Diondega 412

Welcome Back!

2010-11-08T10:56:00.004-05:00

After almost two years on hiatus I am making my return to the blogosphere. A lot has happened since my last post. A new President was elected, the Tea Party emerged, I got married and had a son. In the coming days, I will be bringing my own unique brand of analysis and commentary. Tomorrow: The ten reasons the Democrats got their clocks clean last Tuesday. In the meantime enjoy this little ditty from one of my favorite emcees AZ:

Obama for President

2008-10-31T11:22:00.003-04:00

On Wednesday June 20th, 2007, I officially endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. At the time I was impressed by his ability to break through the cynicism typically associated with politics. Today, I am awestruck not by the way Barack Obama has broken through the cynicism of politics, but the way he has inspired a generation of young Americans often associated with words like superficial, narcissistic and careless. Truly, the fervor that Senator Obama has tapped into among young professionals, college students, athletes and entertainers is quite remarkable. What I find even more moving is the enthusiasm he is generating among young African-Americans often associated with words such as thug, hopeless and lost. Barack Obama, in the course of his campaign, has re-discovered a so-called “lost” generation of inner-city youth who, through him, have re-discovered a sense of purpose in themselves and faith in this nation. My experiences with these young people over the past several months prompted me to write this final appeal to the American people, just four days before the national election, to ask you join me in voting for Barack Obama on November 4th.

“Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Obama could run, Obama is running so our children can fly! Fwd to 15 ppl Ensure Change.” – Text Message (Sent by 19 yr old single mother, McKeesport, PA)

I received that text message about 9pm on a friday night a few weeks ago. It was my “Aha Moment”, that something truly amazing was happening before my eyes. Suddenly I started to notice the young guys with the oversized baseball caps, low hanging pants and colorful sneakers wearing Barack Obama t-shirts. At the corner store or the club I found myself talking politics with people who never watched a political debate prior to September 26th. Soon I met an incredible group of young people doing voter registration, knocking on doors and making phone calls to get out the vote. This inspiring group of individuals includes: teen-age mothers, Job Corps students and the formerly incarcerated. Most will admit that this will be first election they will ever vote in. Many were not registered themselves until this month and never cared about politics until very recently. I have watched these young people transform from devout apathy to believing that they can truly make difference in their troubled communities. For the first time in many of their lives, they have hope and faith in their futures and are ready to serve a cause greater than themselves.

“Obama for mankind, we ready for damn change so y’all let man shine”! – Young Jeezy from the song “My President”

Over the last 10 to 20 years, many leaders have tried unsuccessfully to motivate young people from the inner city to overcome the many challenges they face. The vast majority of these appeals have fallen on deaf ears. Most young people have lost the reverence we once held for faith leaders, civic leaders and political leaders. If my generation ever had a leader it would have been Tupac Shakur, until now. Barack Obama has somehow inspired these young Americans and gained their confidence and respect. While the Al Sharpton’s, Jesse Jackson’s and Bill Cosby’s lectures have alienated our young people at times, Obama has found a way to embrace them and be a role model. Barack Obama is making it “cool” for our young people to be intellectual, articulate and poised. This is significant for a generation of young people who often view these qualities as negative traits. He is uniquely positioned to challenge our young people to be better parents, active citizens and future leaders. Senator Obama appears to be our best hope to help rescue these young people from the perils of poverty, crime and low expectations. I cannot imagine a more noble cause in these days and times.

Over the last two decades, inner city youth have been demonized, chastised and written off. To be fair, these young people bear just as much responsibility as their elders for the many challenges they face. At a time when our future as a country is in doubt, it is inspiring to see our young people rising above their own cynicism and hopelessness. Even more moving than that is the way our youth have embraced Senator Obama’s qualities and see their own potential for excellence through him. We have a unique opportunity to seize this moment in our country’s history. A vote for Senator Obama is a vote our young people who have been cast away and forgotten. It is a vote for excellence, intelligence and service. It is a vote for responsibility, respect and hope. It is a vote for lost generation that has been found.

- Khari Mosley is the Democratic Chairman of Pittsburgh's 22nd Ward

Colin Powell sets the record straight.

2008-10-20T08:07:00.002-04:00

Colin Powell in his own words:

"I know both of these individuals very well now. I've known John [McCain] for 25 years, and I've gotten to know Mr. Obama quite well over the past two years. Both of them are distinguished Americans who are patriotic, who are dedicated to the welfare of our country. Either one of them, I think, would be a good president.

I have said to Mr. McCain that I admire all he has done. I have some concerns about the direction that the [Republican] Party has taken in recent years. It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it, but that's a choice the party makes.

And I've said to Mr. Obama, "You have to pass the test of, do you have enough experience, and do you bring the judgment to the table that would give us confidence that you would be a good president?"

And I've watched them over the past two years, frankly, and I've had this conversation with them. I have especially watched, over the last six or seven weeks, as both of them have really taken a final exam with respect to this economic crisis that we are in, and coming out of the conventions.

And I must say that I've gotten a good measure of both. In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to how to deal with the economic problems that we're having, and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And that concerned me. I got the sense that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had.

And I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin. She's a very distinguished woman, and she is to be admired. But at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made.

On the Obama side, I have watched Mr. Obama and I watched him during this seven-week period. And he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge, and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one. And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor. I think that he has a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well.

I also believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. Mr. Obama, at the same time, has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He's crossing lines -- ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines. He's thinking about all villages have values, all towns have values -- not just small towns have values.

I've also been disappointed, frankly, by some of the approaches that Senator McCain has taken recently -- or his campaign ads -- on issues that are not really central to the problems that the American people are worried about.

This Bill Ayers situation that's been going on for weeks became something of a central point of the campaign, but Mr. McCain says that he's a washed-out terrorist. Then why do we keep talking about him? And why do we have these robo-calls going on around the country, trying to suggest that because of this very, very limited relationship that Senator Obama has had with Mr. Ayers, somehow Mr. Obama is tainted? What they're trying to connect him to is some kind of terrorist feelings. And I think that's inappropriate.

Now I understand what politics is all about. I know how you can go after one another. And that's good. But I think this goes too far. And I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for.

I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign and they trouble me. And the party has moved even further to the right, and Governor Palin has indicated a further rightward shift. I would have difficulty with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration.

I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said: such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is he is not a Muslim; he's a Christian, has always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, "What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?" The answer's "No, that's not America." Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion he's Muslim and he might be associated with terrorists. This is not the way we should be doing it in America.

I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery. And she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards -- Purple Heart, Bronze Star; showed that he died in Iraq; gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old. And then at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross. It didn't have a Star of David. It had a crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Kahn, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he could go serve his country, and he gave his life.

Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourself in this way. And John McCain is as non-discriminatory as anyone I know. But I'm troubled about the fact that within the party we have these kinds of expressions.

So, when I look at all of this and I think back to my Army career, we've got two individuals, either one of them could be a good president. But which is the president that we need now? Which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time?

And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities -- and we have to take that into account -- as well as his substance. He has both style and substance. He has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president.

I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world -- onto the world stage, onto the American stage and for that reason, I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."

AMEN.

Obama Hits Hard post-debate

2008-10-16T13:45:00.001-04:00

Obama responds with a post-debate zinger!

It's unanimous!

2008-10-15T23:47:00.001-04:00

On Fox, pollster Frank Luntz asked his group to raise their hands who won, and overwhelmingly, the group gave the victory to Obama. "This is a good night for Barack Obama," Luntz said.

Grateful Dead for Obama

2008-10-14T19:34:00.004-04:00

"Tie-dyed T-shirts and political slogans made for a heady mixture as the four surviving members of the rock band Grateful Dead put on a concert in support of Barack Obama."

For the whole story: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2008/Oct/14/surviving_members_of_grateful_dead_rock_for_obama.html

The GOP's bubble might have burst...

2008-10-10T20:44:00.003-04:00

From the New York Times:

A committee investigating Gov. Sarah Palin found that she unlawfully abused her authority in firing Walter Monegan, right, the state’s public safety commissioner.

Uh oh...

Debate Night in America

2008-10-07T07:51:00.006-04:00

Tonight, the Presidential candidates will share the stage at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. With the polls continuing to shift in favor of Senator Obama, look for Senator McCain to try a "game-changing event" to stop the bleeding. Recent Real Clear Politics show Obama making gains not only in national polls but in state by state polls as well. Look for McCain to continue to attack Obama on his associations with people like Williams Ayers & Jeremiah to compromise his credibility. Look for Obama to continue to hammer the economy again and again. If there are no game-changers advantage Obama, if there is a game-changer it means that either McCain is on the comeback or Obama is headed toward a landslide victory. Stay Tuned.

The Birth Of An Industrial Evolution

2008-09-28T19:40:00.005-04:00

Not too long ago, Pittsburgh was one of the greatest industrial hubs in the history of the world. Mills and factories employing hundreds of thousands workers once lined the banks of the Ohio, Allegheny and the Monongahela Rivers. Back in the 1860 and 1870s, new technologies allowing for the mass-production of steel from molten pig iron were being developed and Pittsburgh made itself into the steel producing capital of the world.

Today, the mills and factories that once lined the city's three glorious rivers are gone and some say Pittsburgh's best days are behind us. I say Pittsburgh's best days could be right around the corner. I believe that we have the same type of opportunity our fore-bearers did in the 1860s and 1870s. Instead of investing in heavy rail, coal and building polluting factories, we can create a green industrial revolution that will invest in a new economy that will provide opportunity for all people, while protecting our fragile environment.

Pittsburgh appears to be once again at the crossroads of history. Leaders and citizens from all walks of life are plugging in to the green jobs movement. Yesterday, as part of Green For All's Green Jobs Day of Action hundreds of Pittsburghers participated in the day long series of activities. The day began with speakers, including nationally renowned poet Vanessa German addressing a diverse crowd of grassroots activists, environmentalists, high school students and concerned citizens. We then boarded buses headed for The Healcrest Urban Farm and G-Tech's Larimer Site for hands-on activities. In the afternoon, a rally was held with a number of community leaders and elected officials including City Councilmembers Bill Peduto & Patrick Dowd, State Representatives Joe Preston & Chelsa Wagner and City Controller Michael Lamb. It is refreshing to know we have elected officials who we can count on as allies in this effort to bring green jobs to Pittsburgh.

Don't get it twisted, the politicians weren't the only folks in the house, luminaries such as Christiane D of Soma Mestizo, Paradise Gray from X-Clan/1 Hood and DJ Supa C came through to support the cause. Paradise even got on the mic to hype up the crowd to the chorus of "I'm Ready", as Supa C dropped several classic instrumentals turing Penn Avenue in East Liberty into a makeshift amphitheater. Afterwards I was talking to my homie Franchise, local MC and community organizer. He said to me,

"I listened to speeches and read a lot of material that was being handed out. I never knew the situation was so serious with the environment. At the same time, I didn't know about these solar panels and these green jobs. If we could bring green jobs to the hood, we could deal with the violence and poverty, by giving cats an opportunity to get off the block".

Shouts to everyone who participated in Pittsburgh's Green Jobs Day of Action! Job Well Done.

Sarah Soundbite?

2008-09-25T09:39:00.002-04:00

Over the past week or so, it seems like Sarah Palin is proving to be more of a One-Hit Wonder than the full package the Governor is being presented as. The media appears weary of the way the McCain campaign is "handling" her, or some would say out right barring her from any uncontrolled interaction with the press. During a clumsy interview with Charlie Gibson, the so-called "Barracuda" was more like a robot repeating pre-programmed responses or a 1980s pop-star doing the 200,000th rendition of their one hit song, pretty uncomfortable to watch.

This week Sarah Soundbite topped herself in her interview with Katie Couric on CBS. I'm not going to ruin it for you, check it out yourself:

Watch CBS Videos Online

Harry Belafonte on the dream, a King and a man who could be President.

2008-09-24T11:32:00.005-04:00

This video was taken on August 28th, 2008, the day Barack Obama accepted the democratic nomination, 40 years to the day Martin Luther King gave his "I Have A Dream Speech". Mr. Belafonte, a close friend of Dr. King, took a moment to give his thoughts about the significance of the moment and his hopes for the future, while traveling through my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For information about Harry Belafonte's most recent project "The Gathering for Justice" click here

Every Superhero Needs Theme Music

2008-09-23T08:17:00.006-04:00

From Hip Hop DX:

"It's no secret that many musicians have backed Senator Barack Obama in the race for The White House. Although many have already released songs in support of the Senator, plans are also set to release an entire album to show solidarity on the side of Obama.

Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement is the presumed title of the project, said to include artists including Kanye West, John Legend, Jill Scott, Will.i.am and others. It will be available for digital download at $24.99 and $30 for the actual CD through Hidden Beach Recordings. Proceeds will benefit the Obama campaign."

The Obama Campaign purchased the rights to the CD and they have it for sale on their site, www.barackobama.com, along with a small statement.

"Through their musical contributions, the artists seek to mobilize voters in the final stretch before the November election. Many of the artists involved will also be volunteering their time to promote voter registration."

Here is one of the stellar tracks on the compilation, "Promised Land" featuring Malik Yusef with Kanye West and Adam Levine of Maroon 5

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/audio/id.5738/title.malik-yusef-f-kanye-west-adam-levine-promised-land

This Week With Jasiri X

2008-09-22T10:13:00.003-04:00

The most recent episode:

If you missed this on SNL:

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/mccain-approves-open/669582/

Have A Good Week.

Re-Birth of a Nation.

2008-09-21T12:58:00.007-04:00

“We know all too little about the factors that affect the attitudes of the peoples of the world toward one another. It is clear, however, that color and race are at once the most important and the most enigmatic.” - John Hope Franklin

Over the last 24 hours, an explosive issue has begun to creep back into the national political conscience. This issue has played a central role in American politics since the 18th century and could decide the presidential election on November 4th. As reported yesterday a recent poll suggests that up to 1 in 3 white democrats may not vote for Barack Obama due to racial biases they hold against African-Americans. Today, a Chicago Sun-Times article on the poll went on to say:

"Deep-seated racial misgivings could cost Barack Obama the White House if the election is close, according to an AP-Yahoo News poll that found one-third of white Democrats harbor negative views toward blacks -- many calling them ''lazy,'' ''violent'' or responsible for their own troubles. The poll, conducted with Stanford University, suggests that the percentage of voters who may turn away from Obama because of his race could easily be larger than the final difference between the candidates in 2004 -- about 2.5 percentage points. Certainly, Republican John McCain has his own obstacles: He's an ally of an unpopular president and would be the nation's oldest first-term president. But Obama faces this: 40 percent of all white Americans hold at least a partly negative view toward blacks, and that includes many Democrats and independents. More than a third of all white Democrats and independents -- voters Obama can't win the White House without -- agreed with at least one negative adjective about blacks, according to the survey, and are significantly less likely to vote for Obama than those who don't have such views."

