From MSNBC: “Middle class” Mitt is trying to hide how rich he is. In last night’s show, MSNBC’s Ed blew Romney’s cover and revealed not only the extent of his personal wealth but also what his tax plan would do to the working poor in this country. Eugene Robinson, MSNBC Analyst and Associate Editor and Pulitzer Prize winning Columnist for the Washington Post helped Ed in dismantling the flip-flopping, double-dip somersaulting, rich liar.

   Mitt Romney — Filthy Rich at Bain Capital

—————————————————————-
NOTES: Bain, Barack and Jobs — Mitt Romney says that President Obama has been a job destroyer, while he was a job-creating businessman. But those claims border on dishonesty. [ READ MORE ]
—————————————————————-

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Meantime, racist homophobic-misogynist Rick Santorum still can’t explain his comment about “black people.” Joan Walsh, Salon’s Editor at Large, and Michael Eric Dyson, Professor of Sociology at Georgetown university and author of “Can You Hear Me Now?,” joined Ed for that discussion.

Racist, Homophobic-Misogynist Rick Santorum Denies Using ‘Foodstamp’ Racial Stereotype on Black People

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Echoing the same issue, the other pile of racist hot-garbage, cockamamie presidential candidate, serial adulterer and serial-shyster Newton Leroy Gingrich — said Thursday he is willing to go before the NAACP and urge blacks to demand paychecks, not food stamps, thus emphasizing Santorum’s false racial stereotype that blacks are “welfare queens” feeding off “white money” [ READ MORE ]

Gingrich told a town hall meeting at a senior center in Plymouth, N.H., that if the NAACP invites him to its annual convention this year, he’d go there and talk about “why the African-American community should demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps.” [ READ MORE ]

War on The Poor: Rick Santorum Mocks The Idea of Healthcare For All Americans

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Kaboom: Newt Gingrich is Getting Ready To Pull The Grenade Safety Pin as He Calls RACIST Santorum a ‘Junior Partner’

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Worst Persons: Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Pat Robertson — Keith OlbermanN on why — Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is WORSE; GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum is WORSER; and Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson is the WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD for Jan. 4, 2012.

Herman Cain was second only to Rush Limbaugh for number of appearances in our “Psycho Talk” segment in 2011. Now, Mr. 999 is already back in 2012 — with a steaming pile of psycho-talk [WATCH BELOW].

Cain’s ’9-9-9′ Solutions Revolution: Pizza-Man Herman Cain Has Become The Male Sarah Palin

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Republican attack on labor resurfaces in “Apartheid” Indiana.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

And more bad news for Scott Walker as three people with ties to the Wisconsin governor are arrested.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

—————————————————————-
The Fox Lies, Anti-Obama Fearmongering & Republican Hate-Radio Round-Up
—————————————————————-

Hannity Joins In Distortion Of Obama Interview: “You Know, He Recently Said That He’s Lazy”

Hannity Guests Agree With Donald Trump: “Machiavellian” Obama Might Start War With Iran To Win Re-Election

Fox’s Napolitano Portrays Obama’s Summer Jobs Program As An “Out-And-Out Bribe” For Votes From Young People

Same Sexism, Different Show: Fox’s Kilmeade Makes A Comment About Removing A Woman’s “Missile Defense”

Limbaugh: Obama “[Took] A Pee On The Constitution” By Making Recess Appointments

Fox’s Johnson Calls Obama’s Recess Appointments A “Vigilante Act Of An Imperial Presidency”

Limbaugh: The Banks, The Military, And John McCain Are “Grabbing The Ankles” Under Obama’s “Lawless Regime” [ READ: IS RUSH LIMBAUGH A CLOSET GAY FASCIST? ]

Varney: “I Think Four More Years” Of Obama “Will Bankrupt America”

Forty two years after his assassination, Martin Luther King’s dream(s) has not been fully realized. Dr. King would have turned 81 last Friday, had he not met an untimely death, courtesy of assassin James Earl Ray.

Despite solid civil rights strides over the last few decades, marching towards Dr. King’s dream, a section of Republican America is still as fucked up as they were in 1900s. Although systematically dwindling in numbers, it is unfortunate to note that quite a fairly large chunk of “conservative savages” are still roaming this land, spitting venom like trapped cobra’s.

So, where’s the racial progress Obama promised? Polls suggest that one year into the Obama presidency, the country hasn’t made much progress when it comes to views on race.

I concur ….too may tea-bagging goons still living in America.

