Jena 6! The name sounds like the Title and Sequel number of an erotic video. OK, you can stop pretending you have never heard of Jenna Jamison. This is, after all, the World Wide Web, and while every topic imaginable has a following, I can neither see who you are, nor read your mind. But I digress.
Now that I have your attention gentle reader, the term Jena 6 has gained notoriety, if not infamy, for being steeped in a completely different sociological genre. Though a sordid tale indeed, there are no sexual escapades or intrigues involved. This Jena has a population of about 3,000, and is the seat of La Salle Parish; a Central Louisiana community located Northwest of Baton Rouge. Dial Area Code 318, if helplessly hip.
The 6 refers to six 15-17 year-old Black students from Jena high school (where the school colors just happen to be black and gold), who were involved in an incident, December 4, 2006 (oh, the desecration and indignity of it all; how could they?), that led to their being charged with attempted second-degree murder. Mychal Bell, the first to be tried, was convicted June 26, 2007 of reduced, at the last moment, but still serious charges of aggravated second-degree battery, and conspiracy to commit aggravated second-degree battery. Sentencing has been set for September 20, 2007.
Often lost in the haze is a backdrop that includes serial instances of gross intimidation, inequitable treatment, lack of equal protection under the law, and apparent racially motivated behavior by the Jena School Board, and District Attorney. All these factors and more fueled an environment ripe for an explosion, which occurred December 4th.
There is something, no make a lot about the Jena 6 that simply does not add up. Bell, who was 16 at the time of the incident, was tried as an adult. Oh by the way, not saying it mattered (What do you think?), but the jury panel was all White. In another of many interesting developments, his public defender called no witnesses.
Conviction on the more serious charge of attempted second-degree murder could have resulted in a maximum sentence of life in prison. Alternately, a maximum sentence applied for the lesser charges could result in up to 22 years. It is expected that charges will also eventually be reduced for the remaining co-defendants.
Others charged in connection with the incident include Robert Bailey, Jr., Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis, Theo Shaw, and an unnamed juvenile. Their trials will be scheduled for a later date. Justin Barker, a White student was unconscious and in need of medical attention after allegedly having been assaulted by the so-called Jena 6.
While this case has been buried in the National press by contemporaneous stories, including Iraq, Tim Donaghy (NBA Referee), Michael Vick (NFL Player), the MLB Barry Bonds-steroids saga, the heat wave…you name it, the case has still managed to attract its share of National and International attention. It has been featured by NPR, and the BBC. Stories have run in dailies in major American cities, albeit frequently not headliners. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and the Nation of Islam have all been to Jena. And yet, it has not resonated with, or captured the imagination of the American people.
The point of referencing all the attention revolving around the case, the vast array of sources from which it has emanated, and directing you to the attached links is to have you contemplate and explore the depth of the racial dysfunction in this small town American community. Moreover, I exhort you to avoid the potentially perilous fate of falling for the okey doke, and contentedly thinking “everything is OK.”
The fact is, one day it’s lynching in Jasper, Texas, the next, it’s railroading young Black men in Jena, Louisiana, where since 1902, the motto of the State has been, Union, Justice, Confidence. There are those who argue the Jena 6 has had none of the above!
One day soon, the racial dysfunction could very well visit a street in a town near you. Will you be ready?
Holla back!
See links below:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jena,_Louisiana
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-jena_wittjun26,1,3186370.story?coll=chi-news-hed.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19488285/
http://www.btimes.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=13762&sID=3
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/03/AR2007080302098.html
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/Essays/opnESSAY082807.htm
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=14477_0_4_0_C
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Whatever Happened To...
Barry Bonds? A scant 2 ½ weeks ago, he was in the midst of a media maelstrom as he approached, then eclipsed the Major League Baseball (MLB) home run record. On Tuesday evening, August 7, 2007, Bonds hit his record-breaking 756th home run in the 5th inning of a game in San Francisco, against the Washington Nationals. The pitcher, indelibly and inextricably linked with Bonds in history; some guy named Mike Bacsik.
Quick, what is Bonds’ current home run total? When is the last time he hit a home run? Against what team and pitcher was his last home run hit? Talk about the currency of hateration. Did his alleged use of ‘roids prove to be a myth? Alternatively, does he simply have Michael Vick and Tim Donaghy to thank for knocking him out of the most reviled man in sports spotlight?