“I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races - I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office.” - Abraham Lincoln

My friend Selena Zito, wrote an interesting column in the conservative leaning Pittsburgh Tribune-Review entitled "The States of the Unions", exploring the challenges unions in Ohio and Pennsylvania are facing to get members to vote for Barack Obama. PA State AFL-CIO President Bill George is quoted in the article as saying:

"There is no question, earlier in the primary campaign the racial issue was there, just like the gender issue was with Hillary for some unions," he says."We in America like to think we don't have any hang-ups or stereotypes. But because of our history and because of a lot of industrial psychology controlling the masses, people have innate prejudices."

Ben Smith & Avi Zenilman of Politico.Com weighed in on the re-emergence of race as an issue in this election:

"It may not be in Obama's political interests, but the national conversation on race may have just begun. But if Democrats hope to muffle a discussion of race, which polling and reporting have long suggested is a crucial factor in swing states, discussion of it also carries risks for the Republican nominee. McCain has largely steered clear of anything that could be interpreted as race-baiting, and the Republican Party earlier this year warned its officials to stay on message on the sensitive topic".

“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The article reminds us that during the democratic primary in New Hampshire when asked "if he would launch another "national conversation about race." Obama responded in the negative. "I'm less interested in a conversation about race in the abstract," he said. "All the self-flagellation, it's not useful. African-Americans get all riled up, and whites get defensive.""

A short two months later, he gave his historic address on race in Philadelphia. He may find himself giving a similar address in a battleground state in the weeks to come.

Race Matters.

2008-09-20T10:12:00.000-04:00

What happens when the party that has portrayed itself as a champion for civil rights, diversity and other issues of import to African-Americans, does not close the deal for Barack Obama? This is a storyline yet to be explored in the general election scenario.

What happens if rust-belt and rural democratic strongholds perform considerably poorer than the past two elections? I predict a disastrous post-election backlash from people of color, young people and the left wing of the party. What began as a slam dunk for the democrats could very well turn into the worst implosion down the stretch since the 2007 NY Mets.

Today, a poll came out suggesting that up to 1 in 3 White Democrats may not vote for Obama based on racial bias. Here is a sample of the results:

"Racial views steer some white Dems away from Obama,” By Ron Fournier and Trevor Tompson: “Deep-seated racial misgivings could cost Barack Obama the White House if the election is close, according to an AP-Yahoo! News poll that found one-third of white Democrats harbor negative views toward blacks … The poll suggests that the percentage of voters who may turn away from Obama because of his race could easily be larger than the final difference between the candidates in 2004 — about two and one-half percentage points. …

“More than a third of all white Democrats and independents — voters Obama can't win the White House without — agreed with at least one negative adjective about blacks, according to the survey, and they are significantly less likely to vote for Obama than those who don't have such views."

For many people this is not a revelation, but a validation of their concerns, fears and frustrations about race in America. We'll see how far this country has come on November 4th.

Public Expression or Propaganda?

2008-09-18T11:47:00.001-04:00

Doctored pictures of John McCain that recently surfaced on renowned photographer Jill Greenberg's website have started a furor and sparked outrage from the GOP nominee's supporters and the "independent"media. The pics, shot for the October cover of the Atlantic Monthly, were later "photoshopped" capturing several very unflattering visuals (see above) of John McCain and caused one helluva firestorm in the process.

The text below is from Slate.Com

"The Atlantic offered an apology to John McCain this week after the photographer for the October cover, Jill Greenberg, posted doctored pictures of the Republican nominee on her personal Web site. It also emerged that Greenberg, a fierce anti-Republican, had photographed McCain for the magazine while he stood over a deliberately unflattering green light. In 2006, Jim Lewis discussed whether "the photographer who makes kids cry" unfairly exploits her subjects."

This a sample of what the Atlantic Monthly had to say about it:
Editors' Note

"We stand by the respectful image of John McCain that we used on our cover, and we expect to be judged by it. We were not aware of the manipulated and dishonest images Jill Greenberg had taken until this past Friday. When we contract with photographers for portraits, we don't vet them for their politics—instead, we assess their professional track records. We had never worked with Jill Greenberg before (and, obviously, we will not work with her again). Based on the portraits she had done of politicians like Arnold Schwarzenegger and her work for publications like Time, Wired, and Portfolio, we expected her, like the other photographers we work with, to behave professionally. Jill Greenberg has obviously not done that. She has, in fact, disgraced herself, and we are appalled by the manipulated images of John McCain she has created for her Web site."

We're still 40-some days out and the circus has not even truly started.

A New Way To Watch The News!

2008-09-18T11:47:00.000-04:00

A locally grown, but nationally known emcee/activist/spiritual leader started dropping the news via hip-hop recently. This Week with Jasiri X kicked off in incredible fashion, combining politics, pop culture, sports and of course, lyrics.

Check out the Keith Olberman of Street Soldierin'

Stay tuned!

Week 1

Week 2

Not to switch topics, but...

2008-09-16T08:17:00.000-04:00

Soldiers barking orders at each other is so 20th Century. That's why the U.S. Army has just awarded a $4 million contract to begin developing "thought helmets" that would harness silent brain waves for secure communication among troops. Ultimately, the Army hopes the project will "lead to direct mental control of military systems by thought alone.

From Mark Thompson's Time.com article entitled: "The Army's Totally Serious Mind Control Project"

Obama Hits Back

2008-09-15T20:19:00.000-04:00

For all you Democrats that wanted Barack to hit back, you got your wish.

Bram & The Trib weigh in on Ford-Gate.

2008-09-14T14:45:00.000-04:00

Today, Bram from the Pgh Comet & The Tribune Review weighed in on the growing suspicion around the administration and its' dealings with the URA. There seems to be a rising tide of questions about how business is being done on Grant Street. Expect a larger chorus of interrogators to descend on the 5th Floor of the City County Building with questions about corruption in the Ravenstahl Administration. Whether the allegations are true, the deeper scrutiny into city affairs will provide a level of transparency that in the end will benefit not only city government itself, but more importantly the taxpayers who support it.

The Trib pulled no punches today in an editorial entitled: A putrid deal: Hush Money It starts off a little something like this...

"Is the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh a corrupt criminal enterprise? Is the administration of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl? We are forced to ask these serious questions in light of activities that reasonable people could conclude suggest both."

If you thought the intro was juicy check out the conclusion...

"Now, the URA will pay Pat Ford six months beyond his contract expiration to prevent him from making further public allegations and from filing a lawsuit. Well, if Ford's allegations are baseless, and therefore reckless, why's he being paid off? And what was Ford going to sue for? He wasn't terminated, he quit, under an ethics cloud, and he's not even in town anymore. This deal is putrid. Somebody's hiding something. Who? And what? Both are great questions for a grand jury."

This morning Mr. Bram from the Pgh Comet provided us with a Keith Olbermann-esque analysis and call to action for all citizen's of Pittsburgh.

"We must make ready to shoulder this burden on our own. Whatever entreaties ought be facilitated to higher authorities have been facilitated already. There's no profit in waiting on avenging angels to do our dirty work.

We should all conduct ourselves as though We the People are the sole arbiters of justice. That should be more than sufficient to throw off this yoke of infantile and self-serving gall.

Woe betide any clique, or Committee, or Conference that dares run interference on behalf of the sordid old status quo in Pittsburgh. Change is inevitable -- fundamental change. The occasion for it is the stale and increasingly ludicrous sameness championed by the callow functionaries presently inhabiting our City Hall.

The levees of machine politics are topping, and they will break soon or sooner still. It only remains to be seen who will be on the leading edge of this change -- who will be scrambling to catch up to it -- and who will be left behind."

Are these voices a militant minority of Luke-Haters? Or does this reflect a bigger problem for the Mayor as the 2009 primary nears. STAY TUNED.

"I would be surprised if they're not already investigating."

2008-09-13T11:29:00.000-04:00

From all outward appearances, the grenade Doug Shields tossed across the 5th floor of the City-County building has started something more than just a "small skirmish". It seems like the battle lines are drawn and the troops are lining up in formation.

City Controller Michael Lamb is saying things like, "if the "non-disparagement" clause in the unwritten settlement prohibits Ford from talking to him about an audit of how the URA awards contracts, Lamb will file a legal challenge in an attempt to invalidate it. When asked about federal and state investigations Mr. Lamb said, "I would be surprised if they're not already investigating." Those are ominous signs if you ask me. Foreshadowing for all you poet laureates out there.

In the meantime, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl yesterday issued the following statement in response to Council President Shields' letters to the U.S. Attorney and the state Attorney General:

"Doug Shields has forgotten that he was sent to Council to do the people's business, not to promote a political agenda focused on hurting me and aggrandizing himself. As he has communicated to others in the back offices of City Council, he is using his public office in an attempt to hurt people politically, personally and professionally. While my administration and I have been getting the work of the City done, cleaning our neighborhoods, fixing our finances, fighting crime, and resolving potential lawsuits to protect City taxpayers, he has been playing political games. Shame on him.

Over the last two years, through an underwhelming run for citywide office, Shields' use of public funds to advance his political agenda, and his erratic and unprofessional behavior on Council, he and his cohorts have embarrassed themselves, their public offices and this City.

Shields' actions are cheap, ill-motivated and just plain wrong. I have full faith that the people of Pittsburgh see right through Shields, to the truth. It is time for Shields and company to stop playing politics and get back to the business of the City."

Say what you will about Doug Shields, you can bet he knows how to make a Mayor's life a living hell via the Council President's office. Remember this guy helped orchestrate the classic O'Connor vs. Murphy battles in city hall. I can bet this will get more interesting, before it gets less interesting.

Doug Shields takes the nuclear option.

2008-09-12T14:37:00.000-04:00

As reported by Bob Mayo: Council President Doug Shields has sent requests in writing to US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan and PA Attorney General Tom Corbett to investigate city development affairs. Details to follow.

Wow! That's pretty extreme, don't you think? Looks like the gloves are off down on Grant Street.

More from the P-G: Pittsburgh Council President Doug Shields formally asked the U.S. Attorney and the state Attorney General to investigate city development affairs today, in the wake of yesterday's settlement between the Urban Redevelopment Authority and its former executive director, Pat Ford.

More from the Burgh Report

In the letter addressed to PA Attorney General Tom Corbett and US Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, Council President Shields wrote, "With serious allegations of illegal activity acknowledged in writing and nearly $100,000 taxpayer dollars being used in conjunction with what is effectively a gag order on the people raising the allegations, the time has come to put rumor and innuendo to rest and get to the truth. It has become imperative that a fulsome inquiry be conducted because it is only under oath that this matter can be definitively resolved."

What more can I say?

Pastor Problem?

2008-09-11T07:59:00.000-04:00

Looks like Sarah Palin might have a pastor problem these days. Check it out

Lipstick on a Pig?

2008-09-10T18:24:00.000-04:00

Over the last day or so, Obama's "lipstick on a pig" comment has been all over the airwaves. Many wonder if it will have a real impact on the voters, especially working class, older and independent women voters in states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania & Ohio.

Will the voters fall for Pig-Gate!

McCain up 10 in Gallup poll?

2008-09-08T18:47:00.000-04:00

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/docs/2008_09_05topline.html

What the hell's goin' on out here?

Today's USA Today Gallup Poll has McCain up 10% among likely voters, up 4% among registered voters. This is an interesting turn of events when you consider a number of things:

- Obama's nomination speech vs. McCain's nomination speech
- The Obama campaign's VP search vs. the McCain campaign's VP search
- The Democrat's Convention vs. The Republican's Convention

Personally I am baffled. If you examine the three things I just mentioned, any reasonable human being would agree the Dems did better in all three areas. What does this mean? Is the GOP that good? Do they understand the psyche of the American people better? The real question is: Does Sarah Palin really boost the GOP's ticket? Based on recent polling it appears so. At the same time this could be an aberration, but if not the next 50 some odd days will be a helluva fight.

5 Predictions for the NFL season

2008-09-07T12:58:00.000-04:00

As I sit in front of my TV about to watch the kick-off of the NFL season, I am super excited. I truly believe that pro football is the best sport ever invented. The combination of teamwork, strategy and intensity is unparalleled in the world of sport. As you all know, early September begins with hope and promise for 32 teams, only to end in ultimate glory for one team in February 2009 at the Super Bowl. Along with the hope and promise, come the predictions and prognosticators. It is always fun to look back later in the year and make fun of the predictions that were way off and salute the predictions that were dead on. In the spirit of the new season I'm going to get in on the fun, so to speak. So here it is...My top 5 predictions for the NFL season.

5. AFC Championship Game: Pittsburgh vs. San Diego. Roethlisberger and Rivers, now seasoned vets will begin to take their place among Brady and Manning as super elite QBs in the AFC.

4. Chad Johnson will get traded to Oakland. First of all, I refuse to refer to him by his new ridiculous last name. Secondly a true class act like Marvin Lewis (from Western PA, by the way) won't tolerate Chad's foolishness for long. Lastly, Al Davis is only guy in the NFL who will tolerate that kind of foolishness.

3. Favre will take the Jets to the divisional round. The NY media machine will ride the Favre express until early January, overshadowing underachiever turned overachiever Eli Manning. Once the Jets gets dispatched, Madison Ave will refocus on the defending Super Bowl Champs, who will make it to the NFC Championship Game.

2. NFC Championship Game: New York vs. Dallas. Manning and Romo will continue a duel that could become the Steve Young/Troy Aikman rivalry of this era.

