A Gentleman’s view.

DJ KUTTIN KANDI

For nearly 15 years, in the industry, I have witnessed women being treated unfairly and unjustly. Whether it be through watching the way music videos depicted women as only sex objects or whether it was behind the scenes with record labels giving horrible deals and men back stages overstepping boundaries, I’ve witnessed it all. If you know me well enough, you would know that this is not the first time I’ve spoken about this. And this is not the first time that I’m tired of it all. However, I decided to make a “I AM TIRED OF HOW WOMEN ARE BEING TREATED IN HIP-HOP LIST” that I hope all of you can help add and pass on:

So, here is just a few of what I am tired of: (this is a growing list – women and allies, pls feel free to add to this list)

• I am tired of going to a show where a sound engineer would not value my expertise because they didn’t deem me as “expert” enough to know what I am talking about.
• I am tired of being the only woman headline on a bill.
• I am tired of not seeing myself or other women headline on a bill.
• I am tired of feeling uncomfortable and intimidated because I’m the only woman backstage.
• I am tired of seeing music videos of women being objectified.
• I am tired of seeing men groping women backstage.
• I am tired of seeing men grope women on stage.
• I am tired of men calling women a “b*tch” or a “h*e” when they feel threatened by her ability to know what she is doing and doing it good.
• I am tired of women being pigeonholed into stereotyped categories within Hip-Hop.
• I am tired of seeing “female battles” within Hip-Hop when women can compete and win against men.
• I am tired of women being seen as a “rarity” in the field that they tokenize a “female” artist and put any woman on doesn’t matter if she has no skill as long as she looks “good”.
• I am tired of women getting offered only “collabos” on songs but not getting offered deals.
• I am tired of the deals women are offered and how it’s often less than what a male artist would receive.
• I am tired of the “token female DJ night”. Come on now, give a woman a regular night spinning with other men too!
• I am tired of being bumped to either first or last or at a really horrible time slot last minute because someone with more “credibility” (more than likely a male) needed to go on because he has a last minute conflict on his schedule.
• I am tired of how male artists are typically offered more money then women artists and then how others use an excuse like “because he is more known”, but ideally a woman would be “more known” had female artists were given the same equal treatments of publicity, marketing and deals. DUH!
• I’m tired of women getting pushed off a bill or a track when someone with more “credibility” (more than likely a male) comes along.
• I am tired of not feeling safe enough to talk about my own gender identity, my sexual orientation and being free to be who I truly am.
• I am tired of seeing how Asian women, Black Women, Latina Women, Queer Women, and women of color as a whole are treated and perceived in Hip-Hop because of their race, class and gender.
• I am tired that people think it’s just mainstream Hip-Hop, when “underground” Hip-Hop disrespect women and LGBTQ folks too.
• I am tired that this music industry is also a size/ist and lookism industry that as a woman I have to have a certain sex appeal and size to get offers, deals and etc..
• I am tired when none of our supposed male allies within Hip-Hop don’t check other men on their privileges.
• I am tired of men not recognizing that they are the only ones on the line-up and not sayin or doing anything about it.
• I am tired of not feeling safe enough to check anyone.
• I’m tired of the women who are buying into the patriarchal thinking and get competitive with other women and enjoy being the “only female”.
• I am tired of being one of those women who once bought into the patriarchal thinking and being competitive with other women for that 1 gig or spot in the bill.
• I am tired of people not knowing that there are dope women Hip-Hop artists and Hip-Hop activists all over the world.
• I am tired of being scared right now, as we speak, writing this open letter, knowing that at any show I could be and more than likely will be threatened and/or attacked if I call out anyone on this article.

Eternia just did a nice remake of ‘Live at the Barbeque’ featuring all women including Rah Digga, Jean Grae, Tiye Phoenix and Lady of Rage

I am tired of being the token female artist in a Hip-Hop male lineup. This music industry has led me to behave in such a way where I would buy into the “only female-in-the-click” syndrome. While I respect the crews I have been part of in my past, it is today, and now more than ever that I recognize how important it is that we make room for more women to be included. This music industry makes no room for more women to enter the doors, that it creates a dynamic for women to compete against each other, for that 1 gig, that 1 offer, that 1 deal, that 1 spotlight. Because it only comes so often, because the chance is only once in a lifetime, us women, jump for it… because it is our only opportunity. We’re all jumping for the scraps they are offering us… and I am tired of falling for it.

