Latinos Upset Solis Dumped by Clinton

A leading Hispanic Democratic leader is fuming mad that Hillary Clinton has replaced her previous campaign manager, Patti Solis, with longtime advisor Maggie Williams, who happens to be African American.

In an email blast to Democratic party members, Steven Ybarra head of the voting rights committee of the Democratic National Committee Hispanic Caucus and a "super" delegate from California had the following warning for the Clinton campaign:

"Apparently, loyalty is not a two-way street," he wrote. "Latino superdelegates like myself . . . will have cause to pause."

Ybarra told reporters that Clinton's termination of Solis, whose parents were Mexican immigrants, was "dumb as a stump."

This is in the wake of a series of Clinton losses in primaries and caucuses and her campaign pinning its strategy on winning delegate rich Texas in March, with the help of Latino voters. To this end, the campaign has sent longtime Villaraigosa flack and former Sister City blogger Michael Trujillo to handle the ground war in Tejas.

Latino Leaders Endorse Obama

In a stunning blow to Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton - and her surrogate in Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - the Mexican American Political Association has endorsed Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for President.

On the heels of the endorsement of the Illinois Senator by labor leader Maria Elena Durazo Clinton's prospects of gaining significant support amongst California's Latinos appears to be fading.

Motivating the decision has been the campaign tactics of the Clintons in South Carolina and elsewhere that some have criticized as being race baiting.

MAPA's National President Nativo Lopez issued the following statement:

“Something nasty in the national campaigns reared its head over the past two weeks, which motivated us to consider another endorsement for a presidential candidate of the Democratic Party primary elections. We have observed with utter disgust the use of racially divisive and polarizing tactics employed by the Clintons, both Hillary and Bill, against Senator Barack Obama, not the first presidential candidate of African American origin. This is something that we would have expected from Republican candidates, but instead it surfaced from the bowels of the center-right institutional currents of the Democratic Party. The tactics are absolutely deplorable and clearly demonstrate what the Clintons think of all people of color."

Lopez' full statement can be viewed here.

Losing support of both the African American and Latino communities in Los Angeles could have a chilling effect on Clinton's prospects in California. It would have a greater impact and reflect poorly on politicians in the state such as Mayor Villaraigosa, Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom who've been working hard on behalf of the Clintons.

PTA Moms Against Measure S

Today, parents of Beckford Ave. Elementary school will be receiving their monthly newsletter. Inside, they'll find the following editorial by a PTA parent urging ALL PTA members to vote No on Measure S.

Rock the Vote Beckford!
By Debbie Lopez

It's another campaign year and another chance for Beckford parents to get involved in the future of not only our country, but locally as well. On February 5th, the Beckford Auditorium will once again be a polling place for the upcoming Presidential Primary election.

Are you registered to vote yet?

The last day to register for the Feb. 5th election is January 22nd. Registering is easy! Just visit: http://www.sos.ca.gov/

"NO on Measure S"
PTAs may be asked to help secure the passage of a school bond or local parcel tax election or to participate in campaigns to pass or defeat other election ballot measures.

One of the Purposes of the PTA is "to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth." It is by educating its members — and through them, the general public — on the impact of issues affecting children and youth, that PTAs can best influence the course of action of those who make policy decisions, thereby achieving the Purposes of the PTA. Measure S (the "Cell Phone Tax 'Reduction'"), as written, applies an unfair tax to voters, as we will be charged 9%, while telemarketers (grrr… who call you as you sit down to dinner) will only be charged 5%.

This places an unfair burden on families who rely on cell phones to keep in touch with (and keep tabs on!) their children. The Northridge West Neighborhood Council voted to take a position AGAINST Measure S. The Neighborhood Council agreed with the COURT OF APPEAL OF CALIFORNIA, SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT, DIVISION TWO, who ruled that the current cell phone tax the city is collecting is a violation of Prop. 218, passed by California voters in 1996. By voting NO, the current tax goes away. A YES vote enables City Hall to tax you for using the internet, wireless networks, text messaging, instant messaging, VoIP and similar services.