1. Adrian Peterson will break the single season rushing record. I feel like there isn't much to explain, if you have seen him play you know what I'm talking about. If not take look at this:

More Trooper-Gate Drama in Alaska.

2008-09-06T12:04:00.000-04:00

This could literally sink the McCain-Palin ticket. Apparently the results of the investigation are scheduled to be released on October 31st, the Friday before the national election. As time goes on, more holes are being poked into the Palin defense, it looks as if Palin's attorney is trying put the investigation in a holding pattern. One of Palin's staffers was scheduled to testify in front of the investigatory body, but under advisement from Palin's attorneys he did not show up.

Stay Tuned!

May be more to Palin scandal in Alaska.

2008-09-01T21:38:00.000-04:00

The Palin corruption scandal may have some legs. If I was the GOP i'd want the focus to stay on the teen pregnancy story. Allegedly, the first term Governor used her office to pressure state employees to fire her former brother in law. The incident is under investigation and Governor Palin has retained an attorney.

Here's a link to a recent AP article: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gWi6yTVfPyJeiTBsQ33SSUiobt8wD92I9NIO0

Below is a Youtube that really breaks it down and raises red flags!

The Fall Sprint has begun...

2008-09-01T10:25:00.000-04:00

I spent last week in the euphoria of the of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO. A week that started semi-shaky with loud grumblings from Clinton loyalists, ended in dramatic fashion with a unified and renewed democratic party, a party poised to dominate American politics for the next 25 years.

I first arrived in Denver just hours before the Joe Biden announcement. As I walked the then empty streets of Denver's growing western metropolis, I couldn't have anticipated the impact of the week's events.

Major highlight's included: SEIU's kickoff party, the CBC Insitute's party, the Youth Council's press conference, the America Votes/Catalist briefing, the Vote Hope luncheon, the Bus Project's block party, Planned Parenthood's party, Rock the Vote's Party and Joe Biden's address to the PA delegation on Thursday morning.

The most incredible thing about the week was the build up of momentum. On Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, things moved quite slow and there still was some sense of disunity in the party. But beginning on Wednesday a crescendo began to build culminating with Bill Clinton surgical masterpiece and Joe Biden's colorful oratory.

On Thursday morning it was clear. Democrats were unified and understand the importance of this election. Throughout the day, you could feel the energy in the city streets from Governors to Janitors to even the street vendors who selling t-shirts that said, "Black Man Running... And It Aint from the Police".

As I walked up to the stadium I was in complete awe. To be in a building filled with 90,000 women and men of all races, ages, lifestyles, income levels, religions and backgrounds waving flags, singing and dancing for the purpose to moving our country into a more enlightened age was deeply humbling. Yeah I said it, "waving flags, singing and dancing", it sounds corny until you're right in it. It makes you think
man, love of country can be a beautiful thing.

As I left out of the stadium, I felt a collective sense of purpose, unity and mission that I didn't feel on Monday and Tuesday. It wasn't until I watched the replay did I realize how amazing the event looked on TV. The imagery, the message and delivery places this event in the pantheon of great political rallies.

Now the hard work begins to ensure that last night is truly the beginning of a reawakening in this country, the birthing of a New America, a New World and brighter future for all of humanity.

I've been getting my bars up!

2008-08-17T11:17:00.000-04:00

Yeah I know the posts have been spotty for a while, but I hope to find more time in the coming days to keep in touch with y'all in Diondega Land. In the meantime I've been getting my bars back up.

What does get your bars up mean?

It is a reference to when cell phones charge up and their "bars" get higher as the battery gains more energy. It is basically the same principle, but it also can mean to "step your game up" or "get your weight up", but that's a different webinar.

Anyway it means I'm back with a vengeance, like Luke Skywalker in Episode Six.

I have a lot to say about the Presidential Election, Facebook, the Olympics, Pineapple Express and the upcoming Mayor's in Pittsburgh (May 2009). It remains to be seen whether I'm gonna say something about'em in the public arena.

In the meantime I'm headed on a flight to the Bay and hope to check Star Wars Episode 2.5 "The Clone Wars" while i'm out there.

In the meantime, may the force be with you.

Dale Denton approved this message!

Political, but Politically Incorrect!!!

2008-07-31T14:09:00.000-04:00

"The world is ready for change, cause Obama is here!" - Ludacris

The Atlanta based, by way of Chicago MC Ludacris dropped a joint called, "Politics" that is getting a lot of attention. Some are questioning will this a be another Rev. Wright moment, based on some of the controversial lines in the song such as:

- "Hillary hated on you, so that b-tch is irrelevant"
- "The only chair McCain should sit in is if he's paralyzed"
- "George Bush is mentally handicapped"

Well i'm not much for filling your head with my ideas, here is a sample of the song that you should hear more about in the days to come.

Well, i'm gonna editorialize a bit. I think this is pretty irrelevant. I am concerned about the misogyny not only in Hip Hop but in society in general. I think Ludacris could've been more tactful, but shit it's hip hop, it is not supposed to be politically correct. Oh well, I guess Ludacris f-cked up his shot to perform at the inaugural ball.

Fresh off the plane Konichiwa B--ches!!!

2008-07-22T22:54:00.000-04:00

Turn around another plane my passport on pivot...

What's up world?

I'm continuing my crazy ass tour of the country. Right now i'm blogging from the Firewood Grill in San Francisco International Airport en route to Washington, DC.

Over the past couple days I've been building with the country's leading voices on green jobs. Very fruitful conversations with folks all committed to lifting people out of poverty while healing the planet. Real Talk for sure.

It's been real wild lately huh? I'm somewhat detached because I spend so much time on the road these days. This Presidential race got thrown for a loop by Barack Obama's vanglorious trip abroad. When was the last time an American has been so graciously received by our friends across the pond?

I've been listening to Nas' latest record, it's real tight. I think my homie Wendell Wade is right though, the beats could've been better. Nevertheless it is some good stuff.

On a somber note, I wanna send a shout out to Gloria Forouzan, we're praying for you and wish you a speedy recovery. Keep fighting!

Alright i'm about to take this red eye into Dulles, should be fun.

It's Been A Long Time...

2008-07-19T10:18:00.000-04:00

In all the excitement of my state by state travels on behalf of an unnamed group that pays my bills, I didn't realize I have not posted in like a month. WOW

Anyway a lot has been going on, too much to keep us with:

- A grassroots movement to draft a young, smart & scrappy State Rep from the South Hills to run against Mayor Luke
- Mayor Luke throwing the City Council President's hat into the ring
- Bram got interviewed by the Feds
- The bonus-gate scandal in Harrisburg, hold your head PJ!
- Jesse Jackson went gangsta rap on Barack (Must've been listening to that new Weezy too.)
- Barack Obama's about to embark on this biggest European tour featuring an American since David Hassellhoff
- The New Yorker cover
- Lil' Wayne sells over million records in a week, discusses the prison industrial and disses Al Sharpton in one fell swoop
- Nas releases the NWord Album to critical and underground acclaim

Well, all this stuff is very entertaining in some way or another. If this is just a preview of fall 2008 & the beginning of 2009, well keep blogging, taking videos and sharing your most private thoughts over the airwaves.

In the meantime, my homie State Rep Tony Payton is ringing my phone...

Could be some good stuff!!!

Until next time enjoy this selection from the Microphone Fiend Rakim Allah

- Rakim Lyrics

Shaq goes at Kobe's head!

2008-06-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Wow!

Be Pro-Green!

2008-06-17T10:22:00.000-04:00

Note: Before you begin, hit play on this you tube link...

In response to the climate crisis i'm starting the "Be Pro-Green Campaign" promoting random acts of sustainability to launch an industrial evolution.

This Evolution will be viral...

What does Pro-Green mean:
- Green Economic Development
- Green Land Use
- Clean Energy, Air and Water

The Roots Lyrics
Rising Down Lyrics

We lost a legend today y'all...

2008-06-13T17:21:00.000-04:00

"Go get ‘em." That is how Tim Russert would wrap up his story conferences with reporters. The legendary moderator of Meet The Press died today in Washington, DC. He is a legend who will truly be missed. Nobody was more feared by leaders than Tim Russert on the hot seat, he will truly be missed.

Tim, GO GET'EM! We'll never forget you.

Barack Obama's tribute to a dear friend...

2008-06-11T22:01:00.000-04:00

Friends,

I am writing to express my deepest sympathies on the loss of our friend Dwight White. On behalf of Michelle and our entire campaign family, I share my prayers with his family and friends today.

I came to know Dwight months ago, as he was one of my earliest supporters in Pennsylvania. I remember the excitement and the hope that he held for our future and the strong support he gave to me, to my staff and supporters throughout the past months. In the final days of the campaign here in Pennsylvania, Dwight and his fellow Steelers hopped on a bus and hit the road to stump for us in this great state. I will never forget his commitment to our cause and his incredible devotion not just to the Democratic Party, but to changing this country for the better.

I remember telling Dwight that coming from Hawaii I didn't have a home football team, so I always cheered on the Steelers. Dwight and I had a laugh over it then, but I always did feel that Dwight was on my team -- a friend who'd fight hard for what he believes in.

I will continue to keep his family in my prayers.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

AMEN.

Wouldn't you like to be a n-gger too?

2008-06-10T08:26:00.000-04:00

I wrote about this a few months ago, when hip-hop icon Nas blew up the spot at the Grammys.

Over a month ago he dropped the lead single to his upcoming album "The N Word", a song called "Be A N-gger Too". This song caught a lot of flak, even from many in the hip-hop community. But just when you thought it was safe to be politically correct, Nas drops a short-film styled video to "Be A N-gger Too."

Very, very interesting and much more though provoking than you might have thought.

Hillary hits a homerun.

2008-06-07T13:34:00.001-04:00

Dear Senator Clinton:

Over the last several months, this primary campaign has driven to say some unflattering things about you and your campaign. I could roll out my laundry list of gripes but I'm going to take a page from your speech today and not look to the past. I will on focus on the amazing speech you gave today. I applaud your grace, spirit of unity and appeal to supporters to ensure a democrat takes the oath of office in January 2009. Hats off to you Senator, after that speech like Senator Obama said, "Senator Clinton is on anybody's short list for VP." I never thought I would say this, I can't wait to see you and Senator Obama sharing a stage at the first post-primary unity rally. Enjoy your vacation and be well, you made me proud to be an American today.

Good Night and Good Luck.

“Seeking to forget makes exile all the longer; the secret of redemption lies in remembrance.” - Richard von Weizsaecker

I'll mourn ya' 'til I join ya'!

2008-06-06T17:59:00.000-04:00

Today I received a shocking email informing me of a tremendous loss to the Pittsburgh community. 4-time Super Bowl Champ Pittsburgh Steeler Dwight White passed away this morning in Pittsburgh. The details surrounding his death are not yet known, I'm truly devastated by the loss.

In the last year, Dwight has become a mentor and a teacher to me and a true example of how to transition from the NFL to the game of life. A few months ago we were together and we talked about how the Patriots blew their chance to be the best team ever, he then asked me "Do you know who the best team ever was," as he pointed at one of his 4 Super Bowl rings. He didn't have all 4 on, but I tell you that everyone needs to see a Super Bowl ring up close. Talk about Bling!

I will miss his spirit, sense of humor and his no nonsense approach to life, business and politics. I remember the early meetings we had with him to get on board with Barack Obama's campaign. He asked all the right questions and raised reasonable concerns. Nevertheless, we got him on board and he ran to be an Obama delegate in Pennsylvania's April 22nd Primary Election. I'll never forget seeing him on stage with Joy Woodruff, Dan Rooney, Senator Bob Casey and Franco Harris on the friday before the election in PA. I can't believe that would be the last time I would see him alive.

Steeler fans get your terrible towels and wave'em one time for Dwight, we'll never forget you Champ.

Pastor Manning's using his own delegate math.

2008-06-06T10:07:00.000-04:00

Apparently he didn't get the memo.

I didn't know they had a video for this....

2008-06-06T09:56:00.000-04:00

Just another reason that Ghostface is the best member of the Wu-Tang Clan.

"You're calling for a fair reflection to a flawed primary."

2008-05-31T13:45:00.000-04:00

Michigan Senator Carl Levin says to Harold Ickes during DNC rules committee. If you're really into politics, the DNC is holding a hearing on whether or not to seat the Michigan and Florida delegations at the party's convention in August.

Highlights include Congressman Wexler's impassioned plea, Harold Ickes' interjections and Hartina Flournoy's interrogation.

New development! Carl Levin has threatened to take Michigan's case to the convention in Denver, effectively extending the primary until late August.

We'll what happens...

"A Lot of White People Were Crying!"

2008-05-30T19:44:00.000-04:00

Barack Obama is proving to be the person who gets into more trouble for things other people say than anyone on Earth. Chicago Catholic Priest Michael Pfleger made some loaded comments from the pulpit this past Sunday at Trinity Church. A lot of media has been picking up on this, I think it is silly. How is this any different from people who were official Clinton surrogates (Bob Johnson, Geraldine Ferraro, Senator Clinton herself) This dude resigned from Obama's faith steering committee some time ago. I guess this is the last ditch effort to wrest the nomination from Obama, stay tuned to CSPAN for the DNC meeting on Saturday.

NY Governor pardons Slick Rick!

2008-05-23T15:25:00.000-04:00

Some good news from Albany, NY. Newly appointed Governor David Patterson pardoned hip hop pioneer Slick Rick for a 1991 gun charge. In 1988 Slick Rick released, "The Great Adventures of Slick Rick", often considered one of the greatest hip hip albums of all-time. "La Di Dadi" and "The Show", two songs he performed as a member of Doug E. Fresh's GET FRESH CREW, are unquestionably considered two of the greatest hip hop songs of all-time.

Over the years, the native Brit has dealt with legal problems stemming from the fact he is not an American citizen. The full and unconditional pardon should allow Slick Rick to seek relief from deportation from the federal immigration courts.

Cheers to Slick Rick, a true genius, pioneer and innovator.

My Personal Tribute to Slick Rick THE RULER!

On Vacation in Key West: Feeling It!