In reading about Bonds and the fallout over his well-documented fall from grace, I came across a novel hypothesis. As we confidently navigate the digital age, we like to lead with the statistics or data sets that make our various and sundry arguments bulletproof. Well a gentleman named Stan Ganz, writing in a publication known as The American, cites economist J.C. Bradbury of Kennesaw State University with having posited that economic theory, not steroids, explains Bonds’ homerun assault.
Among other things, Bradbury notes that in the mid 1990’s, baseball added four expansion teams, Tampa, Miami, Colorado, and Arizona. This infusion of employment opportunities resulted in over one hundred (100) former minor leaguers joining the ranks of MLB. This dilution included creating an entire class of pitchers whom, teams would never have brought up to the Bigs, prior to expansion. Many of my NBA fans-friends can relate to this theory, as we have discussed it frequently.
In summary, Bonds and other frequently questioned home run hitters “opportunistically” made big runs during a period their superior skills allowed them to tower over a larger than normal class of sub par competition. I am not sure which is worse; the potentially over-hyped drug allegations, or the diminution, albeit temporary, of the game’s vitality.
Yes, I said temporary diminution. There is a second major plank to the theory, which notes there was also a spike in foreign-born players entering the league in the late 90’s. This talent explosion, which is still occurring, will eventually overtake and erase the talent dilution problem.
Performance enhancing drugs are and have long been a part of sports. However, there is a fair amount of evidence that Bonds is a record-holder, not because of performance enhancing drugs, but because the Commissioner and owners, in executing a well-conceived plan to make more money for MLB created a perfect storm for Bonds. Go figure.
Holla back!
http://www.american.com/archive/2007/august-0807/bonds2019-economic-home-run
Quick, what is Bonds’ current home run total? When is the last time he hit a home run? Against what team and pitcher was his last home run hit? Talk about the currency of hateration. Did his alleged use of ‘roids prove to be a myth? Alternatively, does he simply have Michael Vick and Tim Donaghy to thank for knocking him out of the most reviled man in sports spotlight?
In reading about Bonds and the fallout over his well-documented fall from grace, I came across a novel hypothesis. As we confidently navigate the digital age, we like to lead with the statistics or data sets that make our various and sundry arguments bulletproof. Well a gentleman named Stan Ganz, writing in a publication known as The American, cites economist J.C. Bradbury of Kennesaw State University with having posited that economic theory, not steroids, explains Bonds’ homerun assault.
Among other things, Bradbury notes that in the mid 1990’s, baseball added four expansion teams, Tampa, Miami, Colorado, and Arizona. This infusion of employment opportunities resulted in over one hundred (100) former minor leaguers joining the ranks of MLB. This dilution included creating an entire class of pitchers whom, teams would never have brought up to the Bigs, prior to expansion. Many of my NBA fans-friends can relate to this theory, as we have discussed it frequently.
In summary, Bonds and other frequently questioned home run hitters “opportunistically” made big runs during a period their superior skills allowed them to tower over a larger than normal class of sub par competition. I am not sure which is worse; the potentially over-hyped drug allegations, or the diminution, albeit temporary, of the game’s vitality.
Yes, I said temporary diminution. There is a second major plank to the theory, which notes there was also a spike in foreign-born players entering the league in the late 90’s. This talent explosion, which is still occurring, will eventually overtake and erase the talent dilution problem.
Performance enhancing drugs are and have long been a part of sports. However, there is a fair amount of evidence that Bonds is a record-holder, not because of performance enhancing drugs, but because the Commissioner and owners, in executing a well-conceived plan to make more money for MLB created a perfect storm for Bonds. Go figure.
Holla back!
http://www.american.com/archive/2007/august-0807/bonds2019-economic-home-run
With Friends (And/Or Family) Like This...
It has oft been noted, you can pick your nose (though I hope you don’t), you can pick your friends (which Michael Vick did, with questionable results), but you can’t pick your family. Boy can Mike attest to that, right about now.
In an article in today’s edition of USA Today, Michael Boddie, Vick’s estranged father, goes on record as saying he told his son to stop dogfighting years ago, and further urges people to stop sugarcoating it. He maintains Vick has a history of dogfighting, going all the way back to when he lived at home with him, where he alleges Vick staged dogfights in his garage and back yard. In perhaps the coup de grace, Boddie claims, “this is Mike’s thing, and he knows it.” Ouch!
