000 for the wrongful taser-related death of 24-year old Michael Jacobs, Jr. [VIDEO REPORT]

The lawsuit cites the coroner's report which states; "....Phillips advised the decedent that if he did not calm down and comply with her directions, she would have to use her Taser device on him; he replied reportedly, 'Go ahead, I've always wanted to see what that feels like anyway.' "

According to the autopsy report, Phillips shocked Jacobs for 49-seconds, paused one second, and then shocked him five more seconds.

The autopsy report states Phillips; "...unknowingly kept the Taser trigger engaged for an unknown amount of time when she first applied the Taser, thus increasing the pre-programmed shock duration cycle of five seconds."

Villager's Voice: It does appear that Officer Phillips' was poorly trained in the use of her taser gun. Synch that finding with the one made by the medical examiner that Jacobs' taser death was 'homicide' and you have a pretty clear case against the city of Ft. Worth. Methinks that they should work to settle this out of court.

Hasanni Campbell's Aunt/Foster Mom to be Released

Jennifer Campbell is the aunt and foster mother of 5-year old Hasanni Campbell ... the missing 5-year old boy who police now believe is dead. The district attorney doesn't have enough evidence to charge Jennifer Campbell as an accessory in Hasanni's murder ... so she is scheduled to be released today [SOURCE].

Ted Kennedy on Health Care Reform

"This is the cause of my life. It is a key reason that I defied my illness last summer to speak at the Democratic convention in Denver — to support Barack Obama, but also to make sure, as I said, "that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American ... will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not just a privilege." For four decades I have carried this cause — from the floor of the United States Senate to every part of this country. It has never been merely a question of policy; it goes to the heart of my belief in a just society. Now the issue has
more meaning for me — and more urgency — than ever before. But it's always been deeply personal, because the importance of health care has been a recurrent lesson throughout most of my 77 years.

— Ted Kennedy

Sunday Inspirations: God and the Scientist

God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him,"Lord, we don't need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing. In other words, we can now do what you did in the 'beginning'."

"Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God.

"Well", says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of you and breathe life into it, thus creating man."

"Well, that's interesting. Show Me," said God.

So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil.

"Oh no, no, no...." interrupts God, "Get your own dirt."

Sunday Inspirations is the meme created by Sojourner in honor of her Mother. This is just one way to help get us through the week ahead, the trials we may face, and yes, to say Thank Ya and testify! I hope that you participate and share with us your Sunday Inspirations. Your weekly contribution may very well be the inspiration that someone else may need and has been looking for.

The Rules:

1. Anyone can participate.


2. You may post a video, poem, religious verse, song, story, picture, ANYTHING that has given you inspiration and the motivation to go on. Just make sure not to offend anyone.


3. Add your name to the meme list so others can be inspired.
4. Be and get inspired and be sure to comment.

Katrina: Four Years Later

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck Florida and the Gulf Coast, breached New Orleans’ levees in multiple locations and flooded 80 percent of the city. For days thousands of mostly Black residents languished on rooftops, in leaky boat flotillas, and in flooded government buildings and civic centers. The storm killed more than 1,800 people and left the city of New Orleans a shell of its former self. Damage estimates hover around $80 billion. Four years later rebuilding continues.

One of the positive outgrowths of the devastation is that the New Orleans public school system is substantially improved from its horrible situation in advance of Katrina.

There is evidence of the growing success of the schools in many areas. First, the city attracted a nationally known reformer, superintendent Paul Vallas, and so many teachers that it has 10 applicants for every opening. Second, New Orleans now spends twice as much as it did before Katrina -- $15,500 per pupil –- far above the national average.

The proof is in the pudding: Scores have risen on both state and national exams.

The Obama administration recently provided New Orleans’ HBCU, Southern University, with $32 million to replace four hurricane-damaged buildings.