2008-05-22T14:53:00.000-04:00

I'm on vacation in Key West, thank my wonderful girlfriend for the fabulous choice. I've never been here before, but now I'm like this is place I want to retire or leave Pittsburgh for. It's like a quasi-3rd World Island on the tip of America. I don't mean 3rd world in a demeaning way, I mean it as a complimentary contrast to the hustle and bustle of the industrial rustbelt where I hail from. I like the fact I can bike or walk everywhere. I see what Ernest Hemingway must've seen in this island back in the day. I would elaborate further but hey i'm in Key West, taking in the sights beats blogging!

“The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.” - Ernest Hemingway

For Hillary...

2008-05-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Senator Clinton,

You're not going to win. You can blame it on whatever you want: unfair media, caucus states or old fashioned American sexism. You can fight on, it doesn't matter; the primary is over. You fought a hard race, now it is time bow out gracefully, I mean this is getting silly. Especially your "spokesperson" Geraldine Ferraro, who reaches new lows on a daily basis. On the Today Show this morning, Congresswoman Ferraro tried to say Obama's "Brush the Dirt Off Your Shoulder Moment" was sexist. Come on, this is sad, this is quite pitiful. I mean cut the crap about fairness and unfairness, you keep trying to change the rules in the middle of game. You can't cry foul when you're the one bending the rules at your whim. Cut the crap about "the will of people", if the DNC overturns this election, YOU will have went against the will of the people. You are destroying the party and the Democrats first true "rock star" in almost 20 years. If you take this away from Obama you will turn the Democratic Party back 150 years. Go ahead do it, I'm begging you to. People will riot all the way to Mile High City and make sure you go down on November 4th. After that they will never support the Democratic Party ever again. Senator, I'm appealing to whatever sense you have left in your narrow minded ego maniacal head. Stop It, It's over. The Clock has struck 12. Please stop and preserve whatever legacy you have left going down the drain.

Sincerly Yours,

K

Investigative Reports: Hillary Clinton, what type of f_ckery is this?

2008-05-18T14:39:00.000-04:00

Definition of f_ckery:: Word of Jamaican Patois Origin

1. Nonsense; To make no sense; Bulls_it.

2. Absolute bulls_it; utter nonsense; something rather suspicious that can bring forth uneasy, angry, or irritated feelings. The stunt pulled by people who don't know how to tell the truth or enjoy messing with people's heads as a hobby.

3. Unrest due to an excess of bad vibes given off by dishonesty, stupidity, fiendish demenors, or f_ckerism.

4. Derived from the term f_ck. Basically, a situation that has changed from being good to a complete f_ck-up.

5. A descriptive word used when something is just plain wrong.

Yesterday I received the following f-ckery email:

from Hillary Clinton
to khari.mosley@gmail.com
date Sat, May 17, 2008 at 12:57 PM
subject Count every vote

Hillary for President

Dear Friend,

Michigan & Florida - Make Sure They Have a Voice!

Millions of voters in Florida and Michigan are depending on you to help make sure they have a voice in this race. Will you stand up for them today?

Thanks to your efforts, thanks to the hundreds of thousands of people who have already spoken out, the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee is meeting May 31 to make a decision about whether or not the votes in Michigan and Florida will count.

Now I need you to urge the DNC to make the right decision on May 31. I need you to remind them that in the Democratic Party, we count every vote.

Tell the Democratic National Committee to count the votes of Florida and Michigan.

On May 31, the DNC has a chance to make it clear that the people of Florida and Michigan have a voice in our party. The decision is especially critical given the important role these states will play in November.

And your voice could make the difference for the millions of people who went to the polls in those two states to make their choice for president.

Stand with me today and tell the DNC to count the votes in Florida and Michigan.

I have consistently said that every vote must count. It is such an important principle in our party. I really appreciate you standing up for the values we share.

Thank you,

Hillary
Hillary Rodham Clinton

P.S. Forward this message on to your friends, and urge them to join you!

I'm thinking to myself this is pure f_ckery, I can't believe they are still trying to play the f-ckery Florida/Michigan card. I'm at a loss for words, to call it desperate would be to state the obvious. There is something serious f_ckery afoot at this point and here is how the F_CKERY got exposed.

Last week on CBS's Early Show, Senator Clinton's Campaign Chairman Terry McAuliffe was quoted as saying, "(Clinton) can move ahead in the popular vote. We're assuming we get Michigan and Florida resolved...On May 31st, the Democratic National Committee rules and bylaws will hear the case and they will make a decision. And if I were a betting man, they're going to let Michigan, Florida -- we cannot disenfranchise two huge states. So, I think that gets resolved on the 31st of this month...Hillary Clinton's 16.9 million people have come out and voted for her...So we're off, we're going forward."

NOTE: This is the same f_ckery dude who as DNC Chair in 2004 met with Michigan Senator Carl Levin about Michigan’s intent to move up their contest to an earlier date in the 2004 primary calendar. In his book ‘What a Party!’, McAuliffe had this to say:

“I’m going outside the primary window,” [Michigan Sen. Carl Levin] told me definitively.

“If I allow you to do that, the whole system collapses,” I said. “We will have chaos. I let you make your case to the DNC, and we voted unanimously and you lost.”

He kept insisting that they were going to move up Michigan on their own, even though if they did that, they would lose half their delegates. By that point Carl and I were leaning toward each other over a table in the middle of the room, shouting and dropping the occasional expletive.

“You won’t deny us seats at the convention,” he said.

“Carl, take it to the bank,” I said. “They will not get a credential. The closest they’ll get to Boston will be watching it on television. I will not let you break this entire nominating process for one state. The rules are the rules. If you want to call my bluff, Carl, you go ahead and do it.”

We glared at each other some more, but there was nothing much left to say. I was holding all the cards and Levin knew it."

Now if this ain't pure f_ckery, I don't know what it is..

If you like me are tired of this type of f_ ckery join me and we together can launch the "No More F_ckery Tour!" and end this type of f_ckery once and for all.

In the meantime join me in a tribute to Hillary and Terry:

Keeping with the Star Wars Theme...

2008-05-05T12:34:00.000-04:00

My good friend Chris sent me this one:

There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no chaos; there is harmony.
There is no death; there is the Force.
-The Jedi Code

Wisdom from Yoda for Obama...

2008-05-05T01:01:00.000-04:00

Today, I took a break from my insane travel schedule and kicked it in Philadelphia with some my closest and dearest friends. I did get a chance to take in Meet The Press, the Celtics/Hawks Game and Michael Moore on Larry King. As I was clicking through the channels I noticed that "Stars Wars III: Revenge of the Sith" was on.

As I watched Yoda duel with The Emperor I began thinking that Senator Obama could use some wise council from none other than the Jedi Master himself at this critical juncture in the campaign. Yoda had faced much adversity during his long life such as: catastrophic accidents, loss, betrayal and near extinction of the Jedi. His experiences have given him the insight to be able to navigate the most daunting scenarios. Imagine if a long time ago in a galaxy far away, Barack Obama had the opportunity to chat with Master Yoda. What do you think Master Yoda would say?

Maybe something like this:

“Ready are you? What know you of ready? Grave danger you are in. Help you I can, yes.

Do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor. Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes.

Your ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Already know you that which you need. Always in motion is the future."

New York State of Mind...

2008-04-25T11:58:00.000-04:00

This morning, 3 NYPD police detectives on trial for the murder of Sean Bell were acquitted of all charges, potentially setting off a tense weekend in the Big Apple.

Immediately after the verdict was handed down, as I traveled from my hotel in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn to the Dumbo section of Brooklyn, I heard murmurs and frustrations from scores of people unsatisfied with judges decision.

Many have called out for peace and calm, including Sean Bell's own family, we'll see if there appeals are heeded or not. I sense a real fervor in the streets of New York, stay tuned. I think this song by New York rapper Papoose reflects the mood of many New Yorker this afternoon.

*The views reflected in this song do not necessarily reflect the views of Dion Dega, Blogger.Com or Mike Bloomberg.

Back from the flames...

2008-04-23T17:20:00.000-04:00

Man the Pennsylvania primary took a lot of me. Sorry for the inconsistent postings. Here's a few thoughts about the Pennsylvania primary:

-The Machine beat the Movement: In a state like Pennsylvania, demographics weren't the only aspect that played well to the Clinton strategy; it was also the powerful democratic machine of Pennsylvania. A throng of elected officials, including over 100 mayors and dozens of party leaders all lined up to support the Hillary Clinton, even though he still has nothing more than a slim chance to win the nomination. That kind of thinking is counterintuitive to this crowd that never takes chances on eventual losers.

-Too Little Too Late: Obama had to much ground to make up and too little time.

-Rendell Was Right: Twenty percent of Pennsylvania Democrats said the race of a candidate played an important role in determining their vote. Clinton won those voters by nearly 20 percentage points, 59 percent to 41 percent.

In the end, I believe Pennsylvania got shortchanged. We are much more than beer drinking, deer hunting, ex-mill workers. We have a rich history, cultural legacy and potentially a bright future if we tackle the REAL PROBLEMS that threaten our prosperity. Issues such as:
-Infrastructure: Our crumbling roads, bridges and inadequate public transit systems
-The Economy: How do we turnaround our struggling former mill and mining towns?
-Crime & Violence: Over 500 people have been murdered in Philadelphia and Allegheny County since January 2007.

So as my parting shot, I give you Lt. Governor Knoll who typifies the flames of Pennsylvania:

Good Night & Good Luck!

Has the campaign gone hip-hop all of a sudden?

2008-04-18T14:40:00.000-04:00

Barack brushes the the dirt off his shoulder

I guess Soulja Boy wasn't feeling the debate either...

For Good Measure...

Back From Hiatus...It's gettin', it's gettin, it's kinda hectic!

2008-04-17T16:18:00.000-04:00

Sorry y'all my new job got a little bit hectic. Pennsylvania is getting hectic too.

Bittergate, the most ridiculous debate ever and we're still 5 days out.

Hillary's Play:

Barack's Response:

This is real funny..

As Slick Rick said once said, "HERE WE GO"!

Crazy Talk, New Polls and Ads in Pennsylvania!

2008-04-08T21:35:00.000-04:00

NEWS FLASH!!!

In the middle of writing this blog I saw this on MSNBC:

Absolutely speechless, now back to the program.

As new a poll showing Obama closing in on Clinton in Pennsylvania, the democratic candidates for President launched new TV ads (Clinton 5 in total) targeting each other's core base. Today, Quinnipiac University released results from their latest poll in a memo declaring, "Obama Catching Up With Clinton In Pennsylvania; She's Losing Ground Even Among Women".

The memo went on to say:
"With two weeks to go, Sen. Barack Obama is knocking on the door of a major political upset in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary. Obama is not only building on his own constituencies, but is taking away voters in Sen. Hillary Clinton's strongest areas - whites including white women, voters in the key swing Philadelphia suburbs and those who say the economy is the most important issue in the campaign," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The Pennsylvania primary is like a game of horseshoes: Sen. Obama needs only to come close to be considered the winner - taking away, perhaps fatally, Sen. Clinton's argument she is the candidate best able to defeat Sen. John McCain in critical swing states like Pennsylvania."

Real Clear Politics did a quick diddy on this as well.

Key info:

- This compares to a 50 - 41 percent Sen. Clinton lead in an April 2 poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN uh-pe-ack) University.

- One of the biggest shifts is among women who went from 54 - 37 percent for Clinton April 2 to 54 - 41 percent for her today. A look at other groups shows:

-Obama leads 55 - 37 percent among Philadelphia voters and 53 - 42 percent in the Philadelphia suburbs, widening a 49 - 44 percent April 2 lead in this critical area.

* White voters for Clinton 56 - 38 percent, down from 59 - 34 percent last week.
* Black voters back Obama 75 - 17 percent, compared to 73 - 11 percent.
* Men are for Obama 48 - 44 percent, compared to a 46 - 46 percent tie last week.
* Voters under 45 go with Obama 55 - 40, while older voters back Clinton 55 - 38 percent.

- By a 71 - 23 percent margin, Pennsylvania likely Democratic primary voters have a favorable opinion of Clinton, compared to 67 - 19 percent for Obama.

- The economy is the single most important issue in deciding their primary vote, 52 percent of Pennsylvania Democrats say, followed by 22 percent who list the war in Iraq and 15 percent who cite healthcare.

Pennsylvania Democrats approve 65 - 23 percent of the way Obama is handling race issues in the campaign, with white voters approving 62 - 25 percent and black voters approving 80 - 14 percent.

Voters approve 56 - 28 percent of the way Clinton is handling race issues, with white approval at 60 - 24 percent and black approval at a negative 35 - 48 percent.

From April 3 - 6, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,340 Pennsylvania likely Democratic primary voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

Check out these new TV Ads!

Remembering the King.

2008-04-06T11:47:00.000-04:00

40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was murdered in Memphis, TN during a visit to support striking sanitation workers. I spent this weekend in Memphis soaking up the spirit of Dr. King and reflecting on the dreamer and the dream deferred. I thought it was poignant that Dr. King died in the midst of the labor struggle, this is a point many people forget. Many people also forget the year before his death he gave his famous speech vilifying the Vietnam War. We too often romanticize the legacy of Dr. King and forget how he had moved far beyond the silo of racial justice to broader issues of social justice including: economic justice, anti-militarism, supporting workers rights, etc.

I spent this past weekend in Memphis with the country's emerging progressive leaders discussing the next phase of the civil rights struggles: connecting the social justice movement to the environmental movement. We can no longer afford to exist in silos, the planet is in peril. We can save the planet and shift the global economy in way that ensures wealth, natural resources and access clean land, water and air is available to all 6 billion members of the human family. This is our moral obligation of the 21st century.

I am convinced that the future of our human existence depends on the next 100 years. I am convinced we have much more in common, than we have differences. I am convinced we share a common destiny. We shall either prosper or perish together. In these coming days embrace your "higher angels", if not for yourself, do it for those who await us in the next world. Do it for those who have yet be born. Dr. King once said: I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.

Let us begin our long journey together.

It Was A Good Day.

2008-04-02T21:52:00.000-04:00

"Just waking up in the morning gotta thank God, I dont know but today seems kinda odd. No barking from the dogs, no smog and momma cooked a breakfast with no hog.... "- Ice Cube

Today, I took the afternoon off so I could take my mother to see Michelle Obama speak at Carnegie-Mellon University. It was the first political event I went to with my mother since my youth, so it was a very interesting experience for me. When I was boy she took me to feminist panel discussions, so it's only right I got the opportunity to take her to see such a dynamic woman speak.