Alas, in the Vick-Boddie Family version of the elusive answer to the Riddle of the Sphinx, Boddie told USA Today he’s singing because he’s been hurt by what he termed inaccurate reports that Vick grew up without his father present. “I’ve been drug through the mud,” he said.
Well, there we have it, Family Feud, the Michael Vick pile on version, or as Kool Moe Dee might have said, “How Ya Like Me Now?” Indeed, there have been a number of unfortunate developments in this saga. It is difficult to imagine any sadder than this…to date anyway.
Peace!
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/falcons/2007-08-23-vick-thursday_N.htm
In an article in today’s edition of USA Today, Michael Boddie, Vick’s estranged father, goes on record as saying he told his son to stop dogfighting years ago, and further urges people to stop sugarcoating it. He maintains Vick has a history of dogfighting, going all the way back to when he lived at home with him, where he alleges Vick staged dogfights in his garage and back yard. In perhaps the coup de grace, Boddie claims, “this is Mike’s thing, and he knows it.” Ouch!
Alas, in the Vick-Boddie Family version of the elusive answer to the Riddle of the Sphinx, Boddie told USA Today he’s singing because he’s been hurt by what he termed inaccurate reports that Vick grew up without his father present. “I’ve been drug through the mud,” he said.
Well, there we have it, Family Feud, the Michael Vick pile on version, or as Kool Moe Dee might have said, “How Ya Like Me Now?” Indeed, there have been a number of unfortunate developments in this saga. It is difficult to imagine any sadder than this…to date anyway.
Peace!
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/falcons/2007-08-23-vick-thursday_N.htm
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Will Michael Vick Ever Play Again In The NFL?
Will Michael Vick Ever Play Again In The NFL?
Well, the proverbial other shoe dropped Monday for Michael Vick. The preliminary verdict is in and the “all Vick all the time” coverage is abuzz with speculation about the length of his sentencing, whether, or rather when the NFL will suspend him, and how long can it possibly be before the Falcons go after his signing bonus $.
The next question ominously lurking is will Vick return to the NFL after his stint listening to “Konvict” music? I’m just speculating, of course, but it's my belief he is destined to become not just the first guy to go from starting NFL QB to the penitentiary, but also the first guy to get a round-trip ticket back to an NFL gridiron. There is far too much money on the line for that not to happen.
The NFL, first and foremost, is "All About the Benjamins!" Sure the Falcons will declare him persona non grata. He’ll then do his time, and quite miraculously be deemed rehabilitated by some savvy owner ready to roll the dice, err a, I mean, provide Vick an opportunity to redeem himself (no gambling in the NFL, dog). Of course, no mention will be made of the fans that will fill stadia to cheer or boo Vick. And really, you gotta know, cheering or booing really isn’t the point, filling the seats is. See Barry Bonds. By the way, just so we're clear, I certainly don't mean to imply he wouldn't deserve a second chance after paying his debt to society.
Finally, I noted with interest at least one analyst cited the Falcon’s 52% season ticket ownership by Blacks as an omen that the Dirty Birds will lead the League in no-shows. Seems a lot of Atlanta area Blacks think the team and the League conspired (there, I said the dreaded C-word) to do Mike in.
Oy vey! The no-show thing remains to be seen, but let’s get one thing straight. The source of Mike’s dilemma is his decision-making. Not the NFL, not the Falcons, not his Boys, not his legal counsel, or lack thereof, and definitely not where, or with whom he grew up. That being said, I can hear the Iverson-types’ paraphrasing going something like this…”but they were only dogs.”
I’m not saying I agree with or harbor that sentiment. In fact, I don’t. But, it is intriguing how much venom Vick is eliciting from PETA and many others. I don’t think the fallout from the Ray Lewis alleged murder situation was fraught with as much wall-to-wall coverage, fervor, and “consequences and repercussions.” OJ-Nicole? Well, maybe.
I’m done; holla!
Some of what people are saying:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/falcons/2007-08-21-vick-state-charges_N.htm
Well, the proverbial other shoe dropped Monday for Michael Vick. The preliminary verdict is in and the “all Vick all the time” coverage is abuzz with speculation about the length of his sentencing, whether, or rather when the NFL will suspend him, and how long can it possibly be before the Falcons go after his signing bonus $.