As a high-performing school, Beckford is not eligible to receive funding (such as Title 1 funds) that we so desperately need. Our Valley neighborhoods contribute a substantial amount in tax revenue each year to the City's General Fund. That is where the money from Prop S. will be going. There is nothing in the wording of Measure S. that specifically binds these funds to things like additional police and fire units. Voters can't ever really be sure exactly where and HOW those General Fund dollars are going to be spent. Unfortunately, we don't see too much of it coming back into the Valley in the way of help for our schools.

If it were not for the generosity, the hard work, the endless hours of volunteering, the commitment, the love and support of our Beckford families, we would not have the funding for many of the wonderful educational programs here at Beckford. Perhaps it's time to take a stand, Valley Families.

How about we just vote NO on Measure S, and instead make a donation to the Bell Fund, or take your sweetie on a date to our "Ace of Hearts" fundraising gala? Money wisely spent, and guaranteed to be used for the betterment of our school and our children's education. PLEASE COME TO OUR PTA ASSOCIATION MEETING ON JAN. 22 AND LEARN MORE!!

Beckford PTA will be encouraging ALL Valley PTAs to join us in voting NO on S. Additionally, in lieu of dumping tea into the L.A. River, we are also asking that at the same time members are voting NO, to send a donation to their PTAs instead of Measure S taxes to the City's General Fund. This way, members can be assured that their hard-earned dollars are going directly to schools instead of lining the coffers of the "Bermuda Triangle" that is the General Fund.

We wil be speaking at the montly PTA President's Meeting later this month, and asking our PTA Council to please circulate the above editorial to each of the schools in the area, and to send it home in their newsletters.

NO ON S AND SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS! PLEASE VOTE NO AND SEND A DONATION TO YOUR LOCAL PTA. OUR SCHOOLS NEED THE MONEY MORE THAN THE CITY, AND WE'LL SPEND IT MORE WISELY, TOO!

---

Debbie Lopez is a community activist, PTA leader and mom in the North Valley.

Los Angeles Politics

The place to to read about Los Angeles Politics is Mayor Sam's Sister City. Mayor Sam blogs about Los Angeles Politics everyday along with Zuma Dogg, Joe Mailander and Red Spot.

Want to read about Mayor Villaraigosa? Check out Mayor Sam.

Is Mayor Villaraigosa having an affair? You can read about it at Mayor Sam.

Sometimes we talk about Presidential Politics including Ron Paul. Check us out at Mayor Sam's Sister City, the blog that covers Los Angeles Politics.

Sam's American Hotsheet for Monday

So much for "We Report You Decide" at Fox News. Maverick Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul has been bounced from their on-air debates as well as third party candidates. An activist group, rockthedebates.org is pressing to get pledges from the Democratic and Republican candidates to debate Libertarians, Greens and other third party candidates. So far Paul and Mike Huckabee have signed on; Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are opposed. What are they afraid of?

latinopoliticsblog.com questions the strategic wisdom of the Hillary Clinton campaign having Mayor Villaraigosa tag along in New Hampshire. More importantly - the blog drives home - why isn't the Mayor at home solving problems instead of playing Presidential politics out of state?

Sam's American Hot Sheet

The media actually reports something going well in the war in Iraq. Its about how the City of Fallujah is turning around, suicide bombings haven't happened in months and the citizenry appreciates the Marines. Wow! Maybe if we held on it this thing might start working.

John Stossel is taking on Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and the mis-truths and made up facts in it. First he talks with scientists who don't buy the global warming hysteria and whom are often threatened for having a dissenting view. In another piece, Stossel says that even if there is global warming that "Despite recent developments, man can't control the weather, much less the climate. "

Apparently Barack Obama doesn't believe in putting his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance. Even Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson show some respect for the flag.

Brent Bozell is apparently furious some schools are handing out birth control to 11 year olds. No doubt no one in their right mind thinks 11 year olds should be having sex. However having been an 11 year old once myself, I know it happens (not from personal experience mind you). So at least they need to be prepared should it happen. Though rather than easily giving out birth control they should be severly programmed as to why its just a really bad idea.

We've seen this before, liberal Democrats for some reason get a pass when making racial slurs. In this case there's no brouhaha over the fact that Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen used an offensive ethnic slur about the Chinese.

Despite a report by the oh so not conservative LA Times, all the mainstream media except for Fox News failed to report that the Clinton campaign received a significant number of large contributions from poor Chinese immigrants. Hmm, wonder how those poor people did that?