One hour, no notes, pure passion and all intellect. A lot of the people left that gym hoping one day they'll get to vote Michelle Obama for (Fill In the Blank). On the way in, I caught this pic standing in front of the "Hip-Hop Hype Man" Van. In between some of his on fire freestyles and occasional witty one liners, he mentioned he had traveled all around the country selling Barack Obama SWAG. He also mentioned that some true laissez faire economists were selling SWAG from both democratic candidates. The Hip Hop Hype Man thought that was bogus, "You gotta pick a side!", he said before launching into a freestyle flow reminiscent of 3:45am basement keg party cipher circa 1993.

The rest of the day I've been thinking about how funny that was, how good Michelle was, but mostly I've been thinking about my mom and how that picture truly tells the story of my day much better than I could.

The Dream Reborn.

2008-04-01T22:47:00.000-04:00

A Dream Reborn Taken from http://www.dreamreborn.com

Join us on the 40th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. This historic event will celebrate his extraordinary life and present positive solutions from today's generation of visionary leaders. A bullet killed the dreamer, but not the dream. Together, we will create ecological solutions to heal the earth while bringing jobs, justice, wealth and health to all our communities.

The Dream Reborn is a chance to embrace and commemorate the legacy of Dr. King and all of the visionaries and fighters who have stood up for racial justice, hope, unity, and equality for all people. It is also a chance to bring together a generation of new leaders who are taking on the chief moral obligation of the 21st century, building a green economy for all. Together, we will heal our communities, break down barriers of race and class, and build pathways out of poverty to uplift the entire nation.

Of the People, By the People, For the People...

2008-03-30T20:58:00.000-04:00

"Yeah you know how we do, we do it for the people." - Common

As many of you know, I recently left my position at Pittsburgh UNITED to become the League of Young Voters national political/field director. While I look forward to working with young activists, organizers and advocates for progressive issues all over the country, I am still fully committed to the goal of establishing Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) here in Pittsburgh. In fact, I am convinced that CBAs will be a key tool in the transformation of Pittsburgh from a rustbelt milltown in decline, to a vibrant and diverse city that is competitive in the 21st century economy.

For far too long, development has focused solely on how to attract it. In order maximize the dollars we invest in development, we must consider issues such as development standards, social impacts and community benefits. Unfortunately, some have argued that these considerations are an impediment to much-needed economic growth. I argue that CBAs are in fact pro-development, pro-business and pro-community, through encouraging the redevelopment of urban areas and the creation of multiuse, equitable and sustainable growth areas.

The truth is, across the country development standards and community benefits have proven to be good for business. If we do not include them in the development process here, research shows that inequality is likely to grow. Regional inequity not only damages the quality of life of residents, it also hinders economic growth. CBAs ensure that development is equitable and raises the quality of life of all residents -- not just for developers. To quote a recent New York Times op-ed piece by economist and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, the best way to remedy economic downturns in weak market cities such as Pittsburgh is "to increase the wages of the bottom two-thirds of Americans."

Almost a year and a half ago, I was introduced to the concept of CBAs and have been true believer ever since. CBAs assemble powerful coalitions by building bridges between the community groups, people of faith, environmental advocates and organized labor. I am convinced that these coalitions are the foundation of a broad progressive movement that can transform our communities, cities, country and eventually the world.

I ask you join me in showing your support for the residents of the Hill District and citizens across this region who are concerned about how development is done in our region by signing this petition. Community benefits agreements are the only way to ensure that the entire region reaps the benefits of these huge investments. We can no longer trade growth and development for standards and benefits. This is not an either/or proposition; it is a both/and proposition, and the future of our region's economy is hanging in the balance.

Sunday's Good, Better and Best.

2008-03-30T18:12:00.000-04:00

What's up y'all?

It's been another crazy week in Diondegaland. Anyway it is time to check out this week's good, better and best...

Hillary's 3AM Call of Duty: "Because It Takes A Village...To Take A Village!"
(Bill Maher from Real Time is a fool for this one!)

A Beast: The Michael Beasley Highlight Reel. This 6'10'' freshman from the nation's capital averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds for Kansas State. This time next year he could have a multi-million dollar pro contract and a sweet sneaker deal.

Obama on the View: Must See TV!

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

He would not have been my pastor! Hillary in my hometown with tough words for Obama and Rev. Wright. Can you believe the newspaper she sat down with was at the forefront of the "vast right wing conspiracy" and ran this story. Funny how things change huh?

Have A Good Week...

Separated at birth?

2008-03-29T22:42:00.001-04:00

I've been telling anyone who will listen my boy Gavin from Cincy looks like Tyler Hansbrough's lost twin brother. Tyler Hansbrough is the star forward on the Univ. of North Carolina's men's basketball team.

Oh yeah, Gavin's not chopped liver either. He is the Ohio state director for the Center for Progressive Leadership. He was also voted person of the year by Cincinnati's City Beat in 2006.

Unfortunately, too many of you progressive political people (the folks I run in circles with) don't know a damn thing about basketball. So when I mention this odd irony all I get is blank looks.

Anyway Gavin is on the left, Tyler is on the right.

For those who don't know, here is video of Hansbrough dunking on a 7'7'' dude.

Funny right?

The Significance of the Bobby Casey Endorsement.

2008-03-29T21:06:00.000-04:00

“I believe in my heart that there is one person who’s uniquely qualified to lead us in that new direction and that is Barack Obama.”

Yesterday, US Senator Bob Casey endorsed Barack Obama for President in my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I'm thinking it is an interesting move for the only man or woman in PA history to get 3.3 million votes in a statewide election (Nov. '04) . No man or woman running for any office (President, Governor, etc.) in the state of PA has ever got that many votes before or since. Many thought Bobby, as we call him here in PA, would "fall back" and wait until the primary played out to weigh in.

Instead, he took a major swipe at Governor Ed Rendell, Philly Mayor Mike Nutter, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and other leading PA democrats who have rallied around Hillary Clinton's campaign. I think the only way he could of made this move is if he thinks it is over. I mean it's getting pretty personal here in PA, people are getting real "grimy", as we say on the Northside of town. More importantly, this has to be the biggest endorsement in the state. Even though Ed Rendell got the most juice in PA, most would agree that Casey still is the best political "brand name". Bob Casey is integrity, credibility and humility personified, I can see the commercials and mailers now, I'm Bob Casey and I'm asking you to vote for Barack Obama. A Rendell endorsement is interpreted as political; A Casey endorsement is interpreted as principled. Usually endorsements don't mean much, this could be an exception.

By the way, here's an interesting piece on Pittsburgh featuring some of my good friends.

Obama-mania in Pittsburgh!

2008-03-28T14:26:00.000-04:00

Today, Senator Barack Obama made his first major appearance in the Steel City as a presidential candidate. Over 2,500 Obama-starved Western Pennsylvanians packed the historic Soldiers and Sailors Hall on the campus of Pitt to hear Senator Obama's message of hope, unity and change.

In an interesting twist, Senator (and Super Delegate) Bob Casey who is the favorite son of Pennsylvania's first political family, was on hand to introduce and endorse Obama's candidacy for President. Another super delegate of note, Congressman Jason Altmire was in the house as well. I've heard that Hillary's negatives are above 50% in his suburban Pittsburgh district. So does that mean we should expect an Altmire endorsement soon?

Obama spoke for nearly an hour bringing the crowd to its' feet about 20 times, in an atmosphere more fitting of a Kanye West concert. A who's who of Western Pennsylvania was in house including Bill Goodrich, Bev Smith, City Council President Doug Shields, Greg Spencer, Kevin Joyce, City Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess and City Controller Michael Lamb to name a few. I was really impressed by the diversity and enthusiasm of the crowd, I've been to many political rallies and never seen so many "regular people" at a political event before.

It's funny, I've been following this campaign for over a year and thought I knew what Obama-mania was all about. I thought I knew all about it, I must say I didn't then but I do now. It was part rock concert, part mega church service, part sporting event and part self-help seminar. As someone who has spent the better part of this decade getting people involved in the political process, I was excited. To call it electric would be an understatement, it was much more than that. My question is, can that energy sustain itself over time? And I worry about the danger of one person being so associated with a movement. What happens to the movement if there is no Obama presidency?

This Guy Needs His Own Show...

2008-03-26T11:49:00.002-04:00

Protect Ya Neck!

2008-03-26T08:42:00.000-04:00

What your step kid, you best protect ya neck!

The 2008-2009 Pittsburgh City Council is officially on fire! Allegations of threats from the Mayor, personal attacks on each other and unprecedented attempts to reopen the budget, have turned this once polite body into a Wu-Tang Clan video from the early 90's.

Excerpts from today's Post-Gazette:

A divided Pittsburgh City Council set its wallet on fire yesterday, and some members accused Mayor Luke Ravenstahl of supplying the match. By day's end, the flames of council-mayor discord threatened to spread throughout city government.

Councilman Bruce Kraus said Mr. Ravenstahl was behind the escalation in tensions, pointing to a "threat" he said occurred last week at a fund-raiser.

"[The mayor's] exact words were, 'We're coming after you. Try working on $60-plus-thousand dollars a year in your council salary budgets,'" Mr. Kraus said. "And I said, 'If you feel that best serves the interests of the city of Pittsburgh, to cripple City Council, have at it.'"

The blowup followed six weeks of spats over the permitting of billboards, the Urban Redevelopment Authority's budgeting practices and the 58 employees who can take home city cars. Council has sought codified practices, while the administration has argued for flexibility.

The take-home-car reduction passed 5-3, with Jim Motznik, Darlene Harris and Tonya Payne voting no. Dan Deasy abstained. Mr. Ravenstahl has 10 days to let it become law or veto it, and it takes six votes to override a veto. The mayor said he has made no decision.

Mr. Motznik, a mayoral ally, then proposed legislation to strip $150,000 from what he called council "slush funds" and steer it to public safety uses, plus cut council staff spending from $82,872 per district office to $65,000, with those savings going to police. "If we're going to live up to what [Act] 47 says, by the book, here's a good opportunity to do so," Mr. Motznik said. Most members spread their staff allocation among three or four aides. The allocation has dropped from $99,445 in 2004 but has never reached the $65,000 in the plan.

"It seems that my actions to take away the perks of the highest-paid people in the administration have now caused us to receive a firestorm of retaliation," said Mr. Burgess. "Mr. Motznik has become an instrument of brutality to this council and to this city." "It's not an attempt to punish anyone," Mr. Motznik countered. "Reality is that if you're going to live by the sword, you're probably going to have to deal with both sides of the sword."

"I don't think this solves any problem," Ms. Harris said during the debate on mileage reimbursement. "I think it's ridiculous. ... All this is is child's play, and I wish somehow, some way, we could get back to the business of this city."

Things are starting to get interesting on the 5th Floor...

Rob 'biko' Baker

2008-03-25T14:47:00.000-04:00

Meet the New Executive Director of the League!

Sometimes the best leaders are right under our noses. Biko has been with the League since 2003. He came up through the ranks from Local Organizer to State Director to National Organizing Director and member of our executive team. Everyone is thrilled. We just wrapped up the best staff retreat we have had in our five years as an organization, and we were literally celebrating in the middle of it.

Biko is an incredible leader. He intimately understands every aspect of the League's work -- from the streets to the board rooms. He's a manager and a team builder; a moral leader who leads by example; he has a rare ability to build trust across divides. And he understands the numbers-driven science of organizing. In short, he's the whole package. It's already clear to me that Biko is going to be an amazing Executive Director. He's a natural. - Billy "Upski" Wimsatt

Nothing says, "Pittsburgh" like...

2008-03-25T09:58:00.000-04:00

Sunday's Good, Better & Best + The Tuby Awards?

2008-03-23T09:55:00.000-04:00

I Just Wanna Celebrate!

Last Night, I had a great time celebrating my birthday. Friends near and far came out to show and spread love, I was deeply humbled and have much appreciation for all of you. Special shout of thanks goes out to all the well wishers who called me, sent text messages, emails, etc. I also have to say thanks to those who couldn't make it, I'm sure we'll cross paths somewhere out on the town sooner or later!

I think I speak for everyone when I say it was a blast! A diverse, dynamic group of people descended on the Young Bros. Bar in the Brightwood section of the city's Northside. In the house were my brother and his girlfriend Tiff, Dan Lavelle and his fiance' Rachel Riley (congrats), Janis Williams, Shea McKinney, author Steve J, Jen England, Big D, Taili Thompson, Rachel Canning, Tony Lodico, Gwen Moorer, Nathaniel Doyno, State Representative Chelsa Wagner, Bomani Howze, Angel Gober, Evans Moore, my lil' cousin Meka Reed, Rev. Eugene Blackwell, Barney Oursler, Rick Adams, Jeff Dzamko, State Representative Jake Wheatley and Yarone Zober. Thanks Jamie opening up your fine establishment!

Afterwards, many of us headed down to Charismatic Marketing's "Black Party" at Olive or Twist and DJ Nate the Phat did it again! Good people, good music and good venue, two thumbs up.

My Top 3 videos for the week:

America meet the next Miss Knowles: Casey Knowles, the young girl from Hillary Clinton's "3 a.m. Ad", endorses Obama in new commercial.

Cop Essay: An interesting foray into police/community relations.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers upset the Drake Bulldogs on this buzzer-beater shot in overtime in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

The Tuby Awards: Youtube announced the winners of the 2007 "Tubys".

See a listing of the winners of the second annual You Tube Awards.

Next Week: A deeper analysis of the presidential election in Pennsylvania and more...

It's My Birthday!

2008-03-22T00:48:00.001-04:00

Yup March 22nd has rolled around once again. I can't believe another year has went by. Anyways, I'm still doing it big! This year we're bringing it back around the way, Northside that is.

So tonight, catch me from 6pm to 10pm @ the Young Bros. Bar, 1441 Woods Run Ave. (corner of Woods Run & McClure Aves., Woods Run section of the Northside) Immediately afterwards we're off to Olive or Twist (Downtown Pittsburgh) for Nate the Phat Barber's Black Party!