The next question ominously lurking is will Vick return to the NFL after his stint listening to “Konvict” music? I’m just speculating, of course, but it's my belief he is destined to become not just the first guy to go from starting NFL QB to the penitentiary, but also the first guy to get a round-trip ticket back to an NFL gridiron. There is far too much money on the line for that not to happen.
The NFL, first and foremost, is "All About the Benjamins!" Sure the Falcons will declare him persona non grata. He’ll then do his time, and quite miraculously be deemed rehabilitated by some savvy owner ready to roll the dice, err a, I mean, provide Vick an opportunity to redeem himself (no gambling in the NFL, dog). Of course, no mention will be made of the fans that will fill stadia to cheer or boo Vick. And really, you gotta know, cheering or booing really isn’t the point, filling the seats is. See Barry Bonds. By the way, just so we're clear, I certainly don't mean to imply he wouldn't deserve a second chance after paying his debt to society.
Finally, I noted with interest at least one analyst cited the Falcon’s 52% season ticket ownership by Blacks as an omen that the Dirty Birds will lead the League in no-shows. Seems a lot of Atlanta area Blacks think the team and the League conspired (there, I said the dreaded C-word) to do Mike in.
Oy vey! The no-show thing remains to be seen, but let’s get one thing straight. The source of Mike’s dilemma is his decision-making. Not the NFL, not the Falcons, not his Boys, not his legal counsel, or lack thereof, and definitely not where, or with whom he grew up. That being said, I can hear the Iverson-types’ paraphrasing going something like this…”but they were only dogs.”
I’m not saying I agree with or harbor that sentiment. In fact, I don’t. But, it is intriguing how much venom Vick is eliciting from PETA and many others. I don’t think the fallout from the Ray Lewis alleged murder situation was fraught with as much wall-to-wall coverage, fervor, and “consequences and repercussions.” OJ-Nicole? Well, maybe.
I’m done; holla!
Some of what people are saying:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/falcons/2007-08-21-vick-state-charges_N.htm
Monday, August 20, 2007
Obama Plays The Experience Card
In an apparent calculated act of derring-do, Obama declares the virtue of inexperience. Gotta love it! ;-)
Personal footnote of recollection: I recall Jimmy Carter running the "anti-Washington" (i.e., lack of Capitol Hill experience) campaign in '75-76. You know what, it worked.
The problem was, once JC sent all the reigning bureaucrats & policy wonks home, he was left with an assembly of newbies who didn't understand how to get things done in DC. The result was a very smart guy, genuine humanitarian, and erstwhile successful leader presided over a disastrous presidency, fraught with innumerable policy failures (see the Shah of Iran, double-digit inflation, & the outrageous Interest/Mortgage rate morass) and public relations gaffes (remember the killer rabbit, and the failed helicopter gambit).
Fortunately for him he was able to live long enough and subsequently do enough good deeds to distance himself from most of an unremarkable tenure as a one-term president, followed by a resounding defeat by that cowboy actor Teflon guy.
Of course none of that has anything to do with Obama...except in the unlikely even he prevails, let's hope he doesn't take that inexperience thing too far. As W constantly reminds us, getting to the White House is one thing (after all, he's done it twice), providing prudent and effective leadership once there is quite another.
'06!
Posted on Mon, Aug. 20, 2007
The following story on the subject appeared in today's news:
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS DEBATE IN IOWA
Obama positsvirtue of inexperience
What rivals criticize as naivete, he presents as break from status quo
MIKE GLOVER
Associated Press
AP Photo
Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., talk on stage during a break in the ABC News Democratic candidates debate, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
DES MOINES, Iowa --Democrat Barack Obama on Sunday tried to parlay his relative lack of national experience into a positive attribute, chiding his rivals for adhering to "conventional thinking" that led the country to war and has divided the country.
In their latest debate, the candidates also said they favored more federal action to address economic woes that have resulted from a housing slump and tighter credit. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson called the current financial crisis "the Katrina of the mortgage-lending industry."
Prodded by moderator George Stephanopoulos at the outset of the debate, Obama's rivals critiqued his recent comments on Pakistan and whether he would meet with foreign leaders -- including North Korea's head of state -- without conditions.
