26
The Republican Clown Car as Indecipherable Strategy
I’m beginning to think the Republican Clown Car of Candidates is a deliberate campaign strategy that is somehow beyond the comprehension of most regular-thinking mortals.
Articles by Black Liberal Boomer
Keith Owens (AKA Black Liberal Boomer) is a Detroit-based writer who has worked for The Detroit Free Press, Detroit’s alternative newsweekly the Metro Times, the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, and other newspapers. He was also a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Press Syndicate for three years beginning in 1993.
17
Charleston Needs More, Mr. President
What I don’t understand, however, is why the President, in his comments on Thursday morning, one day after the massacre, didn’t spend more time addressing the glaringly apparent racial aspects of this event that have already been openly acknowledged by authorities.
8
If Detroit Blows, Will Water Shutoffs Feed The Fire?
Ever since the civil unrest occurred in Ferguson, Missouri, sparked by the murder of Michael Brown by a police officer who got away with it, there have been anxious questioners wondering where else this type of unrest might catch fire.
21
Governor Snyder’s Plan To Erase Public Education In Detroit
Here in Detroit, the worst of what many of us have long suspected about Gov. Snyder’s intentions toward our city and our schools may really be happening, because Snyder doesn’t even need to hide those intentions anymore.
14
Thanks For Doing The Right Thing, Mayor Summey
The question I suspect a lot of black folks are asking today in the wake of the recent murder-by-cop of Walter Scott, is “So do you believe us now?”
14
First Detroit, Now Baltimore Is Shutting Off Water To The Poor
I’m having a rather hard time understanding why it is that the City of Baltimore has apparently made the decision to follow in the footsteps of my adopted hometown Detroit and is shutting off the water in poor peoples’ homes for falling behind on their bills while allowing the larger – and significantly wealthier – corporations and businesses to slide on by.
3
University Of Oklahoma Incident Proves The More Things Change…
I suppose I should have felt more outraged or ready to protest or whatever but, quite frankly? Empty. And what worries me about my own reaction is that I’m thinking it’s worse than outrage.
21
Rudy Giuliani, The Crazy Uncle Face Of The New Republican Party
Seems like every time you turn around these days there’s another crazy Republican uncle doing and saying the kind of things crazy Republican uncles do.
16
It’s Time We Believed Elizabeth Warren. She’s Not Running. And That’s OK
Warren is not running. It is not going to happen, and I think it’s time to accept that fact.
7
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Stuck On Repeat
Gov. Snyder has no intention of allowing the people of Detroit any say-so when it comes to Detroit Public Schools.
23
Obama Didn’t March In Paris Because Of Difference Between Free Speech And Hate Speech
Terrorism is something worth fighting against. President Obama knows this, and has been proving it time and time again throughout his presidency. Please don’t forget that this is the man who wiped out Osama bin Laden.
4
Why Detroit Needs Obama’s Affordable Community College Plan To Work
As Detroit continues its comeback struggle, perpetually seeking to redefine and recreate itself as a more updated community, one of the largest potential barriers to the realization of that goal is a sufficiently educated workforce.
4
Why The World Can’t Breathe
In the heated space between two murders, both committed by police officers who were later given a free pass by a grand jury, there were other similar murders, beatings, etc., that were once again recorded by We The People and then circulated for the rest of the world to see.
14
Michael Brown’s Empty Chair At Thanksgiving
Three days before the holiday where we here in America are expected to feast, rejoice, and give thanks, the parents of a dead child were given the news that the man who killed their son will face no punishment for his actions.
4
The Fight To Legalize Gay Marriage May Return To Supreme Court
It’s past time for the issue of gay marriage to be decided at the national, not just the local, level. The progress witnessed by the number of states that have approved same-sex marriage in recent years has been encouraging, but this should never have been a state’s rights sort of issue.
22
Can’t Blame Obama: African-American Voters Showed Up But Rick Snyder Won In Michigan
We can’t blame this on Obama. And we can’t blame it on Detroit voters not turning out at the polls either. Despite high turnout in Detroit, Republican Rick Snyder was re-elected as Governor of Michigan.
12
Won’t Get Fooled Again: Rick Snyder Won’t Con Michigan Twice With “Moderate Nerd” Persona
If the person who you elected to represent you only listens to you when you are saying what he wants to hear, then perhaps it’s time to choose someone else to represent you.
9
So How’s That Privatization Thing Working, Republicans?
Ever since Gov. Snyder decided last year to save the taxpayers some money by privatizing the food delivery system in Michigan’s Department of Corrections, it’s been a domino effect of catastrophes.
5
All Politics Is Local: Recent Situation With Colorado Board Of Education Proves Old Saying
I think this may be a good time to reflect on a rather potent phrase that the late, great House Speaker Tip O’Neill used to say: “All politics is local.”