Just got back from DC at the Take Back America Confab, it was real cool. I did several interviews and apparently a lot of my friends and family listen to the shows I was on. Have a listen to my appearance on Talk Radio News

So as I get ready for extended hours of partying, I'll leave you with something semi-reflective/contemplative/Northside cocky, but no matter what I'll never forget y'all!

More Flames @ Fox News

2008-03-21T20:23:00.001-04:00

Brian Kilmead walks off set after excessive Obama bashing.

Chris Wallace sticks up for Senator Obama too.

What more can you say?

From the Pew Research Center:

"Fox's vitality comes as a consequence of another significant change in the media landscape. Political polarization is increasingly reflected in the public's news viewing habits. Since 2000, the Fox News Channel's gains have been greatest among political conservatives and Republicans. More than half of regular Fox viewers describe themselves as politically conservative (52%), up from 40% four years ago. At the same time, CNN, Fox's principal rival, has a more Democrat-leaning audience than in the past."

Davey D takes on Fox News

2008-03-21T18:18:00.000-04:00

My homie Davey D stepped to Fox News real aggressively at the Take Back America Conference. Check it out..

Foxguy
by luvnews

BREAKING NEWS: Bill Richardson endorses Barack Obama!

2008-03-21T13:01:00.000-04:00

Right now former Congressman, former Secretary of Energy and current Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson is endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President. Governor Richardson, a long time Clintonista throws a huge curve ball in the game. This is the capper on a week that may have truly saved his candidacy, a week that started off worse than any Obama supporters could have imagined. First the speech of the century now Richardson's endorsement. The question people are asking is: Is this a preview of the democratic ticket in the fall?

Clutch Performance...

2008-03-19T00:22:00.000-04:00

This morning I witnessed history. Listening to a live radio broadcast in the press room at Take Back America, I heard Senator Barack Obama give the speech that may have turned his sputtering presidential campaign around. More importantly, it may have changed our country forever. In one half hour, Senator Obama effectively reframed the debate, retook the high ground and laid out a bold new strategy for his historic campaign. After the speech, a room full of political bloggers, operatives and journalists erupted in a standing ovation, then suddenly a lone voice said, "That is how we are going to take back America". All I can say is....CLUTCH!!!

No matter how you feel about the campaign, understand that today history was made...

Meet Van Jones...

2008-03-17T10:06:00.000-04:00

My good friend and colleague Biko Baker once said, "Van Jones is the only person I've ever who truly made the green movement relevant to people in the 'hood." Last week he was in Pittsburgh dropping math and science at the Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference. My friend Nate Doyno said, "His head was about to explode", after building with Van on the movement to create 5 million green jobs for poor people and people of color. In about a 1/2 hour I will go hear him speak for the first time at Take Back America's Plenary Session. I will let you know how it goes...

In the meantime read up on this Super Jedi dude from the Bay Area!

Van Jones: Civil Rights Lawyer, Advocate.

"Dr. King didn't get famous giving a speech that said,"I have a complaint." It's time for us to start dreaming again and invite the country to dream with us. We don't have any "throw away" species, nations, or children. We must birth a global green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty."

Born in rural Tennessee, Jones graduated in 1990 from the University of Tennessee and, in 1993, from Yale Law School. At the age of 27, Jones convinced the California State Bar Association to allow him to begin a program that would provide lawyer referral services for police abuse victims. Jones, a civil-rights lawyer, is founder and executive director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, a nonprofit agency for justice, opportunities, and peace in urban America. Located in Oakland, California, the Center focuses on campaigning to reform California’s abusive and costly youth prison system, creating opportunities in the "green" economy for poor communities and communities of color, supporting victims and survivors of police abuse and their families, and uplifting young people and addressing Bay Area violence with a mix of activism and street culture.

Jones has lead many campaigns including Books Not Bars, an advocacy program for parents/grandparents of incarcerated youth in the United States. It has been credited with a 30% drop in the total number of youth incarcerated in California. Additionally Jones sits on numerous governing boards, and following Hurricane Katrina co-founded the largest online activist community addressing Black issues (ColorOfChange.org).

While I Was Gone...

2008-03-16T21:01:00.000-04:00

Hey y'all this past week has been crazy as hell. I just started a new job last week and headed off for an orientation retreat. This week I will be at the Take Back America Conference in Washington, DC. I will be blogging live from the conference with highlights, insights and tidbits.

Ok, so while I was gone it appears that the flames have spread to epic proportions. Here's just a few examples:

Eliot Spitzer: The Empire State's moral crusader got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Looks like a once rising star in the Democratic Party is headed for eternal infamy. I mean how do you explain to your wife getting a hooker the night before Valentine's Day?
Geraldine Ferraro: An case study is crazy talk. I guess I missed her memo that Black Men moved up to the top of "the privilege totem pole". The sad part is I was always down with "Gerrie", ever since she ran for VP in 2004. The Democratic Party is looking like less and less of "shoe in" for 2008. Note to HRC: A scorched earth strategy may not be the best move, when you need 90% of the Black Vote to win.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright: I guess he didn't get Obama's memo to keep a low profile until the day after the first Tuesday in November. I wonder if he thought he was being helpful to the cause, when he said Hillary has never been called a "N-Word". Maybe it is just me but I think he was just a little off message.

I guess one good thing happened while I was gone, the University of Pittsburgh's B-Ball team won the Big East Tourney last night in New York.

On an even better note, it's about to be March Madness Time!

From Ashy to Classy...

2008-03-09T20:07:00.000-04:00

Today 11 years ago, the rapper known as Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls was gunned down in Los Angeles. That day the Hip Hop world lost a legendary standard bearer. I remember the first time I heard Biggie on "Party and Bulls-it", from the Who's the Man Soundtrack. Instead of doing the usual Sunday's Best, I figured I'd do a tribute to B.I.G., with a listing of the favorite lines from my favorite songs that he performed on. We'll always love Big Poppa!

Warning! You are about to enter a non-PC zone!!!

- "(How ya livin Biggie Smalls?) I'm surrounded by criminals, Heavy rollers even the sheisty individuals. Smokin skunk and mad Phillies, Beatin down Billy Badasses, cracks in stacks and masses. If robbery's a class, bet I pass it, Shit get drastic, I'm buryin ya bastards.

Big Poppa never softenin, Take you to the church, rob the preacher for the offerin"

- From "Players Anthem"

- "Frank White the desperado, Used to rock the all black Movado, the all black Eldorado. All that and a bottle of Don P, Niggaz can't harm me, I keep the army. Is Brooklyn in the house? - Without a doubt I'm the rapper with clout everybody yap about, check it out: guns I bust em

Problems with my wife: don't discuss em, Coups and lier jets I lust them fingerprints I dust'em"

- From "Get Money" (Remix)

- "And I'm livin that, whole life, we push weight, Fuck the state pen, fuck hoes at Penn State. Listen close it's Francis, the Praying Mantis, Attack with the Mac, my left hand spit, right hand grip on the whip, for the smooth getaway Playa haters get away or my lead will spray. Squeeze off til I'm empty, don't tempt me, Only, to Hell I send thee, all about the Benji's What??"

-From "All About the Benjamins" (Remix)

- "Straight up honey really I'm askin, Most of these niggaz think they be mackin but they be actin. Who they attractin with that line, "What's your name, what's your sign"? Soon as he buy that wine I just creep up from behind. And ask what your interests are, "who you be with"?

Things to make you smile, what numbers to dial. You gon' be here for a while, I'm gon' go call my crew, You go call your crew, We can rendezvous at the bar around two."

-From "Big Poppa"

- "Was told in shootouts, stay low, and keep firin. Keep extra clips for extra shit, Whos next to flip, on that cat with that grip on rap? The most shady, tell em!, frankie baby, Aint no tellin where I may be, May see me in d.c. at howard homecomin, With my man capone, dumbin, fuckin somethin. You should know my steelo, Went from ten gs for blow to thirty gs a show, To orgies with hoes I never seen befo(re)"

- From "Kick In the Door"

- "B.I.G., P-O, P-P-A, No info, for the, DEA. Federal agents mad cause I'm flagrant, Tapped my cell, and the phone in the basement. My team supreme, stay clean, Triple beam lyrical dream, I be that. Cat you see at all events bent, Gats in holsters girls on shoulders"

- From "Mo' Money Mo' Problems"

- "Damn it feel good to see people up on it , Flipped two keys in two weeks and didn't flaunt it. My brain is haunted, with mean dreams , GS's with BB's on it, supreme schemes, to get Richer than Richie, quickly, niggaz wanna hit me If they get me, dress my body in linen by Armani"

- From "Young G's"

- "I perform like Mike, Anyone -- Tyson, Jordan, Jackson. Action, pack guns, ridiculous, And im, quick to bust, if my ends you touch. Kids or girl you touch, in this world I clutch, Two auto-matoes, used to call me fatso, Now you call me Castro, my rap flows Militant"

- From "Victory"

- "Its on nigga, fuck all that bickering beef, I can hear sweat trickling down your cheek. Your heartbeat sound like sasquatch feet, Thundering, shaking the concrete. Finish it, stop, when I foil the plot, Neighbors call the cops said they heard mad shots. Saw me in the drop, three in the corner, Slaughter, electrical tape around your daughter, Old school new school need to learn though. I burn baby burn like disco inferno"

- From "Who Shot Ya'?"

- "Hunt me or be hunted, three hundred and fifty-seven ways, To summer sautee, Im the winner all day, Lights get dimmer down biggie's hallway. My forte causes caucausians to say, He sounds demented, car-weed scented. If I said it, I meant it Bite my tongue for no-one, Call me evil, or unbelievable."

- From "Unbelievable"

- "Who shot ya? Mob ties like Sinatra, Peruvians tried to do me in, I ain't paid them yet. Tryin to push 700's, they ain't made them yet, Rolex and bracelets is frostbit Rings too, niggas round the way call me Igloo Stick Who?"

- From "Brooklyn's Finest"

- You're wack to me, Take them rhymes back to the factory. I see, The gimmicks...the wack lyrics,

The shit is depressing...pathetic...please forget it. You're mad cause my style you're admiring, Don't be mad...UPS is hiring"

- From "Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)

- "First things first I poppa freaks all the honies, Dummies playboy bunnies those wantin money. Those the ones I like cause they don't get nathan, but penetration unless it smells like sanitation. Garbage I turn like doorknobs, Heart throb never black and ugly as ever. However I stay Coogi down to the socks, Rings and watch filled with rocks"

- From "One More Chance" (Remix)

AND MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!

Read the lyrics here:

I was a terror since the public school era
Bathroom passes, cuttin classes, squeezing asses
Smoking blunts was a daily routine
Since thirteen, a chubby nigga on the scene
I used to have the tre` duce
And the duce duce in my bubblegoose
Now i got the mack in my knapsack
Loungin' black, smoking sacks up in acts
And sidekicks with my sidekicks rockin fly kicks
Honeys want to chat
But all we wanna know is "Where the party at?"
And can i bring my gat?
If not, I hope I don't get shot
But i throw my vest on my chest
'Cause niggaz is a mess
It don't take nothin' but frontin'
For me to start somethin'
Buggin' and barkin' at niggaz like i was duck huntin'
Dumbing out, just me and my crew
Cause all we wanna do is...

Chorus:
Party... And bullshit, and... (x9)

Hugs from the honeys, Pounds from the roughnecks
Seen my man Sei that I knew from the projects
Said he had beef, asked me if I had my peice
Sure do, two .22's in my shoes
Holler if you need me love i'm in the house
Roam and strollin' see what the honeys is about
Moet popping, hoe hopping, ain't no stopping Big Poppa, I'm a BADBOY
Niggaz wanna front, who got your back? (BIGGIE!)
Niggaz wanna flex, who got the gat? (BIGGIE!)
It ain't hard to tell I'm the east coast overdoser
Nigga you scared you're supposed to
Nigga I toast ya, put fear in your heart
Fuck up the party before it even start
Pissy drunk, off the Henny and stuff
Or some brand-nubian shit beatin' down punks!

Chorus

Bitches in the back looking righteous
In a tight dress, i think i might just
Hit her with a little Biggie 101, How to tote a gun
And have fun with Jamaician rum
Conversations, blunts in rotation
My man Big Jacques got the glock in his waist and
we're smoking, drinking, got the hooker thinking
If money smell bad than this nigga Biggie stinking
Is it my charm? I got the hookers eatin out my palm
She grabbed my arm and said "Let's leave calm"
I'm hittin' skins again
Rolled up another blunt, bought a Heineken
Niggaz start to loke out, a kid got choked out
Blows was thrown and a fucking fight broke out

[Music stops, indecipherable sounds of people yelling andarguing,
Biggie breaks it up yelling "Yo chill, man, chill!"]

Can't we just all get along?
So i can put hickies on her chest like Li'l Shawn
Get her pissy drunk off of Don Perrignon
And it's on, and I'm gone
that's that.

[Chorus w/ Puff talking after selected lines]

Party... and Bullshit, (Party.)
and Party... and Bullshit, (Bullshit.)
and Party... and Bullshit, (Party.)
and Party... and Bullshit, (Bullshit.)
and Party... and Bullshit, (Yea... Junior Mafia likes that.)
and Party... and Bullshit,
and Party... and Bullshit, (Uptown likes that.)
and Party... and Bullshit,
and Party... and Bullshit, (Bad Boy likes that.)
and Party... and Bullshit,
and Party... and Bullshit, (Brooklyn Crew likes that.)
and Party... and Bullshit,
and Party... and Bullshit, (Third Eye likes that.)
and Party... and Bullshit,

Campaign Songs

2008-03-07T09:11:00.000-05:00

“Nowhere in this country, from sea to sea, does nature comfort us with such assurance of plenty, such rich and tranquil beauty as in those unsung, unpainted hills of Pennsylvania.” Rebecca Harding Davis

For the next six weeks the political universe will focus on my home state and i'm giddy. I've been taking calls and emails from people all over the country about my thoughts, expectations and predictions. My local reporter friends now sit on conference calls with Andrea Mitchell; How cool is that? And in some strange twist of fate, my buddy Pat Clark has resurrected the THIRD ROUND. Be afraid, be very afraid. Maybe it has something to do with the writer's strike, the first show should air this coming Monday. No matter what PA is in play, and that is more than just a catchy rhyme, it is the truth.