I am so tired of hearing other women complaining and still it is the same. This is the not the first letter or article that has been written. Other women have been writing this for years. This is nothing new. I’ve just been lucky that within these past 15 years, I’ve been able to create my own alternatives to help keep my own sanity amongst a music industry that can make anyone lose their mind. I’ve been able to join female crews and build my own network of friends who would support me and other women. I’ve been able to find folks who have helped me out over the years during the most challenging times by providing me outlets and spaces to speak my peace and express my art. These spaces were safe that gave me a place to be real with myself, to know that I can be whoever I am. I am thankful for these spaces within Hip-Hop. I am thankful for these Hip-Hop folks that help make these spaces happen. These Hip-Hop folks are women, male allies and other allies in our communities.

However, there comes a time, where we need to stand up to the spaces and the people that don’t make help create these spaces either. There comes a time to stand up to the people that create elitist spaces, not making room for others to speak, share and be part of it. Especially, when these spaces claim to be Hip-Hop and make no room for women to be part of it. There comes a time where we as women have a right to claim these spaces, because women have been part of Hip-Hop since day one.

It would be great to see the VH1 Hip Hop Honors pay tribute to the pioneering women of this culture, like the all female crew Mercedes Ladies who have long been overlooked…

But like I am in other times that I speak up against something I am not right with, I am in fear of the repercussions. I am in fear of being attacked. I am fear of the literal physical attack that can happen when speaking out. I am also in fear that people will think that I am trying to be about me. Because it’s not about me. This isn’t about me trying to get a gig. Sorry, that’s not on my agenda. I’m not someone bitter that I didn’t get an opportunity to get my shine on. This is about my sisters, this is about us having a voice, about us having talent too. This is about the shine for all of us. This is for all my sisters out there who are practicing everyday. This is for the movement that Barbara, Eve, Lady Pink, Mercedes Ladies, Lady B, Sweet Tee, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Sista Souljah, Wanda Dee, Jazzy Joyce, Roxanne Shante, Pebblee Poo, started long before me, so that we can be put on too. This for all of them who are still doing it today. And this is about women today, who are doing their thing. I have witnessed Queen Godis, Mystic, Medusa, Anomolies, Abeer, Maria Isa, Eternia, Jean Grae, Bahamadia, Miki Vale, Apani B Fly, Bless Roxwell, Sara Kana, DJ Killa Jewel, Tyra from Saigon, DJ Shortee, DJ Chela, Pam the Funktress to the La Femme Deadly Venoms… and this list goes on and on and on and on and on. Too many to name. And I’m sad that I can’t list them all. Because we are out there and we exist. And it is for this reason that I must speak. I have learned from Audre Lorde – “your silence will not save you.”

So, come on, male promoters – you know who you are. I highly suggest to all the men within Hip-Hop to read male privilege check-list and etc. I suggest if you don’t know, you google it and educate yourself. I also suggest our male allies in Hip-Hop to stand up with us. It is not enough that you acknowledge that this goes on within Hip-Hop. If you know it does, then let a promoter know they should even out the line-up. Refer other women artists. Invite female artists on your showset to get some shine. BUT don’t tokenize us either! Also, check your male friends backstage who mistreat women. Invite us to your practice sessions, but don’t make us feel uncomfortable by making us look like rare creatures or putting us up on some pedastal or treating us like trophies or prized possessions. Don’t intimidate us by your male chauvinisms, machoisms and egotisms. But don’t think we’re gentle and demure either. Don’t victimize us or romanticize some notion that you’re going to save us. Because at the end of the day, we been always fighting our own battles. With or Without you, we have done it, made it, claimed it and taken it. We’re strong, we got a mind of our own and we got skillz. We don’t fit into any label or category because we are all shapes and sizes. We are like Hip-Hop, fluid in what what say, think, do, feel, wear, and etc… We are anything and everything we imagine ourselves to be, so don’t package us into what you envision us to be. We have our own visions and dreams.

As far as for us, women, I don’t think I really need to tell you much. You already know what we are coming into because you feel it and you are experiencing it. However, I will just say for the sake of saying – We, women, we need to just continue to come together. I say continue, because we are a movement been happening. We have been coming together long before my crew Anomolies and long before Mercedes Ladies. We have been standing together, rising up together, teaching each other, learning from one another and we need to continue to do so because we are standing at a time where we are at the crossroads. The world is going chaotic and the earth is speaking to us to stay united. And if we women hold up half the sky, we’re going to have to continue keeping it balanced by staying at peace amongst each other, loving one another and being in unity with one another. We need to acknowledge our differences, value them, and talk about our intersections. We need to talk about the things that are complexed and come out with our own plan of actions. We need to support those who are speaking out for us, voicing themselves at the risk of losing everything. We need to help each other in our crafts to progress, we need to create spaces for more women, transgender and non-conforming genders to be included, we need to check each other in our perpetuation of patriarchal-thinkings and check the men that do it to us.