And finally, Radar is reporting that the author of a new book claims that RFK banged the widowed Jackie Kennedy. Writer C. David Heymann plans to drop that bombshell in a new book, "A Woman Named Jackie."

Al Gore To Run For President

At least that's the headline this old, dead Republican Mayor is predicting we will see soon.

He just won the Nobel Prize. He won an Oscar. What is there left for a 60 year old man to do?

With Hilary being the only real contender in the Democratic primary - and lots of liberals and environmentalists not real happy with her - You Can Call Me Al could be the savior they're looking for.

Al himself hasn't ruled it out; at the same time a number of major leave efforts are underway to draft the man who invented the internet to run for President in 2008.

That sound you just heard is the Clinton Campaign crapping their pants.

Hillary's Five Grand Plan

Hillary Clinton has proposed that every child born in the United States should receive a $5000 bond which would earn interest over time, which they would receive at age 18 to finance a college education or make a down payment on a house (or throw a massive kegger?).

If the bond earns the current average of around 3.6% and compounded daily, after 18 years the kid could cash out at $9,558.26

This is just more of the socialism that Democrats want to serve up.

One is reminded of the following phrase - though there is disagreement and uncertainty as to who said it:

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship. "

Keep voting yourself those benefits!

Sam's American Hot Sheet for Wednesday

Tim Graham comments at NewsBusters about bigoted, one-sided reporting on illegal immigration in The Washington Post. Graham paints the article as "another set of sympathetic portraits of hard-working Latinos who weep on street curbs over how they're hated by the Angry Caucasian Menace," and points out that anti-illegal immigration advocates are mentioned only in passing.

He hasn't been in office for nearly 35 years and been dead for over 10 but apparently ABC News thinks it's news that Richard Nixon thought that now Presidential candidate and then thirty-something Watergate prosecutor Fred Thompson was "dumb as hell."

There may be blood in the water surrounding the re-election prospects of Alaska's antique GOP Senator, Ted Stevens. Stevens who has been controversial recently for his pork barrel bridge to nowhere and other corruption allegations is considered vulnerable on both his right and left flank. The leading Democratic contender is 45 year old Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich and on the Republican side is ever popular Alaska Governor Sarah Palin - though a number of folks are boosting the attractive, tough fisted 43 year old as a potential GOP Vice Presidential nominee.

Sam's American Hot Sheet

John Seiler blogs E.J. Dionne's silly idea to ask Republicans to support a tax to keep the war going. Dionne is apparently thinking that Republicans should be forced to put their money where their mouth is on keeping the war going.

Supposedly tolerant liberal wags would totally jump at the chance that Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice is supposedly gay. They've seized on the fact that Rice co-owns a home with another woman as evidence Condi plays for the other team. Turns out that Rice's fellow property owner is a radical liberal Stanford professor and longtime friend - Randy Bean - who bought the home with Rice as an income property; neither of them live there. Indeed Bean says she's such a lefty that she would never be in the closet were she actually gay.

To left leaning MSNBC pundits such as Lynne Cheney who speak on behalf of Republican Presidential candidate Fred Thompson are spinning. Warner Todd Houston wonders if the same description would be given to Oprah's boosting of Barack Obama.

Justin McCarthy blogs on Bill Sammon's Fox News Channel report that Hillary Clinton has hired document stealer and former national security advisor Sandy Berger to her team - and the mainstream media's lack of coverage of such. Indeed, both McCarthy and Sammon wonder what would happen if one of the Republican candidates were to hire Scooter Libby.

Hotties Could Save Republican Party

Usually Republicans are wizzened old white guys with the charisma of a wet blanket. But perhaps not for much longer as young, talented, strong, intelligent Republican hotties are coming on the scene.

We've talked before about Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Enormously popular, the 43 year old Republican has fought back against dinosaur, tax and spend Republicans in her home state and there's no doubt she could do the same at the national level. Many speculate that Palin could easily challenge bridge to nowhere builder Republican Senator Ted Stevens but a grassroots movement is growing to encourage consideration of Palin as a potential GOP Vice Presidential candidate.