As I have stated above, as long as race-baiting baboons in the mode of Palin, Beck, Limbaugh ….Fox News, similar Republican Scum, and despicable black apologists like Michael Steele still exist, race relations in America will remain strained for a long time to come.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

President Obama Celebrates MLK Day

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Race Discussion: Town Hall at Texas Southern University

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Panel Discussion: Town Hall at Texas Southern University

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The State of Race Relations in America

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Embracing Obama’s Vision of Change

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Debating Affirmative Action

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Houston’s Mayor on Acceptance in America

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Race, Immigration, Generations

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Relieving Racial Tension Through Humor

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

More Questions From The Audience

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Closing Thoughts

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

MSNBC’s Ed Schultz is joined by Prof. Michael Eric Dyson

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

At long last Martin Luther’s King dream has come to fruition, an African American sits behind the desk at the Oval Office, and there’s no longer a need for civil rights organizations like the NAACP.

Yeah Right! Even President Barack Obama might have trouble hailing a cab in New York City if he were traveling incognito. I’ll be the first one to admit that we’ve come a long way towards achieving racial equality, but racism is still firmly entrenched in our society.

Witness the troubling incident involving Henry Louis Gates a literary critic, Harvard University scholar, educator, writer, editor, and renowned intellectual. This African American Renaissance Man was arrested at his own home by cops responding to a report of a break-in.

“Henry Louis Gates Jr. had forced his way through the front door of his home because it was jammed, his lawyer said Monday.

Cambridge police say they responded to the well-maintained two-story home near campus after a woman reported seeing ‘two black males with backpacks on the porch,’ with one ‘wedging his shoulder into the door as if he was trying to force entry.’

Gates said he turned over his driver’s license and Harvard ID – both with his photos – and repeatedly asked for the name and badge number of the officer, who refused. He said he then followed the officer as he left his house=2 0onto his front porch, where he was handcuffed in front of other officers.” The Associated Press/MELISSA TRUJILLO

The professor wasn’t wearing a backpack, which would have clashed with his usual impeccable attire. He furnished two photo ID’s, but all the cops saw was a black man in a place where he didn’t belong: An upper-middle class neighborhood.

This is a clear case of racial profiling, all the officers saw was the color black, and that makes this minority columnist see red. Gates is a frail 58-year-old man recovering from an illness — he didn’t fit the profile of a burglar trying to break down a door.

Once Gates furnished ID proving he was the legal resident of the home he was suspected of trying to break into, the cops should have apologized and left him alone.

Gates was named by by Time magazine as one of the 25 most influential Americans in 1997, but even the most gifted and accomplished African Americans run the risk of being treated as criminals by the cops.

Racial Profiling: ‘Housing While Black’ — Michael Eric Dyson & Clarence Page
Dissect Gates’ Arrest

References:

1. The Root Editor-in-Chief Henry Louis Gates Jr. talks about his arrest and the outrage of racial profiling in America.
2. What Do You Call a Black Man with a Ph.D.?
3. Scholar Says Arrest Will Lead Him To Explore Race in Criminal Justice — Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. has spent much of his life studying the complex history of race and culture in America, but until last week he had never had the experience that has left so many black men questioning the criminal justice system.

————————————————————————————————————————————————–

————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Buchanan and Barnicle Gang Up On Dyson

| Pat Buchanan’s Skeleton Closet | Pat Buchanan’s Antisemitism and the Holocaust | Pat Buchanan on Wikipedia |

New York Post Faces Public Outrage

CaffertyFile: U.S. a “nation of cowards” when it comes to race?

A Recent Racist Cartoon By The New York Post

Some Comments:

Tom from Philadelphia writes: Who let the black man in on closed-door racism? We have gone from overt, in-your-face racism, to closed-door, let-me-make-sure-who-I-am-talking-to racism. Overall, on the outside it’s going away. But in the hearts and minds of many and in private, it’s the same as it always was. He is bold and brave to confront it. Good job.

Terry, Chandler from Arizona writes: I’m a 60 year old white dude and a former bigot. AG Holder is 100 percent right on. We will continue to be cowards untill a time when we can all speak openly about all racial problems and differences.

Julie writes: I think he wants to get our minds off of the financial crisis

Ken in Pinon Hills, California writes: Millions of cowards voted for a black president.

Bruce, from St. Paul, Minnesota writes: In my lifetime, I have seen racism become more and more covert over time. There is less name calling, but still job applications are disregarded, law-abiding drivers are pulled over, and much, much more. I think to label this behavior as cowardly is exactly right. To deny or rationalize it is even worse.

Chryssa from Boise, Idaho writes: I believe Holder’s generation is a bunch of cowards. Most of us born after 1965 could care less about another person’s skin color.

Marjorie Lominy of Jorie, New York writes: I am happy to report that we have 69 millions “non cowards” who pulled the lever for President Obama.