So, as I close this open letter…. I close it with saying in the words of my friend’s Dead Prez’s words “It’s Bigger than Hip-Hop…”, because we all know that this is all bigger than Hip-Hop. And I’m not just talking about the genre of music, for we all know that sexism exists everywhere. However, I am saying that this is bigger than Hip-Hop, because this is not just about women being in the picture. It’s about respect. And like Hip-Hop, being about gaining respect, we too, be it a woman Hip-Hop head or not, that’s all we want too. Respect.

with love, peace and respect
DJ Kuttin Kandi

p.s. also a big shout out to DJ MarkLuv for your allyship in writing this piece as we

Dear Christian conservatives,

I understand that you fear big, secular government and that you prefer, in general, limited government and less regulated economics. I do not wish to discuss how the Bible makes no mention of a laissez-faire republic (it tends to favor kings and prophets) or how Jesus said “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” What I wish to discuss is the reasons our government has grown so much in the last century and what Christians could have done and can do to stop it.

Jesus commands his followers to be charitable. To those who follow this commandment he promises eternal salvation, saying, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me…Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:34-36,40).

When the Great Depression struck Christian groups gave aid, but they did not give enough to meet the needs of America’s poor. To meet this need the government had to step in and provide work and support for those who could find none.
Christian groups have done much to aid the elderly, who can no longer work or care for themselves, but again they have not done enough. To meet the needs of the elderly poor, the government instituted Medicare and Social Security.
As America’s poor continued to be unable to find work that would pay them enough to avoid eviction and to feed their families, government again stepped in where Christians had failed to provide and instituted various welfare and food stamp programs.

When Christians failed to heal the sick, as Christ commanded, the government stepped in to try and provide health care reform that would aid those who could not afford basic medical necessities.
Now, I make no arguments that these government programs are necessarily the best solution to the problems they address. I am not even arguing that they are always successful. Nor am I trying to denigrate the work of the many Christians who have worked hard and given of themselves to help those in need. Many have done good work and many will continue to.
What I am arguing is that the government steps in when the needs of the people are not met. The easiest way to prevent government from stepping into peoples lives is not to protest and carry signs. It is not to succumb, as many of us sometimes do, to unChristian hate and rage against the enemy. It is to heed the call of Christ and provide for the needy. More than two-thirds of Americans identify as Christians, yet at least 39 million Americans live in poverty right now. Those are 39 million hungry, desperate voices crying out for succor.

Instead of protesting the charitable actions of the American government, step up your own charity. Provide for the hungry, the thirsty, the strange, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. Employ those on welfare with good wages, so they won’t have to rely on the government. Open hospitals to provide free medical care for the elderly and the poor, so they will not need to rely on Medicare and the new health care reforms. Give money and food to the elderly so they will not need Social Security. Feed those who cannot afford to buy food so they will not need food stamps. If you want to stop big government, then you must step in and provide the services so many Americans rely on to survive. If you want to stop big government, you will have to act like a Christian, because if we perform our Christian duty, perhaps the government won’t have to.

Originally posted on http://guthriesmachine.wordpress.com/

Transcript of Mayor Bloomberg’s speech about the ground zero mosque.

“Good evening, and Ramadan Kareem. I want to welcome everyone to our annual Ramadan Iftar at Gracie Mansion.

“We call this ‘The People’s House,’ because it belongs to all 8.4 million New Yorkers who call this city home. People of every race and religion, every background and belief. We celebrate that diversity here in this house with gatherings like this.

“And for me, whether it’s marking St. Patrick’s Day or Harlem Week or any other occasion, these gatherings are always a powerful reminder of what makes our city so strong and our country so great.

“America is a nation of immigrants, and no place opens its doors more widely to the world than New York City. America is the land of opportunity, and no place offers its residents more opportunity to pursue their dreams than New York City. America is beacon of freedom, and no place defends those freedoms more fervently, or has been attacked for those freedoms more ferociously, than New York City.