The Brookings Institution and the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center summarize their report as follows:

"The nation’s deepening economic recession has produced dissolution and despair across the country as many communities grapple with the social and economic ramifications of massive layoffs, prolonged unemployment, shuttered businesses, and home foreclosures. By contrast, rebuilding from the woes caused by Hurricane Katrina has helped cushion greater New Orleans from the ravages of the downturn. As New Orleans ends its fourth year since the hurricane and levee failures, the region has been buoyed by post-disaster recovery efforts and its fortunate industry mix."

The release entitled ‘The New Orleans Anniversary Edition: Four Years after Katrina’, says Congress and the Obama leadership must commit and sustain its partnership with Louisiana state and local leaders by “delivering on key milestones in innovation, infrastructure, human capital and sustainable communities to help greater New Orleans move past 'disaster recovery' and boldly build a more prosperous future”.

The 24-page 'New Orleans Index' documents some key findings that include:

• The New Orleans economy is weathering the recession relatively well due in part to its industry composition. The New Orleans metro area lost 0.9 percent of its jobs since last June, compared to the 4.1 percent lost nationally. The industries hardest hit — manufacturing and construction — comprise relatively small shares of the New Orleans economy and since last June have shed few jobs. The four largest sectors of the region’s economy — trade and transportation, government, leisure and hospitality, and education and health services — either stagnated or added jobs. The New Orleans metro area’s unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent while it climbed to 9.5 percent for the nation.
  
• Ongoing rebuilding activities are attracting people, jobs, and investments, further shoring up the greater New Orleans economy. New Orleans added more than 8,500 households (actively receiving mail) in the past year, the biggest one-year expansion since 2007, reflecting a mix of new and returning residents. While home rebuilding has slowed dramatically since 2007, post-disaster infrastructure investments in the levee system, schools, police stations and other public facilities have continued apace. Since July 2008, FEMA has paid over $800 million for infrastructure repair projects across the five-parish area. In the city of New Orleans, 94 facilities and public works projects were completed as of April 2009, and 113 more were under construction.
  
• Yet New Orleans is not immune from the economic crisis. Like many metropolitan areas, the housing market has stalled, with home sales down 39 percent and new construction down 48 percent. The slowdown in consumer spending has contributed to a plunge in city sales tax revenues with 21 percent fewer receipts from general sales, motel/hotel stays, and motor vehicle purchases in April and 6 percent fewer receipts in May compared to the previous year.
  
• Further, massive blight, affordable housing for low-income workers, and significant flood risk remain the area’s major challenges. While there are fewer unoccupied residences in Orleans, St. Bernard and Jefferson parishes this year, the scale of blight remains high— 65,888, 14,372, and 11,516 residences, respectively — posing significant challenges for local governments. Steep rent increases have abated, but at 40 percent higher than pre-Katrina, rents remain out of reach for many critical workers. Typical rent for an efficiency apartment is $733 per month, unaffordable for food preparation, health care support, and retail sales workers.

According to a 'Katrina Pain Index, the Louisiana landscape is dotted by nearly 2,000 temporary FEMA trailers (many of them contaminated and uninhabitable) 65,888 unoccupied residences and countless weed-filled lots and molding houses. The murder rate in New Orleans topped all cities nationwide last year, although the overall rate of violent crime dropped in the city in 2007 and 2008.

Engineering and construction work rebuilding Louisiana after Katrina has cushioned unemployment at 6.8%. The nation’s rate is 9.4%. Still the state ranks No. 2 in the nation for the highest jobless rate (13.2%) among African Americans and people living in poverty trailing Mississippi, despite billions in post-Katrina recovery dollars.

Nearly a third of the city’s children live in poverty. The vast majority of these children live in single-parent homes; many are being raised by siblings, foster parents or are on their own.

Recently Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) told her congressional colleagues that it is high time to get serious and get beyond just talking about doing something to help the people of New Orleans.

“Four years after Hurricane Katrina we still have individuals living in trailers, seeking additional benefits, dispersed throughout the country in unfamiliar cities, and disconnected from their families, friends and their hometown.”

Some online activists feel that we need to take actions that will prevent a future where disasters like Katrina become the norm. They want to see President Obama push for a strong clean energy bill that seeks to correct long-term structural energy issues.