Tommy form Alabama: Yeah, pretty much. As a 51 year old man, I do have one black friend and one gay friend. I think that’s pretty radical for a born and raised Alabamaian.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

New York Post’s Lame Apology

—————————————————————————————————————————————

—————————————————————————————————————————————

When Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966, he aimed to knit together black communities tattered by racial injustice and isolated from their African heritage. Karenga turned to West Africa and the language of Swahili to coin the term for a holiday celebration that means “first fruits of the harvest.” Kwanzaa unfolds over the seven day period from December 26 to January 1 and breathes through seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Though planted in Black Nationalist soil, Kwanzaa eventually flowered in black bourgeois America and has been globally recognized. A new documentary film, “Black Candle,” made by M.K. Asante and narrated by Maya Angelou, traces Kwanzaa’s origins in the black power movement to its flourishing as a holiday embraced by 40 million people worldwide.

   [Enlarge]

   Maulana Karenga celebrating at the Rochester Institute of Technology on December 12, 2003

In the United States, Kwanzaa has boiled or simmered as the nation’s racial temperature has changed. In its first couple of decades, Kwanzaa called attention to African roots and American fruits as its celebrations seamlessly united Kente clothe and homegrown cultural consciousness. Kwanzaa has prospered, it seems, when blacks have endured tough times. White supremacy in the ’60s, racial backlash in the ’70s, and anti-multiculturalism in the ’80s all lent energy to the premise of pan-Africanism: that blacks the world over should unite in common opposition to oppression. But when black folk make progress and enjoy spurts of success, reclaiming African roots is often seen as romantic and a relic of past struggle.

In accounting for Kwanzaa’s shifting fortunes, we must note the tension between a pan-Africanist and a Diasporic black identity: while the former voices common African values and a black homecoming, the latter speaks of lack, exile and migration — in short, a loss of home and what it means to black identity and the rituals that sustain it. Kwanzaa, as with all similar celebrations, is tied to the fate of the people it represents. Rituals rise and fall according to social needs and political desires. Given the Diasporic dimensions of black identity in America – where folk who’ve migrated from Africa, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, South America and the like meet native-born blacks — the erosion of the ties that bind is predictable, even as the celebrations that hold black identity together change and reflect the broadening of what it means to be black.

The political climate affects black rituals too. A lot has been made of the number of posts that black life confronts: post-soul, post-black, post-racial, and post-civil rights. In this era of black posts, pillars fall, whether civil rights leaders whose approach is viewed as passé, or as rituals of black cohesion are viewed by many blacks as quaint and largely irrelevant. A lot of that talk picked up pace with the election of Barack Obama as president, a monumental event that eclipsed black fears in some quarters (racism could no longer keep black folk from the big prizes of American life), exacerbated them in others (because of his success the bulk of blacks who continue to struggle might be forgotten). What’s a people – and how is “people” exactly defined in such conditions – to do?

In times like these, when the politics of race have shifted, celebrations like Kwanzaa take a hit in mainstream black life, or at least the black life that’s on display in the mainstream. But they often rev up in smaller, more intimate spaces, and in quarters not often observed by mainstream eyes where the holiday has always thrived. Ironically enough, Kwanzaa gets canonized in mainstream black circles –for instance, it arrives on postage stamps that commemorate its existence, a thin slice of memory licked by black tongues that otherwise may not taste its fruits in ceremonial practices. And it is observed on college campuses where students of all races are welcomed to celebrate black life and identity in a hospitable environment whose emphasis is often less on politics than potluck dinners.

But the holiday’s most faithful practitioners proclaim its original intent: bridging black folk across the chasms of land, language, water and religion as they forge solidarity in resisting obstacles and embracing opportunities to their common destiny. As the devotees of Kwanzaa understand, those aspirations have never been of much interest to the mainstream during any period of the nation’s history. And the increased fortunes of black folk cause many of them to focus their energy and attention elsewhere. But for its true believers, Kwanzaa is as relevant and necessary now as it’s ever been.

—————————————————————————

[Enlarge] About The Author: Michael Eric Dyson (born October 23, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan) is an American writer, radio host, and professor at Georgetown University. Dyson has a Ph.D. in religion from Princeton University. He is an ordained Baptist minister. Dyson taught at DePaul University, Chicago Theological Seminary, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Columbia University and Brown University, before going to the University of Pennsylvania in 2003. There he was the Avalon Professor of Humanities. Since 2007, Dyson has been University Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University, teaching courses in theology, English, and African American studies. A University Professorship is said to be the highest position that a faculty member can have at Georgetown. From January 2006 to February 2007 Dyson was the host of a daily syndicated talk radio program, The Michael Eric Dyson Show, which aired on weekdays from 10AM to 1PM (EST) on the Syndication One Radio Network (owned and operated by Radio One). He is also a regular commentator on National Public Radio, CNN, and the HBO TV program Real Time with Bill Maher. Dyson is best known for his commentary on American culture, particularly as it pertains to African Americans. Dyson uses the terms “Afristocracy” and “Ghettocracy” to describe a bifurcation in American black society. He is also a leading scholar on hip-hop music and the culture that surrounds it, as well as its roots in African and African-American cultures and influence on American popular culture. Dyson is well known to repeat his famous line, “Go Ahead. Axe me a question.”