6
Democracy Returns To Detroit…Or Does It?
On Thursday evening, September 25, democracy was permitted to return to Detroit when City Council members voted unanimously to restore full power to the city’s elected leaders.
9
Gov. Rick Snyder Might Lose In Michigan? Not Exactly a Shocker
There are those who find themselves surprised that Democratic challenger Mark Schauer now finds himself with a slim lead over sitting Gov. Rick Snyder in the contest over who will lead Michigan forward for the next term. I’m not one of those people.
30
Daddy Cruz, The Self-Appointed Educator-in-Chief For The American Negro
Yep, I’d say the best way for Republicans to encourage more black folks to vote their way in November is to tell them how much they don’t know about American history and American racism. That is what Ted Cruz’s dad did not too long ago.
3
Ferguson Is Taking Us Back To The Future
Far too many of the images that we have all seen countless times by now of the atrocity that took place – and continues to take place – in Ferguson, Missouri, are images not at all unfamiliar to African American communities. Black mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and neighbors enraged and in mourning due to Senseless Killing of Black Man Number However-High-You-Can-Count.
2
A Detroit Retrospective; Water Is Life – And Death – And Other Issues
After the keynote by Senator Elizabeth Warren, many NN14 attendees prepared to join the over 1,000 protestors at the Detroit Water Rally held outside the Cobo Convention Center at noon.
10
Netroots 2014, A Detroit Retrospective: MI GOP Governor Rick Snyder Could Lose To Democrat
Saturday, July 19, Day Three of NN14 began with keynote speeches by Democratic candidate for governor of Michigan Mark Schauer, and Michigan Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow (who is not up for election this year).
7
When We Fight We Win! Detroit Wins Major Victory In Water Battle
It just goes to show you that sometimes when you fight for what’s right, and you fight hard, then good things begin to happen. In Detroit, there is no more important fight right now than the fight to prevent water shutoffs to poor and working families struggling to get by in a vicious and unforgiving economy.
7
Fractured Republicans Working Harder For Hillary 2016 Than Democrats
If Republicans keep this up, Democrats won’t have to work hard to elect Hillary Clinton in 2016.
8
Dems Better Say It Loud; We Support Obamacare And We’re Proud
Obamacare is a winner for Democrats. It’s the biggest winner any true Democrat campaigning for office in 2014 could possibly hope for.
3
Same-Sex Marriage Delayed In Michigan. But It’s Coming
- Uncategorized
How can a couple be both legally married and yet legally denied the benefits that legally married folks are supposed to get?
1
Arizona’s Anti-Gay Legislation Is Anti-Human Rights
No state should have the ability to even present such legislation, and no governor should be given the opportunity to give such offensive legislation any consideration whatsoever.
19
Why Cory Booker (Thinks He) Knows Better Than Obama Regarding Iran Deal
Certainly there are those who have admired Sen. Cory Booker from afar who are now somewhat flummoxed at his decision not to support President Barack Obama’s historic deal with Iran.
193
History Be Damned. Fox News’ Megyn Kelly Says Jesus Was White
Fox News’ Megyn Kelly pointed out that not only is Santa Claus white, but that Jesus was too. Apparently, she is unaware of where Jesus came from or what the Bible says.
5
Nelson Mandela Showed the World What It Takes to Forgive and Move Forward
If there was ever a man who had justifiable reason to hate, it was Nelson Mandela. He chose not to hate.
3
Detroit Bankruptcy Inevitable; The Road Taken To Bankruptcy Inexcusable
It’s hardly a surprise that U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes declared on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2013, that Detroit is eligible for bankruptcy.
26
Obamacare Website Woes Amplified By Active Republican Hatred
In case you hadn’t already heard, it appears that some of the problems with the Obamacare website aren’t exactly due to that incompetence thing that Bob Woodward likes to pin on the Obama administration.
15
Beware the Bitter Bumpkins of North Colorado
If the story of five Colorado counties located on the northern edge of the state that actually voted to secede from Colorado wasn’t so pathetic it might actually qualify as perversely amusing.
6
White Guy Wins Campaign for Mayor in Detroit. But That’s Not Really the Story
Judging by some of the recent headlines it appears that the big election day story coming out of Detroit is that Detroiters elected a white guy for mayor for the first time in more than 40 years.
7
Detroit’s Kwame Kilpatrick Ruined Kwame Kilpatrick
Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years for essentially running the city as his own personal piggy bank and playpen.
3
High level talks on Detroit’s future ignore Detroit’s elected leaders
The Obama administration is making it clear every way they possibly can that they are willing to do whatever they can to help Detroit weather this crisis – except to offer a bailout.
18
Where Were You When They Stole Detroit’s Democracy?
If it happens here, it certainly won’t end here. The threat to Detroit’s democracy is a threat to everyone who values their right to vote.