“In recent weeks, a debate has arisen that I believe cuts to the core of who we are as a city and a country. The proposal to build a mosque and community center in Lower Manhattan has created a national conversation on religion in America, and since Ramadan offers a time for reflection, I’d like to take a few minutes to reflect on the subject.

“There are people of good will on both sides of the debate, and I would hope that everyone can carry on the dialogue in a civil and respectful way. In fact, I think most people now agree on two fundamental issues: First, that Muslims have a constitutional right to build a mosque in Lower Manhattan and second, that the site of the World Trade Center is hallowed ground. The only question we face is: how do we honor that hallowed ground?

“The wounds of 9/11 are still very much with us. And I know that is true for Talat Hamdani, who is here with us tonight, and who lost her son, Salman Hamdani, on 9/11. There will always be a hole in our hearts for the men and women who perished that day.

“After the attacks, some argued — including some of those who lost loved ones — that the entire site should be reserved for a memorial. But we decided — together, as a city — that the best way to honor all those we lost, and to repudiate our enemies, was to build a moving memorial and to rebuild the site.

“We wanted the site to be an inspiring reminder to the world that this city will never forget our dead and never stop living. We vowed to bring Lower Manhattan back — stronger than ever — as a symbol of our defiance and we have. Today, it is more of a community neighborhood than ever before, with more people than ever living, working, playing and praying there.

“But if we say that a mosque and community center should not be built near the perimeter of the World Trade Center site, we would compromise our commitment to fighting terror with freedom.

“We would undercut the values and principles that so many heroes died protecting. We would feed the false impressions that some Americans have about Muslims. We would send a signal around the world that Muslim Americans may be equal in the eyes of the law, but separate in the eyes of their countrymen. And we would hand a valuable propaganda tool to terrorist recruiters, who spread the fallacy that America is at war with Islam.

“Islam did not attack the World Trade Center — Al-Qaeda did. To implicate all of Islam for the actions of a few who twisted a great religion is unfair and un-American. Today we are not at war with Islam — we are at war with Al-Qaeda and other extremists who hate freedom.

“At this very moment, there are young Americans — some of them Muslim — standing freedoms’ watch in Iraq and Afghanistan, and around the world. A couple here tonight, Sakibeh and Asaad Mustafa, has children who have served our country overseas and after 9/11, one of them aided in the recovery efforts at Ground Zero. I’d like to ask them to stand, so we can show our appreciation. Thank you.

“The members of our military are men and women at arms — battling for hearts and minds. And their greatest weapon in that fight is the strength of our American values, which have always inspired people around the world. But if we do not practice here at home what we preach abroad — if we do not lead by example — we undermine our soldiers. We undermine our foreign policy objectives. And we undermine our national security.

“In a different era, with different international challenges facing the country, President Kennedy’s Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, explained to Congress why it is so important for us to live up to our ideals here at home. He said, ‘The United States is widely regarded as the home of democracy and the leader of the struggle for freedom, for human rights, for human dignity. We are expected to be the model.’

“We are expected to be the model. Nearly a half-century later, his words remain true. In battling our enemies, we cannot rely entirely on the courage of our soldiers or the competence of our diplomats. All of us must do our part.

“Just as we fought communism by showing the world the power of free markets and free elections, so must we fight terrorism by showing the world the power of religious freedom and cultural tolerance. Freedom and tolerance will always defeat tyranny and terrorism – that is the great lesson of the 20th century, and we must not abandon it here in the 21st.

“I understand the impulse to find another location for the mosque and community center. I understand the pain of those who are motivated by loss too terrible to contemplate. And there are people of every faith – including, perhaps, some in this room – who are hoping that a compromise will end the debate.

“But it won’t. The question will then become, how big should the ‘no-mosque zone’ around the World Trade Center be? There is already a mosque four blocks away. Should it too, be moved?

“This is a test of our commitment to American values. We must have the courage of our convictions. We must do what is right, not what is easy. And we must put our faith in the freedoms that have sustained our great country for more than 200 years.

“I know that many in this room are disturbed and dispirited by the debate. But it is worth keeping some perspective on the matter. The first colonial settlers came to these shores seeking religious liberty and the founding fathers wrote a constitution that guaranteed it. They made sure that in this country the government would not be permitted to choose between religions or favor one over another.

