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Baker Report: Bush Iraq Policy ‘Not Working'

Now, here's a surprise. Bush and Cheney's Iraqi War has not worked. They have underreported the level of violence in Iraq. They need to try a bit of diplomacy. The situation is "sliding toward chaos." With 2,900 American troops dead, and tens of thousands of Iraqis killed in Bush's little "mission accomplished" foray, could we not have reached this conclusion a long time ago? This is infuriating. I'm so sick of morons and liars running our country (city and state, for that matter, but that's a different rant):

70 Years Later and People Still Don't Get It

I just ran across this excellent quote while researching primary source material for my reference book on criminal justice history. I can't use it in the book, but it's too good not to repeat (emphases mine):

Slaves in the U.S.

The Oregonian had a fascinating story a few days ago about an Ethiopian woman whose employers (she was working for a family) basically made her a slave:

end of the year albums

It's a good time for music. Though the first single from Jay-z's new album "Kingdom Come" is underwhelming at first listen, Hov's come back album is everything I wanted it to be.

Fighting Off the Winter Blues

Blues, blahs...whatever. Regardless of how much I usually love the holidays, the lack of sunlight and heat during the winter makes me feel yucky. It's a yearly battle that I need to be more prepared for, and I'm not the only one out there who has to deal with this.

What is Hampton TALKING About?!?

OK, The Ledger's David Hampton has really wigged out this time. In his column about crime today, he divides all of us Jacksonians into two offensive categories. Don't get too excited trying to figure out which of these extremes you fit into. Enjoy the money quotes:

C-L = Fox News…paper?

Wow. Check out the lede on this article in today's Metro section.

Frere

I started to post this a few weeks ago, but something in me paused. My brother is flying to see me tomorrow, though, and I thought of it again. It's from my own journal, so I'm taking parts out (not sure what's allowed and not with the US Army):

Lawyers Debate Why Blacks Lag at Major Firms

All you great legal minds out there might want to chew on this New York Times story a bit. It discusses the debate among lawyers about why law firms are having trouble retaining black attorneys and why so few are making partner. Talk among yourselves:

Why I Am Tempted To Stop Watching Local News Programs.

Not forever, just for a few months maybe. How much bad news should a person hear about in a day?

I'm tired of hearing about crime. I'm tired of hearing about Melton. I'm tired of hearing about the backlog of court cases in Hinds County, the suburban elite, and potholes. I need more than 30 seconds of good news at the end of the program. A lot more.

keeping it real

After multi-dozens of radio and TV interviews, magazines stories (ones I've written and ones I've been featured in), I am feeling so disconnected from my trip to Africa. A book publisher contacted me, wanting me to write an essay for a book alongside Barbara Kingsolver and Michael Chabon -- writers I am really pretty gaga over -- and of course I want to do it. But I feel so stuck.

‘Afterschool' Car Tag Announced

[verbatim release] - Mississippi drivers will soon be able to support afterschool programs in their

Peavey Electronics and the Mississippi Afterschool Alliance are helpingMississippi become the first state to offer a car tag that benefits afterschoolprograms. The tag will be unveiled at the Lights On Afterschool rally onNovember 28 at the historic MSU Riley Center for the Performing Arts inMeridian, Miss.

Open Letter to Wayne Dowdy: Please Run Somebody in District 3

Dear Mr. Dowdy:

In 2004 and 2006, independent white separatist candidate Jim Giles earned double-digit support from District 3 voters--simply because he was the top-billed challenger on the ballot, and therefore inherited many of the votes that would have otherwise automatically gone to the Democratic challenger.

Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens, well, Yusuf Islam, has a new CD out. He hasn't put out an album in 28 years (longer than my life!), and really, I just think that's something to celebrate. You can hear a song on NPR right now: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6518827

Ripa Vs. Aiken

We are all made of stars.

Fine. I admit it. I watched Regis and Kelly and The View. I'm drawn to celebrity feud like Godiva and Elvis Merlot. It makes me laugh, it humbles me and it makes me feel like I'm a celebrity too since we all screw up sometimes.

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