Laughing at Beck

There are few media personalities who I find to be as irritating as Fox TV host Glenn Beck. From his rescinded assertion that President Obama is a racist, to his gratuitous attack on former White House Advisor Van Jones, Beck has proven to be as vile as he is clueless. However, needless to say, it is individuals like him who often make the best punch lines for jokes.

Last night MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann highlighted a segment from Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show”, in which comedian Lewis Black commented on Beck’s nerve, to say that it’s ridiculous for opponents of Arizona’s new immigration law to compare its passage with early tactics of Nazi Germany. Now, actually, on this issue, I partially agree with Beck. Although, I understand where opponents are coming from, by trying to show how this law discriminates and can lead to a mass violation of human rights. However, it’s not the message, but it’s the messenger, that both Black and I find absurd. Glenn Beck, who is a conspiracist of conspiracist, and who claims that every act of the current administration is a move towards socialism and the radicalization of America, how can he dare say anything about anyone who does nothing more than what he does on a frequent basis? Time and time again, Beck has compared the President, leaders, and organizations on the left, with the rule of Nazi Germany. Lewis Black is phenomenal is pointing this out and in showing how Beck is hypocritical to say the least.

Watch the video. I found it to be hilarious. Coming up after the jump!

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Jabari Paul

BP Spells Big Problems

If a picture says a thousand words, then a video must say a million. This latest Gulf of Mexico fiasco may spell big problems for President Obama by the end of his first term. When certain media and rightwing pundits first begin criticizing the President and comparing his response to the oil spill in the gulf, with that of President Bush’s to Katrina, I dismissed it as mere politics. However, as the oil spill becomes increasingly more devastating by the day, I am starting to believe that this may very well be Obama’s dark cloud that looms over him, throughout the remainder of his first term in office.

This is a stark presumption, I know, but it’s one that I conceded to only after hearing Purdue Professor Steve Wereley reveal a more damning estimate on the amount of oil that he believes is spewing into the gulf each day. Using a technique called particle image velocimetry, Wereley and other scientific minds have been able to analyze a tape that BP released on Tuesday, and calculated, what they claim is a more precise projection of oil leaked in the gulf per day. Initially, the US Coast Guard had estimated that the compromised rig was leaking up to 5,000 barrels per day, but estimates using the aforementioned practice upped that number to around 70,000 barrels, and that’s modestly speaking. This is a startling realization if it is true, and more than likely it is, being that the scientist say that this technique has a 99% rate of accuracy (when conducted properly).

Obama, oh boy, I foresee many forthcoming problems on your hand. While some may argue that the President has done his best to manage the situation. I respond by saying that sometimes a little more than our best is required. I mean, why in heavens name is the federal government still allowing BP to call the shots, when it comes to this oil spill? It makes no sense. Yes, I agree that this conglomerate should be made to clean up their own mess, but since they’re clearly not capable of doing so in a timely manner, I for one believe that our government should act with all deliberate speed to use whatever resources we can to resolve the problem, and that we should just stick BP with the bill at the end of the day. I’m sure that a company that profited a little more than two and half billion dollars in recent quarters can pick up the tab, and that they can definitely do more than what’s being asked of them to do now.

Check out the disturbing video after the jump!

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Jabari Paul

Drop It on Him Chaka! Biko, This One’s For You

Ladies and gents, coming to the stage in a moment, we have Mr. Robert “Biko” Baker, Executive Director of the League of Young Voters Education Fund. He is young; he is fresh, and he represents “we the people” like no one else.  But to do him justice, we’re going to have Miss Diva extraordinaire, Chaka Khan to bring him up with a song befitting of his soon-to-be presence in Hollywood, FL.  For on May 28^th, Mr. Baker will join leaders from across the country, to discuss issues that are affecting minority and underserved communities.

We anticipate this being a one in a lifetime performance, with the stage being set for him to speak about the League and civic engagement. If you’re not already seated and geared up for the show, I advise you to do so quickly. Tickets are hot, time is near, and space is limited. When you are ready for the musical prelude, click the clip below, and before we draw the curtains let me thank the host of this event, the NAACP.

Posted by:

Jabari Paul

I’m a fan but. . .

If you recall during the 2008 Presidential Campaign, while Democrats were chanting “Yes We Can,” Republicans were chanting “Drill Baby Drill.” On June 20th, 2008 this initially prompted Candidate Obama to give a speech in Jacksonville, FL proclaiming “When I am President, I intend to keep in place the moratorium here in Florida and around the country that prevents oil companies from drilling off Florida’s coasts.” A short time later when the Energy Reform Act came before Congress for debate,  Candidate Obama changed his position to say that he was open to offshore drilling, in an effort to compromise and reach an agreement with Republicans. Fast forward two years later; on March 31st of this year,  President Obama announced that his administration was expanding oil and natural gas drilling off Florida’s and other coastlines. Now, less than a month later we have complete devastation off US boarders in the Gulf of Mexico. A BP Oil Rig exploded, resulting in human fatality and one of the largest oil spills off US coastlines in our nation’s history. Mr. President you said that with new technology our coasts would be safe in terms of offshore drilling. It’s reported that this was one of BP’s newest rigs. I’m a fan of your policies Mr. President, but next time maybe you should think twice before compromising your position to try to please others.

Posted by:

Jabari Paul

No Garnish

Posted by:

Jabari Paul