Eli's Blog

To be frankly honest...

I am too blessed to be stressed.

Do "Our People" View Things As Sacred As "We" Have In The Past?  If not, then does capitalism and commercialism financially benefit from this degradation of "OUR" culture?

http://blackbiz.meetup.com/248/

Just a few topics of discussion:
Abuse Of Discretionary Powers By Judges In Both Civil And Criminal Courts
African-Americans In Foreign Relations
Are Women In The DC Area Too "Picky" When It Comes To Finding Mr. Right?
Are You "Straight Up" When It Comes To Love?
Democrats And Republics On Domestic Policy
Divorce In The African-American Households Versus Caucasian Households: What Are The Long And Short Term Impacts?
Do "Our People" View Things As Sacred As "We" Have In The Past?  If not, make a list long of them, then answer...does capitalism and commercialism financially benefit from this degradation of "OUR" culture?
Do Politicians Make Reasonable Attempts To Address Concerns Of "Our" People?
Do We Tend To Associate Or Help One Another When There Exist Something To Gain, Ie Income, Intimacy, Popularity, Significance, Being Heard, etc?

Do You Believe In Dating Multiple People During The Same Period Of Time?
Do You Believe That "We" Have A Voice?
Does Bill Really Get It?
Does The Congressional Black Caucus Truly Represent The Voice Of African-Americans?
Hillary Or Obama: Who Do You Support?
How Does Class Play A Role Within Our Culture?
How Much Is Main Stream Media The Blame For White Folks Perceptions Of Black Folks?
How Much Is Main Stream Media The Blame For Black Folks Perceptions Of Black Folks?
How To Lobby On The Hill
Immigration Reform
Institutional Child Support Vs What Is Really Spent On The Child
Is It More Expensive To Be Married Or Single?
Is There A Need For African-American Mentorship Beyond College?
Is Your Family Torn Apart By The Lack Finances Or The Success Of One Member And Not The Other?
Last Hired, First Fired Syndrome
Mainstream R&B And Hip-Hop: Are There Any Limits
Micheal Baisden, Steve Harvey, Tom Joyner: What Is Thier Social Responsibility To The African-American Culture?
Morality As Defined By Black Folk
Students Loans
Supreme Court Ruling On Race Plans
The Church's Role: Then And Now
The Jena Six

** The Michael Vick Situation - The "system" mainly allows athletes opportunities to purely socialize with socially ignorant thugs (whom only stick around when there is something to gain) or the rich Bourgeoisie (whom generally don't give a hoot about the athlete's wellbeing)...hardly ever normal folk.  Is Vick narcissistic like many of our professional athletes? **

Trust In Relationships?
What Is Your Field, Hometown, Asperations, Etc.?
What Ways Has Incarceration Been A Detriment Or Benefit To Our Culture?
What Would You Do With An Extra $3000.00 Of Disposable Income?
When Is The Right Time To Get Married?
Why Are There Fewer Available "Good" Men/Women In Certain Parts Of The Country?
Why Can't "We" Work Together To Start Companies And Corporations?
Would You (Women) Date A Man Whom Makes Less Money Than You?
Would You Date Anyone Whom Does Not Have A College Degree?
Would You Date Outside Of Your Race If The Opportunity Presented Itself And Why Not?

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS?
Bring Many More Topic.

Lively conversation and great people!
 

Question: What is the true state of "Black America"? This month's meetup celebrates the debut of a new experience in downtown Silver Spring . Highland Origin Coffee is an upscale after work affair that allows you to kick back, fellas loosen your ties, ladies feel free to kick off your shoes as you relax in the comfy confines of the coffee shop. The new café, with ample public parking spaces next to it, spans a block on Fenton in the fast-growing downtown Silver Spring . The coffee shop features large wall-to-wall windows, wireless internet, fireplace, convivial environment, friendly staff and outside seating for a bright, sun-filled experience...