Breaking news: Bill Clinton to meet with Philadelphia Democratic Committee. As a member of Pittsburgh's Democratic Committee, we better get some love too! Thanks Benny G!

Ok, on to the show...

Campaign Songs

As I was driving this morning I asked myself if I were the candidates what would be my theme song right now. So I wrote a blog about wanna read it here it go:

Hillary: The Catwoman of national politics, has proven to have nine lives and a mean fight game. All she needs is that bad-ass leather suit and she's set. If I were her, I'd be bumpin Lil' Kim's "Lighter's Up" in my ride. I know it aint quite PC, but HRC is gangsta, has had her run ins with John Q. Law and her significant other is one of the greatest to ever do it.

Barack: After a streak that rivaled Joe Dimaggio in 1941, the Hope Express blew a tire on the way to the nomination. If I was Mr. Obama, i'd juice up my I-Pod and put on Grateful Dead's "Touch of Grey", an appropriate jam for the moment. Nothing like a little Jerry to get a good progressive off the ropes and back into the middle of the ring. Just stay away from the mind altering stuff that is usually associated with the Grateful Dead, unless the DNC decides to seat Florida and Michigan.

Have a good weekend, if you are not doing anything Friday Night head over to the Shadow Lounge and check out this cool band from Cleveland (did I say that?) Mifune.

Welcome to Pennsylvania...

2008-03-05T09:16:00.000-05:00

"Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh on one end, Philadelphia on the other, and Alabama in between."

-James Carville

Over the next 7 weeks, the entire world will get to know a lot more about my home state of Pennsylvania. The birthplace of our democracy, the cradle of quarterbacks, the home of Ben Franklin and K.Leroy Irvis. (The first Black Speaker of any Legislative body in America)

You will learn all about the Pennsylvania Dutch, (who are really German) the Amish, Primanti Brothers sandwiches, cheesesteaks and pierogies. You will learn about Philly, Pittsburgh, Erie, Johnstown, Altoona, York, Harrisburg, Reading, the Lehigh Valley, Scranton and a bunch of other places you never heard of.

People like Jim Burn, Luke Ravenstahl, Dan Onorato, Bill Deweese, Mark DeVecchio, Don Cunningham, Bob Brady, Mike Nutter, Katherine Baker Knoll, Patrick Murphy, Alison Schwartz, Chaka Fattah, Mike Doyle, Marge Tartaglione and Joe Sennott will become national figures. Ed Rendell's huge shadow over the state will loom larger and larger.

You will hear some great accents, eat some unhealthy food and drink some great booze. You will learn what ward leaders are and what they do. You will meet more pro-choice republicans and pro-life democrats than you can shake a stick at. It's going to be intense, hardfought and taxing, but it will be fun!

Welcome to Pennsylvania America!

He Got Game. (Mike Huckabee)

2008-03-04T21:34:00.000-05:00

Tonight former Arkansas Governor ended his campaign for the Republican Presidential nomination after losing all four contests on "Baby Super Tuesday". Even though he came up short in his overstretched and underfunded upstart attempt for the presidency, Mike Huckabee has proven he got game.

Sometimes it was quibs like, "I didn't major in math, I majored in miracles", in defense of continuing his campaign for weeks, long after McCain's insurmontable delegate lead established him as the presumtive GOP nominee. Other times it was him explaining why he was unfamiliar with the National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's nuclear capability by saying, "The point I'm trying to make is that, on the campaign trail, nobody's going to be able, if they've been campaigning as hard as we have been, to keep up with every single thing, from what happened to Britney last night to who won 'Dancing with the Stars." Every now and then, he would surprise you with the improvisational brilliance of "Which one?", his response to Mitt Romney, after the former Massachusetts governor told him not to try and characterize his position on Iraq. I can forget the hokey Chuck Norris national security commercials. But most of the time it his was beguiling charm, good humor and dogged determination that carried a national campaign team of 30 staffers all the way to March 4th.

So Mike's here to you, see you in 2012 or 2016.

How to pull your own card 101...

2008-03-03T15:49:00.001-05:00

Nuff Said!

Sunday's Good, Better & Best. #2

2008-03-02T08:58:00.000-05:00

It was a busy week, I started out in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and ended up in Columbus, Ohio. Don't worry readers I'm not falling off, just doing God's Work. So now we're gonna try Sunday's Good, Better & Best Volume #2.

Paul Ellis' letter to the Post-Gazette: He is a Pittsburgh-based attorney and the nephew of the late, great August Wilson, America's answer to William Shakespeare. This week he wrote a letter debunking the myths associated with the Hill District's struggle to secure a Community Benefits Agreement with the Pittsburgh Penguins ownership/developers of the new Hockey Arena.

Jack Nicholson endorses Hillary: One of America's iconic film stars drops a banging-ass video featuring clips from his movies mashed up into a quasi campaign commercial for Senator Clinton.

Is Will.I.Am Barack Obama's ghost media consultant? The Black Eye Pea's front man releases the follow up to "Yes We Can", in the form of "We are the Ones", a quote Obama has been using lately based on a Hopi Indian Prophecy. *Note: Milwaukee's Campaign Against Violence popularized the term in late 2004.

Kanye Handimation? I don't even have words for this, check it out.

Tit for Tat: Who do you want answering the phone in the White House at 3am?

Hillary's pitch

Barack's counter

50 Cent disses Fat Joe: I don't know about that one "Fi-tee", Fat Joe ain't no studio gangsta.

Michigan coach ON FIRE: Michigan Women's B-Ball Coach Kevin Borseth loses it during post-game press conference.

Music Video of the week: Knarls Barley's "Run"

RIP Myron Cope: NUFF SAID

Good Night, Good Luck and Have a Good Week!

DJ Khalid gives a sneak preview of new Nas track

2008-03-01T09:05:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RXQAQa03-M&feature=related

Pure Fire!

Hello, Hello, They Know, They Know!

2008-02-24T19:11:00.000-05:00

And yeaaaahhhh I'll see you later BIG UPS... TO ALL MY HATERS!

Looks like the New York Times has an idea of who the democratic nominee will be.

"There is a widespread feeling among donors and some advisers, though, that a comeback this time may be improbable. Her advisers said internal polls showed a very tough race to win the Texas primary — a contest that no less than Mr. Clinton has said is a “must win.” And while advisers are drawing some hope from Mrs. Clinton’s indefatigable nature, some are burning out.
Morale is low. After 13 months of dawn-to-dark seven-day weeks, the staff is exhausted. Some have taken to going home early — 9 p.m. — turning off their BlackBerrys, and polishing off bottles of wine, several senior staff members said."

I bet somewhere Barack is doing the Heisman pose singing, "Hello, Hello, They Know, They Know!"

Sunday's Good, Better & Best.

2008-02-24T10:25:00.000-05:00

I'm trying something new here at Dionedga 412. I have dubbed it "Sunday's Good, Better & Best", a listing of my favorite youtube clips, with a little sprinkle of Diondega in the form my humble opinion. Enjoy, I hope.

But before we go there...

Once Again It's On!

Ralph Nader is back in the game: In 2000, Ralph Nader ran for President as the authentic alternative to Al Gore's "progressive light". Many still blame his third party candidacy for George Bush's narrow victory. This morning on Meet the Press, the quintessential consumer advocate announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Imagine what would happen if Nader was blamed for spoiling an Obama victory this November?

Clinton and Obama: With the once unbeatable Clinton's Express barrelling down the road to nowhere, Clinton threw the gloves off after a congenial debate Thursday night. Senator Clinton compared Barack Obama to George Bush, calling a recent Obama direct mailing criticizing Clinton's health care plan and NAFTA's record stealing jobs from the rust belt. Clinton chastised Obama ordering him to, "Meet me in Ohio!" Is this a desperate last resort attempt to score an upset knockout or a legitimate knock?

Sunday's Good, Better & Best!

Allen Iverson hearts Michael Jackson: Denver Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony outs Allen Iverson as a MJ superfan saying, "he's probably the biggest Michael Jackson fan of all time, I know he don't want me saying this, but..." Now we know what he's doing when he's not at practice.

Republicans, Democrats and Wiretaps Oh My: Recent republicans and democrats released competing videos that contrast their positions on intelligence. The Republicans feel like we should sacrifice civil liberties for security. The Deomcrats take the Ben Franklin position, "

The Republican Take:

The Democratic Take:

Investigate a Super Delegate: Why Tuesday's Jacob Soboroff launches the Super Delegate Investigation Project. Find out more about these democrats who put the "smoky" in back room politics. Or is it the "backroom", or smoky politics?

Check Out Terrelle Pryor: He's one of the most sought after High School QB's in the history of Western Pennsylvania. What is that so special? For your information: Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Jim Kelly and Joe Montana are just a few of the QB's who are from Western Pennsylvania.

A transparent and honest Hillary: A great spoof video.

And finally...Do Words Matter?

Hell yeah!

But whose words are they?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Closer to your dreams...

2008-02-22T19:31:00.000-05:00

Dear Senator Obama,

You have run one amazing campaign. Your message of hope, optimism and unity has inspired this country in a way we haven't seen in over a generation. You are inching closer and closer to history's doorstep.

Be encouraged Senator, even though you are still "miles and months away" from the ultimate goal. As you continue your historic trek, I wanted to see you a video shout in the form of Goapele's classic, "Closer". Think about this song as you get closer and closer to your dreams.

Be well,

K

Excerpts from "Closer", by Goapele

Some times you just have to let it go (Let it go, let it go)
Leaving all my fears to burn down
Push them all away so I can move on
Closer to my dreams
Feel it all over my being
Close your eyes and see what you believe

I'll be moving higher (Moving higher)
Closer to my dreams
And higher and higher, higher
Feel it in my being (I can feel it flow around me)
I know that I could not go alone (No, no)

I'm moving higher (Higher), oh...
I'm going higher and higher and higher (Higher and
Higher)
Closer to my dreams (Higher and higher, oh...oh...)
I'm moving upward and onward and beyond all I can see
(Stretching out my arms so I can reach)

Feels so close it's like i can just reach
I can feel my dreams (Closer to my dreams)
I'm moving closer to my dreams
I'm moving (Higher and higher) higher and higher
(Higher and higher)
Moving higher, oh...

Rest In Peace.

2008-02-21T10:41:00.000-05:00

"I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color." - Malcolm X

El-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, or Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was assassinated at a speaking engagement in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965. Fifteen hundred people attended Malcolm's funeral in Harlem at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ on February 27, 1965. After the ceremony, friends took the shovels from the gravediggers and buried him themselves. He is buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

Malcolm X's Eulogy

Eulogy delivered by Ossie Davis at the funeral of Malcolm X

Faith Temple Church Of God
February 27,1965

"Here - at this final hour, in this quiet place - Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes -extinguished now, and gone from us forever. For Harlem is where he worked and where he struggled and fought - his home of homes, where his heart was, and where his people are - and it is, therefore, most fitting that we meet once again - in Harlem - to share these last moments with him. For Harlem has ever been gracious to those who have loved her, have fought her, and have defended her honor even to the death.

It is not in the memory of man that this beleaguered, unfortunate, but nonetheless proud community has found a braver, more gallant young champion than this Afro-American who lies before us - unconquered still. I say the word again, as he would want me to : Afro-American - Afro-American Malcolm, who was a master, was most meticulous in his use of words. Nobody knew better than he the power words have over minds of men. Malcolm had stopped being a 'Negro' years ago. It had become too small, too puny, too weak a word for him. Malcolm was bigger than that. Malcolm had become an Afro-American and he wanted - so desperately - that we, that all his people, would become Afro-Americans too.

There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times. Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain - and we will smile. Many will say turn away - away from this man, for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man - and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate - a fanatic, a racist - who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say to them : Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him.

Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood! This was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves. Last year, from Africa, he wrote these words to a friend: 'My journey', he says, 'is almost ended, and I have a much broader scope than when I started out, which I believe will add new life and dimension to our struggle for freedom and honor and dignity in the States. I am writing these things so that you will know for a fact the tremendous sympathy and support we have among the African States for our Human Rights struggle. The main thing is that we keep a United Front wherein our most valuable time and energy will not be wasted fighting each other.' However we may have differed with him - or with each other about him and his value as a man - let his going from us serve only to bring us together, now.

Consigning these mortal remains to earth, the common mother of all, secure in the knowledge that what we place in the ground is no more now a man - but a seed - which, after the winter of our discontent, will come forth again to meet us. And we will know him then for what he was and is - a Prince - our own black shining Prince! - who didn't hesitate to die, because he loved us so."

"…I always had a deep affection for Malcolm and felt that he had a great ability to put his finger on the existence and the root of the problem. He was an eloquent spokesman for his point of view and no one can honestly doubt that Malcolm had a great concern for the problems we face as a race." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a telegram to Betty Shabazz after the murder of Malcolm X.

Rest In Peace Brother Malcolm.

The Anatomy of a Political Beatdown.

2008-02-20T01:06:00.000-05:00

During MSNBC's coverage of Tuesday's primaries, Hardball anchor Chris Matthews politically decapitated Texas State Senator Kirk Watson, an Obama surrogate. Watson, a state senator, attorney and former Mayor of Austin was on MSNBC to represent the Obama campaign opposite of Congresswoman Cynthia Tubbs-Jones of Ohio. After Tubbs-Jones gave an extended salvo, Senator Watson rebutted and unassumingly waltzed into a lion's den.

Chris Matthews launched a preempted strike asking Watson, “What’s the unique selling point of Barack Obama to Texans?" Watson responded by making remarks about Obama's uncanny ability to coalition build, inspire and restore a sense of hope. Matthews then shot back: “You are a big Barack supporter aren’t you senator?”

“Yes, I am,” Watson replied.

“Name some of his legislative accomplishments,” Matthews retorted aggressively.

Clearly caught off guard and rattled, Watson gave no response.

“Sir, you have to give me his legislative accomplishments,” Matthews said, continuing his onslaught. “You support him for president. You are on national television. Name his legislative accomplishments, sir. Can you name anything he has accomplished, SIR?”

Watson stammered and paused.

“List Barack Obama’s accomplishments as a senator now. NOW.” Mathews commanded.