“Nonetheless, it was not so long ago that Jews and Catholics had to overcome stereotypes and build bridges to those who viewed them with suspicion and less than fully American. In 1960, many Americans feared that John F. Kennedy would impose papal law on America. But through his example, he taught us that piety to a minority religion is no obstacle to patriotism. It is a lesson that needs updating today, and it is our responsibility to accept the challenge.

“Before closing, let me just add one final thought: Imam Rauf, who is now overseas promoting America and American values, has been put under a media microscope. Each of us may strongly agree or strongly disagree with particular statements he has made. And that’s how it should be – this is New York.

“And while a few of his statements have received a lot of attention, I would like to read you something that he said that you may not have heard. At an interfaith memorial service for the martyred journalist Daniel Pearl, Imam Rauf said, ‘If to be a Jew means to say with all one’s heart, mind, and soul: Shma` Yisrael, Adonai Elohenu Adonai Ehad; Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One, not only today I am a Jew, I have always been one. If to be a Christian is to love the Lord our God with all of my heart, mind and soul, and to love for my fellow human being what I love for myself, then not only am I a Christian, but I have always been one.’

“In that spirit, let me declare that we in New York are Jews and Christians and Muslims, and we always have been. And above all of that, we are Americans, each with an equal right to worship and pray where we choose. There is nowhere in the five boroughs that is off limits to any religion.

“By affirming that basic idea, we will honor America’s values and we will keep New York the most open, diverse, tolerant, and free city in the world. Thank you.”

I want to own a Canadian!

On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination – according to Leviticus 18:22 – and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.

The following response is an open letter to Dr Laura, written by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet.
——————————————————————
Dear Dr Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend their homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination … End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God’s Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.15:19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there ‘degrees’ of abomination? Should I smite him?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot.. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I’m confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan.
(author’s name removed to protect his privacy)
P.S. It would be a damn shame if we can’t own a Canadian.

The movement is not seeking a junior partnership with the Republican Party. It is aiming for a hostile takeover.

By Keith Olbermann Anchor, ‘Countdown’

Those “Muslim conquerors” are a figment of Mr. Gingrich’s lurid imagination.  In Spain, in Cordoba, though the Muslims established multi-cultural, non-denominational institutions of learning, they were under constant attack from Christians, and from a series of internal all-Muslim Civil Wars. The Muslims lost Cordoba, and the Christian church they transformed into the “world’s third-largest mosque complex?” It was turned back into a Christian Cathedral. In the 13th Century. And it has been that, ever since.

And is there not a logical extension to Mr. Gingrich’s conclusions about Cordoba and “triumphalism?” Virtually every church, every synagogue, indeed every mosque built on this continent stands where a Native American lived, or died, or was buried, or saw his world — his religions included — wiped out. By us.

What are we then, Mr. Gingrich? And by the way, a point Mr. Gingrich has not even whispered as he has shouted fire in a crowded theater—when the historical implications of Cordoba were made clear to the backers of this project, the property developer, Sharif Gamal, changed the name. They already compromised.

“We are calling it Park 51 because of the backlash to the name Cordoba House,” he told the Financial Times. “It will be a place open to all New Yorkers and that is a very New York name.” A very New York name. Like “Ground Zero.” Except this place — Park 51 — is not even at Ground Zero, not even ‘right across the street.’ Even the description of it being “two blocks away” is generous.

It is two blocks away from the northeast corner of the World Trade Center site. From the planned location of the Setp. 11 memorial it is more like four or even five blocks. You know what is right across the street? I went there yesterday, to refresh my sense of the World Trade Center, in which I worked nearly 30 years ago.

At Church and Veezy, so close that the barbed wire of Ground Zero obscures its spire? St Paul’s Chapel. Been there since 1766, where Washington went the day he was inaugurated, where the first responders came for relief nine years ago. You know what’s also closer to Ground Zero than this Muslim Community Center? Church of St. Peter — at Church and Barclay Streets.  As the sign says, New York’s Oldest Catholic Parish.

People hear “Ground Zero Mosque” and they think Mecca in the backyard and a loud call to prayer and they take umbrage.

“We got no more than a few inches of skin and a couple of pieces of bone. Ground Zero is the burial place of my son,” said Joyce Boland at the public hearing about the Center. “I don’t want to go there and see an overwhelming mosque looking down at me.”

I honor her pain, and her fear, but Mrs. Boland has nothing to worry about. Unless she walks directly to it, she’ll never see it. This is what you see from where the Center will be. Another non-descript building across the street. This building and others like it will block views of the Trade Center, and views from the Trade Center.