 
***footage and interview opportunities***

Who: open to the public
What: meetup day
When: Thursday, September 27, 2007 , 6:00 PM
Where: Highland Origin Coffee
8200 Fenton Street; Silver Spring , Maryland
Silver Spring , MD 20910
(301) 495-6302
URL:         
http://blackbiz.meetup.com/248/calendar/6306700

What is Sprig's Stand on the Jena Six?

 
The Sprig Institute does not condone violence of any kind, but this situation raises very serious questions of injustice and inequality in America.  Racism is a rejection of the teachings of Jesus Christ and almost every other honored religion throughout the world.  There is no excuse for this form of oppression and hatred.  Injustice such as this occurs more often than is known by the general public.  We believe that policy change and federally set standards are the only viable solutions to deterring overt and institutional racism.  The African-American culture does not have the resources to nationally rally around every injustice.  This is more reason to aggressively leverage the influence of our federally elected representatives to change policy public.  We are moving back to a time prior to the Civil Rights Movement of the Sixties...We need more African-Americans, whom are not acting on hidden agendas, to take on leadership roles in developing Domestic Policy.  There is little to no accountability nor checks and balances within the Judicial Branch of our government in both criminal and civil courts.  This is a brand of state sponsored racism.  Even prior to this incident, we have made many attempts to contact the civil rights divisions of the Department of Justice.  We have never reach anyone, nor have any telephone calls been returned.  I urge you to call the civil rights divisions of the Department of Justice at 202/336-6029.  If you do not reach a real person nor receive a returned phone call, then access http://www.house.gov/, call your representative, ask to speak to the Legislative Director, request that a bill be sponsored that will bring "Uniform Standards" (the wording is important in order to pass constitutional muster) to both civil and criminal courts, and follow-up a week later with a letter.

The buck stops here.  
- Eli

Last fall in Jena, Louisiana, the day after two Black high school students sat beneath the "white tree" on their campus, nooses were hung from the tree. When the superintendent dismissed the nooses as a "prank," more Black students sat under the tree in protest. The District Attorney then came to the school accompanied by the town's police and demanded that the students end their protest, telling them, "I can be your best friend or your worst enemy... I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen."

1
A series of white-on-black incidents of violence followed, and the DA did nothing. But when a white student was beaten up in a schoolyard fight, the DA responded by charging six black students with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
It's a story that reads like one from the Jim Crow era, when judges, lawyers and all-white juries used the justice system to keep blacks in "their place"--but it's happening today. The families of these young men are fighting back, but the odds are stacked against them. Together, we can make sure their story is told, that this becomes an issue for the Governor of Louisiana, and that justice is provided for the Jena 6. It starts now. Please add your voice:
http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/?id=1847-176462a>
The noose-hanging incident and the DA's visit to the school set the stage for everything that followed. Racial tension escalated over the next couple of months, and on November 30, the main academic building of Jena High School was burned down in an unsolved fire. Later the same weekend, a black student was beaten up by white students at a party. The next day, black students at a convenience store were threatened by a young white man with a shotgun. They wrestled the gun from him and ran away. While no charges were filed against the white man, the students were arrested for the theft of the gun.

The Jena Six are lucky to have parents and loved ones who are fighting tooth and nail to free them. They have been threatened but they are standing strong. We know that if the families have to go it alone, their sons will be a long time coming home. They will lose precious years to Jena's outrageous attempt to maintain a racist status quo. But if we act now, we can make a difference.
Please add your voice to the voices of these families in Jena, and help bring Mychal, Theo, Robert, Carwin, and Bryant home. By clicking below, you can demand that Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco get involved to make sure that justice is served for Mychal Bell, and that DA Reed Walters drop the charges against the 5 boys who have not yet gone to trial.
http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/?id=1847-176462a>
Thank You and Peace,
-- James, Van, Gabriel, Clarissa, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
   July 17th, 2007

References:
1. "Injustice in Jena as Nooses Hang From the 'White Tree,'" truthout, July 3, 2007
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/070307B.shtml