The images from Hurricane Katrina are painful. They remind us that America is willing to abandon an entire city when it was inconvenient to save them. We saw images of desperation, racism and hopelessness.

Nothing happens as quickly as we want. Four years later we see rays of light -- new levees, new buildings, returning residents, grassroots organizers and achieving school children. Methinks that we have a chance to see New Orleans regaining its worldwide gleam if we stay the course.

I would be interested to see what villagers have to say about New Orleans: Four Years After Hurricane Katrina...

How Long Does a Taser-Related Autopsy Take to Complete?

I guess I'm spoiled. I've seen the medical examiners from major cities like Las Vegas, Miami and New York complete the autopsy process with quickness. I've learned that if a victim is Jewish then the coroner works to complete the autopsy within the first 24 hours.

It boggles my mind that it takes coroner's in other cities so long to complete the autopsy process when a taser-related victim is laid out in front of them. For example, 17-year old Derek Jones died in January 8, 2009 after being tased by a local police officer in Martinsville, VA ... a town of only 14,543 people. It's a small town. However, authorities continue to wait on autopsy reports. [SOURCE]

This is a pattern that we've seen in other taser-related deaths. This is another reason that we need a federal probe. Have you signed our online petition asking for congressional hearings on taser torture?

Police Arrest Hasanni Campbell's Foster Parents for Murder

Louis Ross and Jennifer Campbell, foster parents of missing 5-year-old Hasanni Campbell were arrested today in connection with his disappearance.

Police had been mystified as to how Hasanni Campbell could have vanished from a "crowded business district with no witnesses," according to a police search warrant affidavit.

Louis Ross claims that his foster son vanished from the parking lot of the Shuz of Rockridge shoe store in Oakland on August 10. However, police bloodhounds were unable to detect the scent of the boy outside the upscale shoe store where Hasanni's aunt and foster mother work. Besides scouring the area around the shoe store, police have searched Ross' home, the surrounding neighborhoods and parks as well as a scrap yard in nearby Hayward, Calif., that Ross had visited hours before Hasanni's disappearance.

Hasanni has cerebral palsy and wears braces on his legs.

10 days before the boy vanished, Ross sent an expletive-filled text message to Hasanni's foster mother, threatening to leave the boy alone on a train station platform. Ross said he would look after Hasanni's 1-year-old sister, but not the boy.

"I will watch her but he will be out on the (station) and its your responsibility," said the July 31 text message.

Police say Hasanni's disappearance is still a missing person investigation, but says a homicide investigator is in charge of the case.

VILLAGER's VOICE: It appears that the police feel that they have enough evidence to arrest the foster parents for murder. I haven't felt good about this missing 5-year old since the case first broke on August 10. I suspect it is only a matter of time before one of the two suspects breaks down and tells police where they buried the body. Hasanni was only five years old. Villagers, hug your children tonight...

Coroner Rules 'Homicide' in the Taser Death of Michael Jacobs

24-year old Michael Jacobs did not have to die on April 18, 2009. However, Fort Worth police officer Stephanie A. Phillips shocked him twice with a taser gun -- the first time for 49 seconds and the second time for 5 seconds, with a 1-second interval between the shocks, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office report.

Phillips told a detective after the incident that she "unknowingly kept the Taser trigger engaged for an unknown amount of time when she first applied the Taser, thus increasing the pre-programmed shock duration cycle of five seconds."

The report states that when Jacobs "continued to struggle," Phillips warned him again that if he did not "cease fighting and comply with officers’ requests, she would shock him again. When [Jacobs] failed to cooperate, Phillips shocked him a second time," according to the report.

He was pronounced dead about noon that day — an hour after Phillips used the taser gun. The medical examiner ruled that Michael Jacobs' death was a homicide. [SOURCE]

An autopsy showed no traces of alcohol or drugs, electrolyte imbalances, or signs of heart or lung disease, all of which can be contributing factors in a death.

"We are relieved that the ME's findings line up with our facts, but we still believe that Mr. Jacobs did not have to die, and did not have to die the way he did, in front of his parents in his front yard crying out for help," said Rev. Kyev Tatum, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Fort Worth chapter.