Palin who has what is probably the highest approval rating of any politician in America at 84% has shaken up the GOP old boys club in Alaska, putting a stop to pork barrel politics and ending old sweetheart deals. She even put an end to the bridge to nowhere; killing what some considered to be the poster child for Congressional pork.

Some pundits who like Palin think she needs more experience. However some of her supporters posit that were Palin a male and a Democrat, she'd be considered the next JFK. Indeed, she has more executive experience and is of the same generation as Barack Obama.

Another young, female GOP power player of late is Jeri Kehn Thomspon, 41. The former media consultant and Republican National Committee staffer is considered to be the svengali behind her Presidential candidate husband, Fred Dalton Thompson. As the Thompson campaign kicks into high gear, Mrs. Thompson has become more prominent.

The Republican Party could be revived by turning leadership over to youngsters such as Palin and Thompson. Sure, Thompson's husband is the candidate and yet another wizzened old white guy, but should he be elected there certainly is a model for a first lady to follow to a political career of her own. Given that both Palin and Thompson are of my generation I agree its high time to turn things over to their peers.

By the way before any of you go nuts, when I refer to Palin and Mrs. Thompson being hotties, its the whole package, not just their looks. It refers more to a state of mind, intelligence and ability. Indeed, if Palin or Thompson were just clerks at the Piggly Wiggly, they'd probably just be considered of average attractiveness. Indeed, Henry Kissinger may have been correct when he said power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.

9. 11. 01: We Will Never Forget

Ted Nugent on the "Summer of Drugs"

Ted Nugent is one of the greatest all time rock musicians; in recent years he has become one of the most eloquent statesman in America on the topics of personal liberty and personal responsibility.

Ted's latest essay, this one for the Wall Street Journal, takes to task romantic notions of the Summer of Love (not to be confused with this Summer of Love) that took place some 40 years ago. Short of the civil rights movement and some great music, Nugent finds absolutely nothing of value from the decade of the 1960s and successfully traces many of our current ills to the half-baked notions developed by the so-called "counter-culture." Indeed, the 60s was the petri dish for the malignant narcissism that is rampant today.

Nugent - who has never gone in for alcohol and drugs - said the following of his experience amongst the "tuned-on, tuned-in and dropped-out" generation:

I literally had to step over stoned, drooling fans, band mates, concert promoters and staff to pursue my musical American Dream throughout the 1960s and 1970s. I flushed more dope and cocaine down backstage toilets than I care to remember. In utter frustration I was even forced to punch my way through violent dopers on occasion. So much for peace and love. The DEA should make me an honorary officer.

Nugent connects rising rates of divorce, high school drop outs, drug use, abortion, sexual diseases and crime as well as "the exponential expansion of government and taxes" to the "if it feels good, do it" lifestyle of the 1960s and "hippies who thought utopia could be found in joints and intentional disconnect."

When our leaders exercise some personal responsibility in their own lives and hold especially young people to higher standards rather than endeavoring to garner them self-esteem, we may eventually get back on track.

Happy Fourth of July!

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Today we mark the 231th anniversary of the signing of the greatest document ever written on Earth. It was so important and the men who signed it believed in it so much they mutually pledged "to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Read the full text of the Declaration of Independence.

VillarSalinas: We Told You So

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is in the midst of divorce proceedings with his wife, acknowledged he is in a relationship with a Spanish-language television reporter, according to a statement published Tuesday.

Villaraigosa issued a statement, published Tuesday by the Los Angeles Daily News, acknowledging his involvement with Telemundo newswoman Mirthala Salinas, after the paper told the mayor it was set to publish a story about their relationship.

"It is true that I have a relationship with Ms. Mirthala Salinas. As I've said I take full responsibility for my actions, and I once again ask that people respect my family's privacy. For my part, I intend to stay focused on my job, and to work as hard as I can every day to be the best mayor I can be," Villaraigosa said.

Liberals Want to Outlaw Conservative Talk

Well sort of.

Unable to achieve success in talkradio via the free market, liberals now plan to use government intervention to achieve their goals of more "liberal voices" on the air. Senators Hillary Clinton and Barbara Boxer want to bring back the so-called "fairness doctrine" and other regulations to "balance" programming. Its not just the liberals who are after talkradio but Republicans such as Trent Lott upset that their "free ride" on many conservative programs is over.