14
Al Jazeera America Fails to Deliver on Fox News’ Paranoia
It’s been a few days since Current TV became Al Jazeera news, and so far no reports of an intifada or domestic terrorist attack
34
Detroit is Paying Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr a Quarter Million to File for Bankruptcy
Detroit didn’t need to pay Gov. Snyder appointed EM Kevyn Orr all this money to file bankruptcy.
59
Hear That, George Zimmerman? That’s Justice Catching Up to You
But it won’t be an angry mob with a rope coming for George Zimmerman. Justice for Trayvon will be coming from the Justice Department.
2
Gov Rick Snyder Continues to Dismantle Detroit’s Democracy Brick by Brick
Detroit’s democracy is being dismantled brick by brick and the people are being muzzled, perhaps in order to force them out of their neighborhoods so the elite can take over.
7
The Battle for 2014 Begins Today
Next year is the year we cannot afford to lose come November, because if we do then it’s hard to calculate the extent of the damage coming our way.
16
This Is What Happens When Common Sense Invades the Republican Party
Being found in possession of even a sliver of conscience and an ounce of common sense is proving to be a serious liability for certain Republican leaders.
8
Michigan’s Education Achievement Authority Lights the Way Toward Abolishing Public Education
Michigan Gov. Snyder’s Education Achievement Authority has been created for the sole purpose of establishing a workable model demonstrating how to destroy the nation’s public education system.
20
Farrakhan And His Plan for Detroit’s Resurrection
We’ve tried the ‘responsible’ approach. Now may be the time to reach back to Detroit’s roots and go all-in for the radical.
6
Detroit’s Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr Still Shouldn’t Be There
The problem remains that Detroiters are being ignored and held hostage by their own Governor Snyder, who flagrantly violated their voting rights.
2
Arne Duncan, Secretary of Misinformation and Miseducation
Who should we see sitting next to Secretary Duncan, joyfully reading stories to suitably enraptured Detroit school children but Gov. Rick Snyder.
9
Tears of Joy as Emergency Manager Is Leaving Detroit Public Schools
The Detroit Public Schools emergency manager has announced his all-too-welcome decision to GTFO and step down in a couple weeks.
8
Republicans, Need a Minority To Love? Try President Obama
Obama’s best line was when he suggested that if the Republicans were sincere about their new outreach efforts to attract minorities, they might want to do a test run by reaching out to the President.
1
20 Dead Children Are Not Enough to Keep Republicans from Filibustering
The fact that polls show the vast majority of Americans want stronger gun laws means absolutely nothing to Republicans, because citizens don’t affect their cash reserves.
9
Gov. Snyder’s Emergency Manager Law May Violate Equal Protection Rights
The clock is ticking, and Detroit’s new Emergency Manager is listening. June 23 is the 50th anniversary of the date when Dr. Martin Luther King gave his first ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in Detroit.
18
Detroit’s Emergency Manager Is Just As Guilty As the Crook Who Hired Him
Rick Snyder’s intention all along has been to hijack democracy in Michigan – and Detroit in particular – and now he officially accomplished exactly that.
6
Mayor Dave Bing Says Detroit May as Well Get Used to Being Screwed
According to Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, When in doubt and your opponent appears threatening, spread those cheeks and smile until it hurts.
18
Democracy Thief Rick Snyder is Struggling to Find an Emergency Manager for Detroit
It seems Gov. Rick Snyder is having a bit of difficulty finding anyone who wants the job of becoming the emergency manager for Detroit.
1
Like Most Cockroaches, Ted Nugent is Still Here
Ted Nugent said that if Barack Obama was re-elected and Mitt Romney did not prevail, then he would either be in jail or dead around this time. But Nugent, like most cockroaches, is still here.
5
Immigration reform requires Republican reform
Bitter old white male that he is, even John McCain knows immigration reform is not an option. You can either try and grow more fingers to plug up the cracks in the dike or you can learn how to swim
8
The fight to prevent hostile takeovers of public education goes national
The fight to save public education and retain local control of those schools against hostile takeover attempts has now attracted nationwide attention.
2
Guns don’t kill people. People with guns kill people. A whole lot of people.
Guns do not kill people. People armed with guns kill people. And people armed with assault rifles have the capability of killing a whole bunch of people in a matter of minutes.
18
Michigan Shows Us How Republicans Plan to Get Revenge for 2012 Loss
if you want to get an idea of what is written in the post Election 2012 Koch Brothers Playbook (aka ‘How YOU Can Still Strangle Blue States in the Crib’), then you need look no further than Michigan.
26
If this is war in Michigan, then we had better win
Republicans are using Michigan as a grand experiment to see if they can get away with setting fire to democracy in plain sight. They want to see if revenge bears fruit in winter.