Watson was clearly overwhelmed, embarrassed, out gunned and speechless.

The camera returned to Matthews and Countdown’s Keith Olbermann, who appeared stunned by Matthews' attack asked Chris to, "Name one accomplishment the Senate has made this year?"

Matthews justified his inquisition by saying, “He is here to defend Barack Obama and he had nothing to say. That’s a problem,” . “Why do you think they call it Hardball?”

“But this isn’t Hardball. We are doing the election results,” Olbermann cleverly responded.

Keith was wrong, this is hardball...future surrogates BEWARE!

See it for yourself here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/19/chris-matthews-humiliates_n_87493.html

See a mixed martial arts re-enactment:

Or a Sith Lord re-enactment:

"Talent alone won't make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: 'Are your ready?" - Johnny Carson

Malcolm X and Hip-Hop

2008-02-19T11:57:00.000-05:00

As a young Hip-Hopper in the 80's and 90's the rhetoric, philosophy and legacy of Malcolm had a huge influence on my generation. Groups such as X-Clan, Public Enemy and Boogie Down Productions, re-introduced the civil rights and Black Power movements to us in a Hip Hop form.

"What's my mindstate if my state ain't Black, but Moses, Malcolm and Huey are back."
- Brother J, X-Clan

Below is reading of Malcolm X's "Message to the Grassroots", by Mos Def.

Remembering Malcolm X.

2008-02-18T20:04:00.000-05:00

43 years ago this week, Malcolm X was murdered in his beloved Harlem, New York. All week I will posting videos highlighting various views, insights and perspectives from a man whose transformation from common hoodlum to cultural icon is an inspiration for all people to this very day.

"Sitting at the table doesn't make you a diner, unless you eat some of what's on that plate. Being here in America doesn't make you an American. Being born here in America doesn't make you an American." - Malcolm X

The Barack Invasion.

2008-02-17T23:45:00.000-05:00

Over the past several months Barack Obama has ascended to the ultimate level of American iconic status, the Rock Star. From city to city, Obama is attracting crowds in the tens of thousands from Boise, to Atlanta, to the Bay Area, prompting many to compare the buzz surrounding his campaign to the British invasion of 1964.

Most recently there have documented incidents of people fainting in the crowd at Obama rallies. http://www.poetv.com/video.php?vid=31118

Is this the new blueprint for American political leaders? Some would argue that we need things like substance, details and platform. That's not to say Obama completely lacks all of that, but it is clear he is taking a new route to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In an entertainment based society with tens of millions of Americans raised on a generation of ESPN, MTV and HBO; it makes sense that a "Rock Star President" fits their sensibilities. In 21st century America, Obama may well be the 21st century candidate.

“Fads don't last, but it should be clear by now that the Beatles are no ordinary fad.”

Ready or Not?

2008-02-15T09:54:00.000-05:00

The Governor, PA's First Lady and Me at the Governor's Mansion last year.

Last week Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell told the Editorial Board of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette while discussing the Presidential race that, "You've got conservative whites here (in Pennsylvania), and I think there are some whites who are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate." He went on to add, "I believe, looking at the returns in my election, that had Lynn Swann [2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate] been the identical candidate that he was --well-spoken, charismatic, good-looking -- but white instead of black, instead of winning by 22 points, I would have won by 17 or so."

See the remarks for yourself here:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08044/857074-35.stm

The comment sent shockwaves throughout the national political establishment. Ed Rendell, the popular Governor, former District Attorney, Mayor of Philadelphia and DNC Chairman, is well respected in the African-American community. Some have accused Rendell of race baiting and are blaming "a desperate" Clinton camp for sending out surrogates to do their "dirty work". "This is a pattern," complained one poster on the Web site DailyKos. "The Clintons tried to split the race along racial lines as soon as they looked vulnerable."

Mr. Swann, Pennsylvania's 2006 Republican gubernatorial nominee, yesterday issued a scathing critique of Rendell's remarks, calling them "unnecessary, certainly insensitive. I think it's obvious that Ed Rendell is looking for a place to support Mrs. Clinton and took an opportunity to make a statement that would be negative toward her opponent," Mr. Swann said. "There's no need for Ed Rendell to make that comment whatsoever, and I think it's arrogant on his part to make the statement that he still would have won by 17 percent."

As of late the Governor has somewhat peddled from his statement, "I regret saying it because of the way it was interpreted," the governor said recently. "Remember -- I always tell the truth. Maybe I'm wrong, but I tell what my experience has taught me. What's so frustrating about this is that in this business, if you give an honest answer, you get skewered for it," Mr. Rendell said. "If you give the politically correct answer, the press says, 'Aw, that guy, he's just a shucker and jiver and never gives a straight answer.' I get in trouble for telling the truth." Governor Rendell then went to MSNBC to give his side of the story:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/23151241#23151241

We can debate whether the comments were racist, insensitive or misinterpreted. I say that while I have always admired the Governor as the most savvy politician in the Keystone State, he really stepped in a minefield on this one. The bigger question is: Are white Pennsylvanian's ready to vote for Barack Obama, or not? And will Pennsylvania become another South Carolina?

Barack Obama's to do list to wrap up nomination.

2008-02-13T09:39:00.001-05:00

Last night, Barack Obama continued his momentum, propelling his "improbable" campaign closer to a historic nomination. With a favorable campaign calendar ahead before upcoming battles in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania; the junior Senator for Illinois can close the door on Hillary Clinton's once inevitable and invincible candidacy. If I was Senator Obama this would be my to do list for the month of February.

Harness the momentum and quietly begin to convince the voters and insiders the race is over.
Talk up NAFTA, job losses and the economy to rust-belt voters in Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Correlate economic tough times in the rust-belt to the costs of the war.
Win Wisconsin decisively.
Talk like the underdog, walk like the nominee.
Show your toughness.
Convince John Edwards to endorse you.
Decide whether Ohio or Texas is more winnable and go win one of them.
Study up and nail the Ohio and Texas debates.
Lay groundwork in Pennsylvania now in the event Clinton wins Ohio and Texas.
Continue to draw contrasts with John McCain, giving voters a preview of how you'll aggressively take on the GOP.
Get more and more specific as the weeks go on.

So get to it Senator, below is a tutorial how to do one on your I-Pod Touch. (If you have one.)

Is Barack Obama the Chosen One?

2008-02-13T00:02:00.000-05:00

"He is the Chosen One...he will...bring balance."
- Qui-Gon Jinn's dying words in The Phantom Menace

There is a lot of talk about Barack Obama being an almost messianic political figure. Some of my fellow pundits have quibbed that Barack has "jumped the matrix" by 20 years, meaning that he's essentially has shifted the political landscape 20 years with his historic campaign for President. Has Barack Obama really, "jumped the matrix?" Is he the transformative political figure who will be to the left what Reagan was to the right?

More than yes or no, I think the answer is he'll have to be. I believe Barack Obama, if elected, must figure out a way to keep this unique coalition energized, while ensuring a second term. He would go the White House with more pressure, scrutiny and expectations than any President than history. Senator Barack Obama could soon find himself in the unenviable position of a mythical Neo or Anakin Skywalker, forced to carry the burden of saving the world.

How does Obama pull this off? He will have execute a political strategy that moves forward enough liberal initiatives to placate his base, while holding onto independents and moderates. At the same time he'll have to do this while as media ends their honeymoon and the GOP refines their game plan. He'll go into office immediately preparing his re-election campaign, trying to balance a delicate coalition, campaign promises and the political realities of being the leader of the free world.

The only way he can pull this off is by being the chosen one. What does that mean? It means he must bring to bear his biggest strength, the people. He must figure out how to continue to mobilize his base to move his liberal agenda forward. It is not himself that makes him the chosen one, it is the people. It is the people that he inspires who can improve the environment, reform health care and fix the economy. The community organizer who would be President will have to use a page from that old Chicago organizing playbook:

"Change means movement. Movement means friction. Only in the frictionless vacuum of a nonexistent abstract world can movement or change occur without that abrasive friction of conflict."
-Saul Alinsky

This means he must agitate his coalition to agitate him to make change. If he's the Chosen One, he'll pull it off. The video below is dedicated to those would-be Chosen Ones.

The N-Word

2008-02-12T18:18:00.000-05:00

"See, nigga first was used back in the deep south,
Fallin out between the dome of the white mans mouth
It means that we will never grow, you know the word dummy
Other niggas in the community think its crummy
But I dont, neither does the youth cause we
Em-brace adversity it goes right with the race
And being that we use it as a term of endearment
Niggas start to bug to the dome is where the fear went
Now the little shorties say it all of the time
And a whole bunch of niggas throw the word in they rhyme
Yo I start to flinch, as I try not to say it
But my lips is like the oowop as I start to spray it"
-Q-Tip, from "Sucka Nigga"

Nas pushed the envelope on the rep carpet of the Grammy's. "No longer are Black People just niggers, it's me and you", he said in a live interview on CNN. I'm sure this is just the beginning of a longer conversation about the use of this word, in light the Michael Richardson, Don Imus and Dog the Bounty Hunter incidents. I look for Nas to make a huge splash this year. Even the hip hop group Cunning Linguists used the Nas album to promote their upcoming LP, "Dirty Acres."

It's hilarious check it out:

Yes We Can, Kinda...

2008-02-11T16:50:00.000-05:00

Gonna Be Wars, I'm Sorry To Tell You There Will Be Other Wars...

We Are Gonna Have A Lot Of Combat Wounds, It's Gonna Be Tough...

That Old Beach Boys Song, "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran"...

If you think think things are bad now, if we withdrawal you aint see nothing yet...

It was a good idea...

I don't think Americans are concerned if we are there for 100 years, 1,000 years or 10,000 years...

Maybe a Hundred? That's Fine With Me...

-Words courtesy of Senator John McCain

Obama wins four states and a grammy.

2008-02-11T12:11:00.000-05:00

Obama bests Hillary, Bubba, Jimmy Carter & Maya Angelou in a 48 hour span...

This weekend Obama won four states convincingly, continuing his historic run for the democratic nomination. His most impressive win this weekend may have been his Grammy for spoken word album. Obama defeated former Presidents Clinton and Carter, Alan Alda and Maya Angelou for the audio version of the book, "Audacity of Hope".

Obamamania was felt throughout the Grammy Awards with Will.I.Am & John Legend, both who appeared on the "Yes We Can", video were featured in live performances. The most telling moment of the night was when Herbie Hancock, chanted YES WE CAN after winning the album of the year award.

This was his second Grammy.

In other Grammy news, Kanye West killed it with a heartfelt tribute to his mother the late Dr. Donda West. He also took his good old time when he accepted the award for hip hop album of the year, continuing his speech well after the "wrap it up" music started playing. Hip Hop legend Nas made a splash as well, wearing t-shirts promoting his soon to be released album, "N-gger". Check out his red carpet interview on CNN.

Grand Slam!

2008-02-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

Barack Obama goes 4 for 4 this weekend, continuing the momentum he's been picking up post-South Carolina. On Saturday, he carried Washington, Louisiana and Nebraska in convincing fashion. Today, won the state of Maine with 57% of the vote. With the Obama friendly "Beltway Primary" in the crosshairs on Tuesday, Barack could wake up Wednesday morning with seven straight victories and 21 primary victories to Clinton's 10.

The question will be can Clinton afford to wait for a March 4th firewall in the Buckeye and Lone Star states; or will Obamamania be unstoppable especially if he carries Wisconsin on February 19th?

We're heading into the bottom of the 5th inning of a 9 inning game, if Obama has as good of a bullpen as he does a lineup, he'll be the democratic nominee for president.

Can You Dig It?

2008-02-08T10:48:00.000-05:00

Barack Obama's candidacy, win or lose, is destined for the history books. He is writing the blueprint for Democrats challenging the powers and principalities of the party machinery.

Raise money big & small! The $ 32 million he raised in January is amazing considering the amount of small donors. Not to mention the amount of total donors since the beginning of the campaign, 300,000+.
Build a non-traditional coalition: Upscale liberals, Black & Young Voters. This is something Bill Bradley couldn't do in 2000.
Play to your strengths: Charisma, Freshness & Relevance. He's so damn charismatic compared the stale politics we've grown accustomed to. He's a fresh face is a roomful of familiar ones. He's hip, relevant and speaks in a language people can relate to, a language that people have been waiting to hear a politician speak in.
Make your weakness a strength: He's playing his lack of national political experience like Jimi Hendrix on an electric guitar.

Now with eight Obama-friendly states up next (huge blocs of Black, upscale & young voters), he could begin to build up the momentum he needs for the upcoming showdowns in Ohio, Texas & Pennsylvania.

Can you dig it?

A foreshadowing?

2008-02-03T22:21:00.001-05:00

"Sports is a metaphor for overcoming obstacles and achieving against great odds. Athletes, in times of difficulty, can be important role models."
-Bill Bradley

If tonight's Super Bowl was any indication, the angels of good fortune may be on the side of the Barack Obama. For two weeks the New York Giants were told they had no chance to beat the New England Patriots, coming into the game as 12 1/2 point underdogs. People were already crowning the Patriots as the best football team of all time and planning Tom Brady's coronation as King of the World. A scrappy team led by an anal coach, rugged veterans and the underachieving member of football's first family; defeated the heavily favored Patriots is one of the most memorable Super Bowls of all time.

Senator Barack Obama is hoping for a similar win after a year of hearing it is not his time, he's too inexperienced and America's not ready for him. In the last week Obama has been picking up an incredible amount of momentum pulling within the margin of error in several national polls. In the latest USA Today poll Obama is actually up one point. He's also has been racking up major endorsements: the Los Angeles Times, Maria Shriver & Garrison Kellor. Not to mention the buzz being generated by the star studded "Yes We Can" video that is lighting the internet on fire. What looked like a foregone conclusion after New Hampshire and Nevada may turn out to be a upset special. So maybe, just maybe Obama might do on Tuesday Night what Eli and company did tonight in Glendale, Arizona.

"We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics…they will only grow louder and more dissonant ……….. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope."

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

I dedicate this video to all those who still believe that a David, some faith and a slingshot can slay a Goliath...

Yes We Can!

2008-02-03T00:46:00.001-05:00