As reported by The National Review, longtime Clinton crony John Podesta has authored a treatise on what has to be done about the "problem" of conservative talkradio.

What's next? Are they going to outlaw blogs?

See the problem for you liberals is you might be able to try to outlaw the speech you don't like. However, the dangerous precedent you set will eventually come back to harm you when your opponents are in charge.

If it were up to some of the members of the City Council and the Mayor, laws might be passed that would impose government control on radio programs such as that of Doug McIntyre (pictured above) or blogs like this.

And even if the liberals get their laws, its likely they won't have the intended goals. Should stations be able to air unfettered and wildly profitable conservative talkradio programs, they will drop the format and political coverage altogether in favor of talk programming similar to Howard Stern or Tom Leykis or even other formats such as sports, music or foreign language broadcasts. And even if the government mandates certain types of programming be covered (such as they once did with community affairs programming) the broadcasters will find ways around those rules, such as airing the programs at 7:00 a.m. on a Sunday (as many still do voluntarily).

The best bet is to let everyone express their views and then let them be judged in the marketplace of ideas. But do liberals get that? I imagine some do but their numbers are shrinking everyday.

A Real Civil Rights Journey

by David Hernandez

Midway through the 20th Century, almost 100 years after President Lincoln wrote and delivered the Emancipation Proclamation, white Americans were awakened to a painful truth; Millions of American men and women, descendents of freed slaves, were being treated like second and third class citizens. In some parts of this nation, they were treated worse then stray dogs.

Forced to sit in the back of busses, prevented from eating and drinking in “whites only” restaurants and bars, waiting in line to drink from water fountains designated for “colored” only, black Americans suffered the shame and humiliation associated with bigotry and racism.

Given a series of events both political and social, Americans finally awoke to this reality and the Civil Rights Movement began. With leaders like Martin Luther King and courageous political and civil activists, laws were acquired at the local, state and national level that prevented abuses so common in the black community.

These laws permitted individuals born in the United States of America–some 4th, 5th and 6th generation Americans-to finally enjoy the basic rights so many citizens took for granted.

The Civil Rights Movement was their battle. It was a battle fought in the streets, in the schoolhouses, and in the courts for over a decade. It was founded on a dream that all men would someday be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Because of the sacrifices made by these courageous folks who were willing to put their lives on the line, civil rights exist today for all American citizens no matter what their race, religion, nationality or creed.

But there are a growing number of people in our country who are claiming that their civil rights are being violated. These men and women are Persons Here Illegally. They have stolen across the border and claimed this country as their home. Moreover, they are demanding the rights available to all American citizens with the help of organizations like the ACLU. According to the ACLU,

The Immigrants' Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation was established in 1987 to expand and enforce the civil rights and civil liberties of non-citizens and to combat public and private discrimination against immigrants.

Rights that took American Blacks decades to acquire are being handed to persons here illegally because they have successfully evaded authority and circumvented the legal process.

This is a civil rights issue, but the question is “Who’s civil rights are we most obligated to protect?”

What needs to be done.

There cannot be any discussion of immigration reform that does not include the impact illegal immigration has on the African American community. Those most impacted by the flood of persons here illegally will not be left to fend for themselves. The price of freedom was too great; the sacrifices made for civil rights were too painful.

The economic challenges faced by those from other countries deserve our compassion and our concern, but they do not equal the price paid in the journey from the auction block to the voting booth, from the plantation to the state assembly, from the back of the bus to the freedom to live, work and worship with every other American citizen. No, the road to citizenship was too painful and too costly to devalue by keeping it out of so-called “compressive reform.”

Before we can engage in any discussion of rights for migrant workers and those claiming entitlement to civil liberties, we must remember the sacrifices that were made by Americans in the name of liberty. We cannot keep American blacks out of the discussion.

When jobs, services, and money for education are diverted away from black communities and given to persons here illegally, we are stealing from the poor to give to the poor. Some say we are igniting a race war–well let me tell you–the war is here and it has been here for a very long time.

Politicians no longer get to blame activists for that which they have too long ignored.

So, I am closing with a challenge to all elected representatives and candidates for President: If you do not stand up for the black community now and include them in your talks of immigration reform, then you are not qualified to represent any American in the future.

God bless you and God bless the United States of America.