2. "Racial demons rear heads," Chicago Tribune, May 20, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/yvh7t5
3. See reference #1.
4. See reference #1.
5. "'Jena Six' defendant convicted," Town Talk, June 29, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/ysxtgg
Other resources:
NPR: Searching for Justice in Jena 6 Case (streaming audio)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId
=11756302
Democracy Now! - The case of the Jena Six ...
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/10/
1413220
Too Sense: Free The Jena Six Now
http://halfricanrevolution.blogspot.com/2007/07/free
-jena-six-now.html
While Seated: Jena Six
http://www.whileseated.org/photo/003244.shtml
Nooses, attacks and jail for black students in Jena Louisiana
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/6/28/144445/384<
/a>
Justice In Jena, by Jordan Flaherty
http://www.zmag.org/content/print_article.cfm?itemID
=12783§ionID=30
The Perpetrator becomes the Prosecutor (and other related entries)
http://friendsofjustice.wordpress.com/blog/
'Stealth racism' stalks deep South
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/this_world/668
5441.stm

We often write our political officials to express our concerns or disagreement with policy. I believe in "keeping it simple" and always doing what is right. I wish that I had a dollar for each time my federal representative's group would decline on sponsoring or introducing bills that make good common sense simply on the notion that it MAY not pass. Is there a limit to the amount of bills that can be introduced? If there is, let me know. The majority of repeat voters and high dollar campaign contributors seem to have similar backgrounds and mindsets. Is it healthy for America, for an official to outright ignore the needs of lesser representated constituints just to maintain face or make a buck? If a lucky Joe like myself, with only a technical degree, can use simple cognition to derive solutions, then it shouldn't be a problem for some of the most educated people that this country has ever made to do better?
Homelessness: 300 billion on war; 50 states, a 2 million dollar structure in each major city == 100 million

Immigration: They have engineered a system that allows many to come to America in order for their high end contributors to take advantage of cheat labor. Now many areas are over populated and their solutions only stir-up controversy.

THE RIGHT SOLUTION! - Close our borders using technology.  Create avenues for them to become US citizens over a three year period. The immigrant must be employeed with a w-2 employer 3/4 of the time. During this three year period of time, ensure that they have police protections and health insurance. During this three year period, they must pay an additional benevolent tax on each pay check that should be based on their income. In order for the undocumented or illegal immigrtants to participate in this program, he or she must register his or her residence and report everyone living in the household. And a monthly immigrants account of everyone living there.

These additional taxes will do the following: Cover their health insurance costs; Provide more effective police protection; Provide tax relief, lower insurance cost, and lower student loan interest rates; Provide more teachers to handle the current surge within the classroom;  Well, you get the point. If they refuse or just don't have the ability to succeed in the three year program, then provide them a "free" ticket to their country of natural origin. Since there are children involved, we have to work with the native countries to  build one school for every 6000 children under 16 that must return to that country. I estimate that only 40 - 50 thousand children would have to return. Therefore only 8 - 20 schools would be built at a cost of only 2 million per school. The belevolent tax would easily cover this cost.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., on Monday.  It's difficult to comprehend the loss of life and injuries that resulted from this senseless tragedy, especially when it involves our nation's young people.

Many of us in Montgomery County have special connections to the university, as parents of current students or alumni.  I am  proud of the Virginia Tech facilty and staff.  Personally, I feel an affinity to the school, its students and faculty as well as the Blacksburg community.

I mourn the shooting victims and offer my condolences to the injured.

My thoughts and prayers are with their families.

Blessings,
Eli

#1 – “It's Cheapah tah' Keep Hah” #2 – "Right" is ALWAYS the right option #3 – It may be a hard pill to shallow, but it will eventually go down  

 Check this out:  

http://www.tinyurl.com/3dyrvd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4nOgm19mBw>

The video "Any Dad" is now Number Two on Current TV's "tops" list.
Let's make it Number One, and thereby make a major media breakthrough!