The Jacobs family held a press conference to talk about the ME's findings. Michael Jacobs Jr. had a 4-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter, who live with their mothers, Charlotte Jacobs said.

"I would like to see justice done for my son. I would like this to never happen to another family. If the police had just come to me after this happened and said, 'I’m sorry,’ none of this would be needed. The police are supposed to be here to protect and serve. Not to kill."

Now we wait to see if the police officer that fired the taser will be charged with a crime by the powers-that-be in Ft. Worth. Does anyone know the name of the police officer?

Old School Friday: Gino Vanelli

The theme for this week's Old School Friday meme is Songs That People Would Be Surprised You Know.

Sadly, I don't remember who introduced me to Gino Vanelli. He never truly hit the mainstream for jazz, R&B or any other genre. He was a unique talent that didn't fit neatly into any box we had labels for at the time. However, I used to enjoy listening to his stuff ... back then I was listening on an 8-track cartridge ... young 'uns have no idea what that was ... but, his music got to me. Here are two of my favorites from Gino Vanelli .... and I think villagers would be surprised to see this artist on my iPod!


'Ugly Man'




'Pauper in Paradise'

Taser Death: Terrace Clayton Smith (Los Angeles, CA)

It happened again. Again we see that the police feel disrespected ... and respond with 50,000 volts of electricity from a taser gun. As a result, we have the 34th taser-related death in America this year.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says Terrace Clayton Smith has died after a deputy shocked him three times with an electric stun gun at a San Fernando Valley subway station. [SOURCE]

Police authorities say Smith was at the North Hollywood Red Line station on August 26th, when a deputy repeatedly asked if he had a ticket.

Smith didn't answer, so the deputy took hold of his hands to stop and question him.

The police say the man broke free, raised clenched fists and charged the deputy several times. He was Tasered, then shocked twice more when he got up and charged again. We don't know the other side of the story ... because Smith is dead.

The police were consistent in their response to this taser-related death ... they informed the press of a possible drug abuse angle. In this case, the police say a pipe used to smoke drugs fell to the ground during the scuffle. That is how the police set the stage for blaming his death on 'excited delirium'.

These taser-related deaths are happening at too rapid a clip. Please sign our online petition seeking congressional hearings on taser-torture taking place in our nation.

Obama Effect: Artur Davis (Campaign Video)

I told y'all a few months ago that Artur Davis (D-AL) was a beneficary of the Obama Effect. Check out his most recent campaign video:




Are there other candidates that you think benefit from the Obama Effect?

Taser Death: T.J. Nance (Arizona City, AZ)

We are saddened to report the 33rd taser-related death in America this year. For the second time in less than a week a resident of the state of Arizona lost his life to the taser-happy nature of our police force.

T.J. Nance, 37, of Arizona City, was pronounced dead at Casa Grande Regional Medical Center at 10:06 p.m. on Friday, August 21, about an hour after a Pinal County Sheriff's Office deputy used a Taser on him. Nance fell to the ground and apparently went into cardiac arrest. [SOURCE]

Nance fled an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer after the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on him shortly after 9 p.m. Friday near Eloy, according to DPS. The DPS officer was assisted by the sheriff's deputy when Nance tried to run into a nearby residence. The name of the taser-happy police officer was not released.

Authorities said that Nance had an unknown substance stuck in his throat, which was removed and turned over to investigators.

His cause of death also is pending autopsy results from the Forensic Science Center in Tucson.

Villagers, it is never a good idea to try to run away from the police. However, to my knowledge the penalty for being disrespectful to the police is not supposed to be death. These tasers are supposed to be 'non-lethal'. Don't tell that to the 33 people on this list!

I also note that the 'authorities' didn't take any time to throw in the drug angle with their information about an unknown substance in Mr. Vance's throat. I also see that we are now waiting on autopsy results. Anyone want to guess at how long we will be waiting for this autopsy report?

Villagers, is the frequency of these taser-related deaths bothering anyone else? Perhaps it is time for congressional oversight hearings?