It certainly will stand out on the north side of Park Place, but amid the canyons of lower Manhattan, it’ll just be a distinctive building that if you happen to wander down a side street near the Trade Center, you might see. You know what you’ll see there now? This. The Burlington Coat Factory, abandoned since 2001 when the landing gear from one of the planes fell 90 stories and went through the roof. For nine years nobody’s been willing to buy that building, just to knock it down and build a new one.

It sold for four million 850 thousand dollars. In New York City real estate, that is spare change.
And you know why it’s spare change? Because — walk around Ground Zero any day of the week and it’s packed, with tourists and our version of pilgrims. But walk two and three blocks away and… not so packed. Not packed at all.

Empty stores. Boarded-up windows. Nine years later, and two and three blocks from the action and it’s a ghost town. What was that about government not getting in the way of private business? What was that about letting the private sector spur new jobs in blighted areas? Oh, and what was that about Iraq?

Why did we go into Iraq, again? I don’t mean the real reasons or the naked vengeful blindness that enabled the forging of a non-existant connection between Iraq and 9/11. I mean, the official explanation. To free the world — and especially Iraq’s citizens — of the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. That’s its supporters’ defense of the invasion, to this day. Well, who lives in Iraq? Muslims.

I hate to reveal this to anybody on the Right who didn’t know this, but when they say Iraq is 65% Shia and 32% Suni you do know that Shia and Suni are both forms of the Muslim religion, right?

We sacrificed 4,415 of our military personnel in Iraq to save Muslims, and there are thousands still there tonight to protect Muslims, but we don’t want Muslims to open a combination culinary school and prayer space in Manhattan?

From the beginning of this nation we have fought prejudice and religious intolerance and our greatest enemy: stupidity, exploited by rapacious politicians. It’s just 50 years now since Americans publicly and urgently warned their country-men not to support a Presidential candidate because he was a Roman Catholic. He would boww to the will not of the American people, but the Pope. He would be a “Papist.” He would be the agent of a foreign state.

His name was John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Despite the nobility of our founding and the indefatigable efforts of all our generations, there have always been those who would happily sacrifice our freedoms, our principles, to ward off the latest unprecedented threat, the latest unbeatable outsiders. Once again, at 45 Park Place, we are being told to sell our birth-right, to feed the maw of xenophobia and vengeance and mob rule.

The terrorists who destroyed the buildings from which you could only see 45 Park Place as a dot on the ground, wanted to force us to change our country to become more like the ones they knew. What better way could we honor the dead of the World Trade Center, than to do the terrorists’ heavy lifting for them? And do you think 45 Park Place is where it ends?

The moment this monstrous betrayal of our America gained the slightest traction, the next goal was unveiled. ‘No more building permits for any mosques in this country,’ brayed a man from the euphemistically-named “American Families Association.” Of course, he said, maybe the permits could be granted if the congregation quote “was willing to publicly renounce the Koran.”

“They came first for the building permits.” But back to Downtown. Does the name “Masjid-Manhattan” mean anything to you? Let me take you, in conclusion, to 20 Warren Street. Not much to look at. Not from across the street Not from up close. That open door is the only thing that distinguishes it from the rest of the grill-fronts of the neighborhood.

That, and the yellow sign there. “Entrance To Islamic Center.” It’s in the basement. It is a Muslim house of worship. Masjid-Manhattan. It lost its lease in a larger building down the street, two years ago. The new facility is so small that only about 20 percent of worshipers can use it, at a time.  But “Masjid-Manhattan” opened in early 1970. Four blocks away, the World Trade Center opened, in December 1970.

The actual place that is the real-life equivalent of the paranoid dream contained in the phrase “Ground Zero Mosque,” has been up and running, since before there was a World Trade Center, and for nine years since there has been a World Trade Center.

Running, without controversy, without incident, without terrorism, without protest. Because this is America, dammit.

And in America, when somebody comes for your neighbor, or his bible, or his torah, or his Atheists’ Manifesto, or his Koran, you and I do what our fathers did, and our grandmothers did, and our founders did you and speak up.

If I remember correctly, the first rule as a doctor is to do no harm.