Link to

Any Dad
http://www.current.tv/watch/21422926?s1=topVids  

Share your story.

Community Feedback Needed:

What is your proposed solution for increasing housing that is affordable for the working class to live in Montgomery County?

Just a quick short expression...

Scenario:

Someone has a plate of food.  His child is hungry.  The child had a healthy lunch around noon, but it is now 7 PM and it is dinner time.  There is a homeless person walking the streets.  This person has not eaten in at least a day.  Through sustenance, the homeless person would most likely appreciate that meal more than the child.  The child eats 3/4 of the meal and also throws the crust of the bread away.  Would it have been reasonable for the parent to have deprived the child of a dinner simply based on the fact the homeless person would have appreciated it more?  We have to take care of home first.  It is more reasonable for us to provide for our own families and communities before extending to others.  Oprah is trying to focus on fostering other cultures and communities and not her own simply because they will appreciate it more.  We could have never had members of our communities reach her level of resource 40 years ago, but now they just make all kinds of excuses not to reinvest into our social well-being and public policy that impact our culture.  On a lighter note.  Would someone have Oprah's people call my people?  She could have easily formed a committee to investigate adverse public policy and business practices that affect us...We have to take care of home first. 

Please, let us "keep it real" and respectful with the responses.

vaughnfair@aol.com

http://www.eisenhowerfoundation.org/frames/main_fra
meMB.html

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/01/09/211953.p
hp

http://www.alnyethelawyerguy.com/al_nye_the_lawyer_
guy/2007/01/oprahs_south_af.html

http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2007/01/13/oprah_s
chool/index_np.html

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/main
?source=homenavbar

I was raised Arkansan and believe that Hillary would be a good president.  On the other hand...Future President Obama is simply exactly what Americans and America needs.  I distinguish the citizens of America from the government of America (for obvious reasons).  I like Hillary, but Obama is the only candidate whom is Brave enough to improve our domestic and foreign relations policies>>>

I hate political wars and wars of any kind unless it is the best interest of our freedom.  I KNOW that the Obama / Clinton campaign and Iraqi wars are not good for America.

Go Google the simple phrase “Bill Clinton lies.”

Do you feel that this will hurt her chances?

Do you feel that President Pre-elect Obama would address domestic issues that are important to people of color?

Do you feel that President Pre-elect Obama would allow African-Americans to take key roles in foreign relations?  Yes, I couldn't keep it in.  Condi is simply a mouthpiece.  If we would implement diversity within the upper echelon of our government, then the Iraqi War would have been resolved through democratic means. 

YOU CAN BET ON THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are on a failing path!

If Iran is pulled into this conflict, I fear that some countries may view this as an Islamic / Christian conflict.  We need to avoid that.  Send me to Iraq.  I can convince the leaders of Iraq to change their strategies in order to relieve our troop.

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/main
?source=homenavbar

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/interac
tives/blackmen/blackmen.html

Are you enlighted by this Washington Post article? If so, why?

BASED ON THE VIDEO: What is your opinion of how the absence of fathers has changed the socio-economic climate in America?

Everyone, please read this article from The Washington Post (12/24/06 Sunday Edition): The line is broken, so ensure that the address starts at http and continuous through .html without spaces.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/articl
e/2006/12/23/AR2006122300955.html

It is a crying shame that there exist racial disparities in 2006/2007. About ten years ago, I requested a FBI application. There were questions concerning high school and college extracurricular activities. I had never played sports, was not on the debate team,..., nor the chess club, well you get the point. Even at 36, I regret that I did not simply try. I have missed out on some opportunities, but missed opportunities are remnants of the past. None of us can change the past, but at whatever age you may be...creating opportunities are simply dreams in action.

Reading stories like this one of Mike Mason's success redirects my focus, keeps me grounded, and on point. If you have ever pondered over the true meaning behind "Keeping It Real", then read this article. Thank you Mr. Mason for "Keeping It Real". I wish you continued success. Your platoon is much larger than you think.

- Eli