Midway through the 20th Century, almost 100 years after President Lincoln wrote and delivered the Emancipation Proclamation, white Americans were awakened to a painful truth; Millions of American men and women, descendents of freed slaves, were being treated like second and third class citizens. In some parts of this nation, they were treated worse then stray dogs.

Forced to sit in the back of busses, prevented from eating and drinking in “whites only” restaurants and bars, waiting in line to drink from water fountains designated for “colored” only, black Americans suffered the shame and humiliation associated with bigotry and racism.

Given a series of events both political and social, Americans finally awoke to this reality and the Civil Rights Movement began. With leaders like Martin Luther King and courageous political and civil activists, laws were acquired at the local, state and national level that prevented abuses so common in the black community.

These laws permitted individuals born in the United States of America–some 4th, 5th and 6th generation Americans-to finally enjoy the basic rights so many citizens took for granted.

The Civil Rights Movement was their battle. It was a battle fought in the streets, in the schoolhouses, and in the courts for over a decade. It was founded on a dream that all men would someday be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Because of the sacrifices made by these courageous folks who were willing to put their lives on the line, civil rights exist today for all American citizens no matter what their race, religion, nationality or creed.

But there are a growing number of people in our country who are claiming that their civil rights are being violated. These men and women are Persons Here Illegally. They have stolen across the border and claimed this country as their home. Moreover, they are demanding the rights available to all American citizens with the help of organizations like the ACLU. According to the ACLU, The Immigrants' Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation was established in 1987 to expand and enforce the civil rights and civil liberties of non-citizens and to combat public and private discrimination against immigrants.

Rights that took American Blacks decades to acquire are being handed to persons here illegally because they have successfully evaded authority and circumvented the legal process.

This is a civil rights issue, but the question is “Who’s civil rights are we most obligated to protect?”

What needs to be done.

There cannot be any discussion of immigration reform that does not include the impact illegal immigration has on the African American community. Those most impacted by the flood of persons here illegally will not be left to fend for themselves. The price of freedom was too great; the sacrifices made for civil rights were too painful.

The economic challenges faced by those from other countries deserve our compassion and our concern, but they do not equal the price paid in the journey from the auction block to the voting booth, from the plantation to the state assembly, from the back of the bus to the freedom to live, work and worship with every other American citizen. No, the road to citizenship was too painful and too costly to devalue by keeping it out of so-called “compressive reform.”

Before we can engage in any discussion of rights for migrant workers and those claiming entitlement to civil liberties, we must remember the sacrifices that were made by Americans in the name of liberty. We cannot keep American blacks out of the discussion.

When jobs, services, and money for education are diverted away from black communities and given to persons here illegally, we are stealing from the poor to give to the poor. Some say we are igniting a race war–well let me tell you–the war is here and it has been here for a very long time.

Politicians no longer get to blame activists for that which they have too long ignored.

So, I am closing with a challenge to all elected representatives and candidates for President: If you do not stand up for the black community now and include them in your talks of immigration reform, then you are not qualified to represent any American in the future.

God bless you and God bless the United States of America.

David Hernandez
http://blackamericanscivilrights.wordpress.com/

The Museum of Television & Radio in Los Angeles Presents POLITICAL SATIRE IN THE DIGITAL AGE: SALIH MEMECAN & JIBJAB on Thursday, April 5

The Museum of Television & Radio in Los Angeles Presents POLITICAL SATIRE IN THE DIGITAL AGE: SALIH MEMECAN & JIBJAB on Thursday, April 5; 7:00 p.m. at 465 N. Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills. Join JibJab founders Gregg and Evan Spiridellis and Turkish satirical cartoonist Salih Memecan discuss how political satire plays out in a digital age.

For more details, please call 310 786 1091 or visit www.mtr.org. Tickets are $5 at the door and free for students with proper ID - please call 310 786 1034 to rsvp.

More Edwards Spam for your Perusal

Dear Friend,

I was in Congress for 26 years and I've worked on a lot of campaigns, but I've never been so proud to be a part of one as I am right now. Because John, Elizabeth and you have created something incredible together. Our grassroots campaign for change is raising the bar for what leadership means in America—and it's strong enough to win.

