Grand jury won't issue indictment in 1955 Till case

The Emmett Till case is probably the most famous example of not just Civil Rights injustice, but injustice in the U.S. court system in general. Jackson, Mississippi had this one last chance to redeem themselves, and they blew it.
The original all-white jury went out for sodas when they were supposed to be deliberating. The fact this first trial counted as anything is an absolute joke. The worst thing about this is that it is 2007 today, not 1955 anymore. Till's death may have "gave a jump-start to the civil rights movement", but our justice system seems to still be stalled.

PUBLISHED IN THE LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR WED. FEB. 29, 2007

Virginia legislators apologize for slavery

I'm sorry for the quality of this story and how late it is, but I needed to put this in.

There is nothing wrong with what the Virginia legislation is trying to express here, but they did not go about in in the right way at all. Yes, they are the only state as of yet to apologize for the role they had in slavery, and they should be comended for that. What is wrong with this is that the words "profound regret" for almost 250 years of opression come across as an "oops, we'll do better next time." Also, the fact they squeezed in an apology to the treatment of Native Americans (i.e. stealing an entire country) in with it.

The Virginia legislature hereby is awarded the "Understatement of the Week Award." Barring any other unforseen apologies like this, I think this can be awarded on a Monday. This award, of course, automatically puts them in the running for the "Understatement of the Year Award." Good luck, Virginia!



Ironically, it was a good thing I waited to post the first one. A sharp contrast to what Virginia will pass off as an apology, Brown Univeristy makes it seem like they actually, I don't know, want to make up for it and actually express "profound regret".

Political Cartoon of the Week

This is something I want to try and do every week. Contrary to most things on this site, The Political Cartoon of the Week is something I agree with. The criteria are as follows: Must be clever, must be well draw and well written, must be clear and concise, must intice a laugh, smile, smirk, giggle or thoughts and arguements, must be relevant.

I am glad somebody did a cartoon on this subject, I thought I was the only one noticing a pattern. This one is done by Neal Obermeyer, a cartoonist I like because of the incredible sense of irony in every cartoon. Well done Neal. If you keep doing what you're doing, this will not be your last award.

PUBLISHED IN THE READER, WEEK OF FEB. 22-28, 2007

Iran Expanding Nuclear Effort, Agency Reports

Sorry there are so many clips, but I had to put this one in. It's disturbing for two main reasons. The first is, I don't trust President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and farther than I can throw him. Second, I don't trust the Bush administration to not go to war over this. I am scared to death our country will attack Iran, yet it wouldn't surprise me at all. And that's the sad part.

If you read nothing else from this story, read this: "...if diplomacy fails, Mr. Bush could order a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities."

PUBLISHED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES FRI. FEB. 23, 2007

Senate Dems will try to repeal '02 war approval

Message to all Senate Democrats:
I appreciate the effort to recall your vote for the Iraq war, but by now it is far too little, far too late. I realize this is just a way to gain publicity and support for the 2008 elections and is in part a response to Hilary Clinton's war vote. But please, next time, either try this earlier or, I don't know, don't vote for a war like this in the first place.

PUBLISHED IN THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD FRI. FEB. 23, 2007

K-Fed cancels court session; Britney back in rehab?

There is one major thing wrong with this story (besides using TMZ, The Insider and Extra as sources). That is the fact it is all too obvious this whole rehab thing is another publicity stunt. If it wasn't for attention, she would, get this, go to rehab and stay there. Honestly, don't feel sorry for her, have pity for her children, who probably haven't seen their mother (at least not sober) for the last three months.

Speaking of feeling sorry for children, I truly do pity the daughter of a certain blonde in the news lately that will remain unnamed on such a reputable blog. The news about her has been sickening, people deserve to be buried in private, even though she would probably love all this attention, negative and positive. The only real issue I have with this anonymous "famous for being famous" celebrity is the fact she was pregnant and either on crack-cocaine or mushrooms. She deserves no attention at all, let her be buried in peace.

PUBLISHED IN THE LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR FRI. FEB. 23, 2007

Controversial AIDS practices in Africa

I had to read this over and over before I got over what I was reading. This is absolutely shocking, appalling and gut-wrenching. There is absolutely nothing lower than fake AIDS treatments. This literally makes me embarrassed to be part of the human race.

Notice President Yahya Jammeh requires the patients to stop taking their anti-retroviral drugs. This isn't just get-their-hopes-up low, this is watch-them-die low. I didn't know humanity had sunk like this.

PUBLISHED IN THE LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR WED. FEB. 21, 2007

Anti-terror stats reported incorrectly, audit finds

What's more unbelievable? The lies told to boost Homeland Security or how large this story was in the paper? An organization formed to protect this country is one big fraud. This is supposed to make us feel safe? Homeland Security was funded by overreactions and outright lies.

PUBLISHED IN THE LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR WED. FEB. 21, 2007