Dr. Laura Schlessinger; renowned conservative radio talk show host educator author educated America this week by informing them that the election of President Barack Obama meant that all White Americans had the right to now use the ‘N’-word as part of their daily vocabulary. She then proceeded to do so 11 times in a row over the national airwaves here known as Radio. Again, I am going to point to the perception by most of the lay public that a person with the title DR. before their name has some obligation to that ‘do no harm’ rule. No harm. I would suspect if you have lived anywhere on Earth for at least 10 years no matter what country it is, you have some notion of the ‘N’-word and its derogatory connotation toward Blacks in America, if not other countries as well. That is the history of the word and how mankind has allowed it to have so much power over a people in just one country on this big old planet. I am suggesting that this is one of the few words which usage is automatically understood universally no matter what country of origin you may have. This person of advisement, knowledge, position, authority, intellect and influence thought having a Black Man elected to the office of the Presidency was permission to bring this particular word into her everyday conversations with her listening audience. A Black President now meant that this derogatory term was now all that and then some, that being Whites now had access to our stupidity too!

Her rationale was the old tried and true; “Well you hear it done by Blacks on the streets all the time, why is it that they can do it and we Whites can’t, isn’t that exclusion?” Is that not segregating a group from using the same language understood by this society to be used by the Black population in America today? And now that we have a Black man as President, hell we Whites don’t even have to ask any more because now he really is ours as well as the Blacks because all Presidents are ours, it goes with being an American, damn it, that is just the way it is. As an adviser to people and families, certainly unaware of the pain attached to the ‘N’-word or so far removed from those tumultuous times in this country’s history, with so little empathy as to assume such a blatantly discourteous state of mind and assume such an asinine position. All of a sudden, even with the fact that we still can’t drive Black, or be Black over on the east side of Manhattan or other parts of town depending on where we Blacks live, or shop Black in the wrong stores or neighborhoods, Whites can now use ignorant street terminology in their everyday American vernacular. With all of her intellect and wisdom, this was the conclusion she came to and felt was worthy of investing time into and sharing with any audience.  This person gets paid good money to criticize some, belittle others, and just straight abuse the rest of those calling into her programs over the years, Dr. Laura built her reputation on conservative principles chastising those looking to take the easy way out in difficult times in life while attempting to get away with paying a price for poor decision making leading up to the whatever hardship that now ensued. I mostly agreed with her rationale but not her bedside manner. She was always so unnecessarily mean-spirited in her approach.

I stopped listening to her long ago as I limit my exposure to people who are mean spirited in their approach to life and their interaction with others. It was something I learned to protect myself very early in life, as little exposure as possible to people who behave in that manner. I think she lasted about 3 months before I sought another person to listen during that timeslot. I am only giving her due because of the brouhaha about her usage of the dreaded ‘N’-word. My only question to her would be: I have heard you over the years, you never appeared to be so Black before this and now all of a sudden you feel Black enough to be my homeskillet with the verbiage? Me and my peeps are not aware of you rolling this way prior to this or really even since this sudden ‘Black’ moment you seem to be having. Ain’t peeped you up on 125^th Street, or I don’t know how many MLK Jr. Way’s across America, or up in the Heights in any hood advising or advocating or even spending money with all these years unless some sort of commerce or profit was attached. If I am wrong, please feel free to enlighten.  So giving a soul, she, Dr. Laura own mother was not found for two months after having passed on, judging and advising others for stage and profit is what she be. Dr. Laura in her infinite wisdom, she decided for some reason if being Black was going to be a thing to be for her when she did it chooses defiantly to be the worst possible one she could and then said she didn’t understand what the problem was. She did feel obligated later to pull herself from the airwaves an hour later; I guess that was her version of putting herself in timeout. That she will still be on her show because there will be no price to pay by management unless they see long term profit loss, is not the issue. The sad thing is that someone will dial into her show since having the “Ni**er! Ni**er! Ni**er! Episode”.  No way she could have done any harm during that show, none at all.

We would be able to give the Tea Party just what it wants in order to prove it wrong.

But we live in a real world and that type of needed education is not possible. The Tea Party Movement and the conservatives don’t want judges who interpret the constitution rather follow strictly to the letter the document as it is written. There the debate goes on because if it was dealt with strictly, there would’ve never been amendments to it. They now want to modify the fourteenth amendment to the constitution, as immigration becomes the issue of the new election season. Find some group or constituency to blame for the current state of unhappy affairs and then attack them for that state and go after any laws lending them some underserved privileges and shut them down. The undeserved privilege this time is right of citizenry, it was automatic that if you are born here you are a citizen that was it, no debates ever. The neoconservatives with the help of the media has convinced White America that they are under the ever-growing threat of Mexican Mothers seeking to have American born babies to secure their futures and this is not in Americas’ best interest, and a potential threat to national security.  Most certainly a threat to the American way of life if the Latinos outnumber the Whites at some point if the flow of human traffic is not stopped. Their answer to the remove the gift of automatic citizenship just because you were born here. We reserve the right to change the rules and decide who we want to join our prestigious club. We no longer allow just anyone to walk up in here and stay just because they feel like it.