24
You live in Michigan? Your rights are optional
If you want to get an idea of what Republican revenge for President Obama’s victory in 2012 looks like, look no further than Michigan.
16
Will the True Patriots Please Step Forward
I’m beginning to think it’s time for an entirely new definition of patriotism
10
Michigan Demands Democracy by Rejecting Emergency Manager Legislation
It was a great day for the nation when President Barack Obama was re-elected to a second term in office, and it was also a good day in Michigan when voters cast their ballots to reject Proposal 1.
6
What was it you were saying about that 1st presidential debate..?
The panic of some of the left after the first debate has eased into the realization that President Obama is in a good position to win a second term.
21
Mitt lied about Jeep because he has to lie. The truth would sink his campaign.
Romney is lying because Romney has to lie. It’s the best card he has to play in a stacked deck, betting on the ignorance and short term memory of the electorate.
7
Time to Talk Race, the GOP Elephant in Campaign 2012
The one discussion that has not been receiving quite as much focused attention is the race – and racism – factor in this campaign.
12
Unspinning the Myth that Mitt Romney is a Nice But Misinformed Guy
The portrayal of Romney as a well-meaning guy who’s just misguided, misinformed, and in over his head needs to come to an end.
16
Mitt Romney asks, ‘Why Don’t the Brothers Love Me?’
Thanks to the margin of error in polling, the rather surreal scenario suggests that the actual number of black folks who do not want Romney to be president is less than zero.
5
Detroit Public Schools Emergency Manager Thumbs his Nose at Court Ruling
Republican Governor Rick Snyder and his henchmen continue to do all they can to thwart the will of the people by forcing PA4 (the Emergency Manager law) down their throats.
3
Joe Biden Shows why Obama (and America) Still Need Him
The president still needs Joe Biden because has that same sort of everyman charm that Obama has never been able to pull off very well but that was Bill Clinton’s specialty.
5
Michigan’s Gov. Snyder says voter suppression strategy is repugnant even to him
Gov. Snyder isn’t yet receiving the off-with-his-independent-head kinda threats received by John Roberts after he also made the mistake of deciding to do the right thing rather than the easy thing
24
Catholic nuns get on the bus to get out the word, but not the word Rome wants…
When the nuns are pissed off enough to become revolutionaries, you know we’re in for a serious fight folks.
6
Why Michigan Is Not the Next Wisconsin
Rick Snyder is not Scott Walker. Both of them are repulsive in their own right, and each of their states would be considerably better off with them gone, but there are some significant differences.
6
The Mitt Romney Ken Doll Interview Strategy: Look Good, Say Nothing
A Ken doll could give more substantive answers to questions, but then maybe that’s Mitt Romney’s intent.
18
Republicans Label Obama a Metrosexual, Black Abe Lincoln
A GOP Super PAC had a genius plan to destroy Obama by connecting him (again) to his once-upon-a-time pastor Jeremiah Wright and accusing him of being a metrosexual, black Abe Lincoln.
4
Coming to a Hospital Near You: Bedside Bill Collectors
Some hospitals are now essentially hiring some of Tony Soprano’s relatives and associates to come pay you a bedside visit and, you know, offer ‘words of encouragement.’ to pay your bill.
7
Rick Snyder Attempts to Kill Democracy in Michigan via Fontgate
Republicans decided that the people of Michigan should not be allowed to vote on the Emergency Manager law because the size of the font on the petition. Seriously.
6
Board of State Canvassers Deadlocks on Michigan’s Emergency Manager Law
Despite scoring a recent major victory, opponents of Michigan’s Emergency Manager law had their efforts to get a repeal measure on the ballot blocked by Republicans on the Board of State Canvassers.
5
If Romney Wins, Detroit is a Warning of What’s in Store for Everyone Else
If Romney wins in November, urban communities around the country will be forced into dependency by hateful Republicans. If Obama loses, Detroit is a preview of things to come.
4
The Long, Long, Long Road to Justice for Trayvon Martin
George Zimmerman has been arrested, but what happens when the next similar miscarriage of justice occurs? Or to the one that’s occurring right now that none of us have heard of and aren’t likely to?
9
Unions Fight Back with Largest Political Mobilization Ever For Obama
Trumka’s decision to throw the full force of the nation’s largest union behind Obama will go a long way toward providing the margin of victory that Obama and the other Democratic 2012 contenders will need to get the job done.
4
Be Afraid Of Michigan, Mitt, Be Very Afraid
If Mitt has to spend millions to beat Santorum in Michigan, what do you figure it’s gonna take to beat President Barack Obama?
17
Republicans Face A Do Or Die Decision If Obama Wins A Second Term
If Obama wins reelection the GOP will have a choice, either snatch back the reins from the inmates or prepare to spend a long time viewing America from behind the walls of the asylum.