As you probably know, this Saturday at midnight marks the first major fundraising deadline of this campaign—which means we have less than 96 hours to show that our campaign has the support and momentum we need to put our agenda in front of voters nationwide. This first test couldn't be more important.

If you've been waiting to plunk down your $50 until a truly critical moment—that moment has arrived. Your contribution of $25, $50 or any amount you can afford to give today will send a loud message that the American people are ready for change:

http://johnedwards.com/r/8884/848039/

When I say "raising the bar for what leadership means" I'm not just blowing smoke. To fundamentally change the country, we've got to go where ordinary campaigns fear to tread. That means putting forward real, bold plans for the future. It means putting our hands and our voices to work right now in local communities and on the national stage. All this clarity means real accountability, which you don't see much of in American politics. But if we're serious about change, it's the only way to go.

Here's how we've done it so far:

• Proposing transformational change for America and the world: John's plan for universal health care "set the standard for all the candidates with a specific proposal" (as New York Times columnist Paul Krugman put it). He's set out a plan to end the war in Iraq—starting now. He's offered a bold agenda for tackling extreme poverty at home and around the world. And last week, John announced a cutting-edge plan to halt global warming and create a new energy economy.
  
  
• Raising our voice on the issues today: We aren't waiting until 2009 to push for the big changes we know our country needs. Over 130,000 of us signed up to oppose Bush's escalation and demand an end to the war in Iraq. We raised our voices against the outrage of inadequate health care for our service members and veterans. And we called on Congress to vote to raise the minimum wage—and they did.
  
  
• Changing America right here and now: Through One Corps, thousands of us have gotten together to make our communities more energy efficient, volunteer in hospitals, serve those in need and gather grassroots support for the big goals we care about. And tonight, thousands of us will join in the first National John Edwards House Party Day to spread the word and grow our team.
  
  

You see why I'm so proud? In all my years in public life I've heard a lot of different people talk about change. But I've never seen someone at the national level walk the walk like John Edwards. That's why I know this campaign can really transform America—it's already begun.

But to keep our momentum going, we've got to have a strong showing for this Saturday's fundraising deadline. The press and the pundits will look at our fundraising numbers at the end of this week and ask: "Does the John Edwards campaign have what it takes to go the distance?"

You and I know the answer to that. This week, let's prove it to the world. Please chip in $50, $100, $25 or whatever you can afford to help us across the finish line today:

http://johnedwards.com/r/8886/848039/

Thank you for taking action,

David Bonior
Campaign Manager
John Edwards for President

Commentary and Coffee

This morning I bought a cup of coffee at the Starbucks located at the base of my office building and found a very political statement printed on my cup.

This is the result of a program started by the coffee retailer, The Way I See It. The Seattle based company says it "has always supported a good, healthy discussion," Their website continues, "To get people talking, “The Way I See It” is a collection of thoughts, opinions and expressions provided by notable figures that now appear on our widely shared cups."

I was kind of shocked and offended to find what I thought to be a typically liberal, anti-Christian screed on the side of my sugar free vanilla latte.

"Evolution as described by Charles Darwin is a scientific theory, abundantly reconfirmed, explaining physical phenomena by physical causes. Intelligent Design is a faith-based initiative in rhetorical argument. Should we teach I.D. in America’s public schools? Yes, let’s do it – not as science, but alongside other spiritual beliefs, such as Islam, Zoroastrianism and the Hindu idea that the Earth rests on Chukwa, the giant turtle."
David Quammen
Author. His books include The Song of the Dodo and The Reluctant Mr. Darwin.

Just as I was about to blast them for this, I actually did some research and found that for the most part, the selected commentaries are fairly balanced. To take it a step further, Starbucks allows its customers to comment further on their website.

Here's a quote from another cup featuring thoughts from right leaning radio shrink Dr. Laura Schlessinger:

"Many people search blindly for the “meaning of life.” What they don’t seem to understand is that life does not have meaning through mere existence or acquisition or fun. The meaning of life is inherent in the connections we make to others through honor and obligation."
Dr. Laura Schlessinger International radio host and author. Her program is syndicated on more than 250 radio stations worldwide.

To be honest, I knee-jerked on this one and upon further research and reflection, I think this is a great program. I may not agree with some of the sentiments but if Starbucks is encouraging an open discussion it can't be a bad idea.