Some will say, they didn’t mean it like that. But, I will argue that they did and they did more than just say that they are declaring a state of national prejudice to which they feel there is justification for in the country we previously called America, for it will not be again.  The beauty of America from someone who was born here legitimately as a third generation Black, and travelled, worked and lived abroad, is hearing people from other countries speak about ours. The belief generally is that this is the most open country in the world for the care and respectful treatment of all of its citizens of all the rules of natural American birth. Remember how this thread gets going; In a just world. Just for a minute without digging deep to analyze how say we removed all immigrants deemed illegal by modifying the 14^th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. According to Candidate Rand Paul, business should not be forced to serve Blacks if they don’t really want, but are required to do so by law. Without any action taken on any prior declarations of the state of Blacks here in America,  The fact that we migrated here of free will or mostly force, most likely not be considered an arguable defense against deportation, (though I would wonder where would you deport us to?),  as we would not have the basic rights of citizenry and arguably deported back by some logic to at least to the coast of some African port along the Atlantic coastline.

Let us just consider what exactly that would entail for America to lose probably 12 million or so citizens back to Mexico, maybe as many as twenty million of them. Then round up, detain and then finally deport the illegal Black citizenry no longer having the right to declare such with any or all of the desired modifications that will speed up the removal of the most certainly Black and therefore undeserving of all that ails the country: President Barack Obama.  I don’t know if that would mean it auto defaults to Biden, or by riding that Black wagon, no longer eligible to hold the office in their eyes. So our population will be reduced about 45 million with both groups removed and should free up some resources and improve the quality of life for some or will it? Lets look at the removal of all Blacks from this country to get rid of the current President and make sure that one Black could never run again for the office. This is the level you must take it and make sure everybody on the planet knows that you mean business when it comes to skin color and the respect it will be allowed in the previously known as land of the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for all, because my friends that would not exist here in America! How successful do you think all of those White owned businesses forced to do business with those  DAMN Blacks because of the Federal mandate will survive  as they became quite profitable under those conditions will now do well with all those Blacks finally gone. I am not just talking about the successful Black superstar basketball, baseball, football, or hockey player or movie star. I am talking about all those jobs held by the Black information technology specialists, Black nurses and doctors, Black bus  drivers, Black taxicab drivers, Black truck drivers, Black construction workers, Black stage hands, Black teachers, and Black coaches and Black mentors and …… Some of those Black folks I just mentioned were taking care of in one way or another  your White kids and now there isn’t enough talent around to fill all those positions held by getting rid of a little cultural problem the hard right has long desired to have dealt with.

Just complete removal of all people of color in America, you will basically be requesting that with your very strict adherence to the constitution and modify it to meet your standards of an America where its citizens are a chosen few, sort of like the ‘Marines’. The few, the proud, the Americans! I have an article on the http://agentlemansview.com/2010/07/02/on-the-subject-of-immigration-in-america/, this lists about 60 Canadians known for their celebrity and mostly the fortune they have made working here in America. The focus of this assault on the constitution are people supposedly working jobs we don’t desire to work, while White males can swoop down from the north and snatch up all the choices positions in the just the media field alone. If you go to the link and just calculate how much money the people on that list alone have made and think about all the American White Males who could’ve made all of that money. We don‘t hear one complaint, no one protest no matter how much more the Canadians are taking back to their land in comparison to how much the Mexicans are keeping here in America. What kind of America do you think will be left if we just granted two of the wishes of the Tea Party movement to the letter of the law. If we just broke up all the interracial families they despise as an abomination against mans natural law to keep the races separate and pure. Made it illegal for them to ever have contact with any of those deported back to whatever Atlantic coastline in Africa those deporting us will have convinced to approve of dumping all of those citizens who once were American.  Truly think about how the ‘New America’ would be as the Tea Party desire just to remove people of color by the actions potentially taken by modifying the 14^th Amendment to remove birth rights. No Black will never try that one again running for President, their very nerve!  Next:  Truly Legislatively Free Markets! What is good for business is  good for America!