"To prepare for this debate I rode in the bumper cars at the state fair," the first-term senator from Illinois said to laughter and applause from the audience at Drake University.
The debate capped an intense week of politicking in Iowa, an early voting state in the process of picking a nominee. The Iowa State Fair is a magnet for White House hopefuls each presidential election.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., directly addressing a question about Obama's relative inexperience, said: "You're not going to have time in January of '09 to get ready for this job." Dodd has served in Congress for more than 30 years.
Former Sen. John Edwards said Obama's opinions "add something to this debate." But Edwards said politicians who aspire to be president should not talk about hypothetical solutions to serious problems.
"It effectively limits your options," Edwards said.
Obama said he could handle the rigors of international diplomacy and noted that many in the race, including Dodd, Edwards and Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Joe Biden, voted to authorize the Iraq war in 2002.
"Nobody had more experience than Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney and many of the people on this stage that authorized this war," Obama said. "And it indicates how we get into trouble when we engage in the sort of conventional thinking that has become the habit in Washington."
The debate, hosted and broadcast nationally by ABC, took place less than five months before Iowa caucus-goers begin the process of selecting the parties' presidential nominees.
Personal footnote of recollection: I recall Jimmy Carter running the "anti-Washington" (i.e., lack of Capitol Hill experience) campaign in '75-76. You know what, it worked.
The problem was, once JC sent all the reigning bureaucrats & policy wonks home, he was left with an assembly of newbies who didn't understand how to get things done in DC. The result was a very smart guy, genuine humanitarian, and erstwhile successful leader presided over a disastrous presidency, fraught with innumerable policy failures (see the Shah of Iran, double-digit inflation, & the outrageous Interest/Mortgage rate morass) and public relations gaffes (remember the killer rabbit, and the failed helicopter gambit).
Fortunately for him he was able to live long enough and subsequently do enough good deeds to distance himself from most of an unremarkable tenure as a one-term president, followed by a resounding defeat by that cowboy actor Teflon guy.
Of course none of that has anything to do with Obama...except in the unlikely even he prevails, let's hope he doesn't take that inexperience thing too far. As W constantly reminds us, getting to the White House is one thing (after all, he's done it twice), providing prudent and effective leadership once there is quite another.
'06!
Posted on Mon, Aug. 20, 2007
The following story on the subject appeared in today's news:
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS DEBATE IN IOWA
Obama positsvirtue of inexperience
What rivals criticize as naivete, he presents as break from status quo
MIKE GLOVER
Associated Press
AP Photo
Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., talk on stage during a break in the ABC News Democratic candidates debate, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
DES MOINES, Iowa --Democrat Barack Obama on Sunday tried to parlay his relative lack of national experience into a positive attribute, chiding his rivals for adhering to "conventional thinking" that led the country to war and has divided the country.
In their latest debate, the candidates also said they favored more federal action to address economic woes that have resulted from a housing slump and tighter credit. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson called the current financial crisis "the Katrina of the mortgage-lending industry."
Prodded by moderator George Stephanopoulos at the outset of the debate, Obama's rivals critiqued his recent comments on Pakistan and whether he would meet with foreign leaders -- including North Korea's head of state -- without conditions.
"To prepare for this debate I rode in the bumper cars at the state fair," the first-term senator from Illinois said to laughter and applause from the audience at Drake University.
The debate capped an intense week of politicking in Iowa, an early voting state in the process of picking a nominee. The Iowa State Fair is a magnet for White House hopefuls each presidential election.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., directly addressing a question about Obama's relative inexperience, said: "You're not going to have time in January of '09 to get ready for this job." Dodd has served in Congress for more than 30 years.
Former Sen. John Edwards said Obama's opinions "add something to this debate." But Edwards said politicians who aspire to be president should not talk about hypothetical solutions to serious problems.
"It effectively limits your options," Edwards said.
Obama said he could handle the rigors of international diplomacy and noted that many in the race, including Dodd, Edwards and Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Joe Biden, voted to authorize the Iraq war in 2002.
"Nobody had more experience than Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney and many of the people on this stage that authorized this war," Obama said. "And it indicates how we get into trouble when we engage in the sort of conventional thinking that has become the habit in Washington."
The debate, hosted and broadcast nationally by ABC, took place less than five months before Iowa caucus-goers begin the process of selecting the parties' presidential nominees.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
