Dear friends,

It's time to hold the Republican Party accountable.

You've probably heard about Tea Party members shouting "Nigger!" at Black Congressmen during a protest in Washington, D.C. last weekend. One of the protesters spat on Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, while another called openly gay Representative Barney Frank a "faggot" as the laughing crowd imitated his lisp.1

But Saturday was just the most recent example of the intolerance and hate coming from right-wing extremists this past year. At times it's been instigated by Republican leaders. When not, it's usually condoned and seen as part of a strategy to score politically. Either way, it's completely unacceptable and has to stop.

It's time to confront Republican leadership and force them to take responsibility for the atmosphere they've helped create. Please join me in signing ColorOfChange's petition confronting Republican leaders about hate and fear-mongering in their party, and ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://colorofchange.org/hate/?id=2545-50503

We're calling on RNC Chair Michael Steele, House Minority Leader John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to publicly do two simple things:

- Unequivocally condemn bigotry and hate among their supporters, and make clear that those who embrace it have no place in their party.

- Make clear that they will not tolerate fear-mongering and coded appeals to racism from officials in the Republican party, at any level.

Republican leaders publicly denounced Saturday's ugly scene, but they failed to acknowledge that this is only the latest incident in a pattern of violent rhetoric, racially charged imagery, and paranoid conspiracy theories at Tea Party rallies.2 Many Tea Partiers aren't simply about dissent -- they use fear and hatred to assault the very legitimacy of our elected leaders. It's the worst America has to offer. Despite this, Republican leaders court the Tea Party movement while methodically supporting, exacerbating and exploiting their fear and anger for cynical political ends.3 This is nothing less than a betrayal of American values, and it's up to us to force the Republicans to stop aiding and abetting this enterprise:

http://colorofchange.org/hate/?id=2545-50503

The Tea Party movement has been marked by racially inflammatory and violent outbursts since its inception a year ago. GOP leaders are trying to pass off this weekend's assaults on Congressmen Lewis, Cleaver, Clyburn and Frank as isolated incidents. But when so-called "isolated incidents" crop up again and again, a pattern starts to emerge. The examples are numerous.

At rallies held to protest tax day last year, Tea Partiers carried signs that announced "Obama's Plan: White Slavery," "The American Taxpayers are the Jews for Obama's Oven," and "Guns Tomorrow!"4 The Republican National Committee had endorsed the rallies, and RNC Chairman Michael Steele encouraged Tea Partiers to send a "virtual tea bag" to President Obama and Democratic Congressional leadership.5 After reports of the fear-mongering signs surfaced, Steele did nothing to distance his party from the lunatic fringe. He has even gone so far as to say that if he didn't have his current position, he'd be "out there with the tea partiers."6

The Tea Party's venomous rhetoric picked up steam over the summer, when angry mobs flooded town hall meetings legislators had organized as sites for rational, civil debate on health care reform. After one meeting in Atlanta, a swastika was painted on the office of Congressman David Scott (D-GA), who had also received a flier addressed to "nigga David Scott"7 Some protesters showed up at town hall meetings carrying guns, including at least one man who was armed at an event where the President was speaking.8 Again, Republicans responded to these tactics with silence, doing nothing to denounce them.

Our country deserves better than this. No matter what party one supports, we should all take strong action to support civil, honest, and respectful public debate. Please join me in calling on Republican leaders to denounce racist rhetoric and fear-mongering, and reject it from their party. And when you do, please ask your family and friends to do the same:

http://colorofchange.org/hate/?id=2545-50503

Thanks.

References

1. http://huff.to/atRmru
2. http://huff.to/9Sgf3S
3. http://huff.to/c4ZOH4
4. See Reference 2
5. http://huff.to/3nzZE
6. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31177.html
7. http://bit.ly/8YInIb
8. http://bit.ly/LV1wb


x-posted to betherevolution

Please, go check it out:


http://narniarose.livejournal.com/63920.html

Hey everyone. I got this link from a friend to an LJ entry of a friend of hers. If you could, would you visit? Maybe help out a little if you can? It goes to a very good cause, and you have the chance to make a serious difference here. Just one dollar can help a lot, so if you have that to spare, maybe you can make one family's dream come true.


http://blackperson.livejournal.com/207448.html


Spread the word if you will. Thanks.

Hi!

Do any of you like Kawaii stuff? You know, that cute, adorable stuff that I just recently found out about and am probably going to get pulled into because of the cute factor at some point soon?

Want a source for buying some cute Kawaii things? Well, how about a Livejournal shop just for that purpose!?

If any of you on my friends list are Kawaii fans, I urge you to visit itsmelbabe. She's got some really cute things, and the prices are right. Give it a look and see if there's anything you like! You'd be doing me a favour by supporting a friend of mine, and you'd get some really great stuff!

Thanks!

And here she thought I was just being nice when I gave her the sucker.

( BEHOLD! BECKY! )

"We just learned that the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeals has granted a writ filed by Mychel Bell’s legal team which vacates his conviction. The details are still sketchy, but it seems likely that Mychal will be able to bond out and return to the free world. I assure you that events like this only happen when the court of public opinion trumps the court of law. Friends of Justice is overjoyed for Mychal, his family, the other Jena 6 defendants and all the people who have worked so hard over the past nine months. We will have updates on this story as they become available."


Big step for justice! Woo!

I'm a couple or so days behind on this news, due to nursing a cold and sore throat, but I have to put it up for those of you who are wanting news on the Jena 6.

Mychal Bell went before a judge recently, who agreed that the entire case was mishandled. He stated that Mychal never should've been tried in adult court, and he took off the conspiracy conviction. This takes the possible sentence to 15 years instead of 22 (still not acceptable, but a start). It's one step toward getting Mychal real justice, so let's hope there are further ones. His sentencing hearing is still September 20 so far as I see, and I soooooooooooooo wish I could be there for the protest. Ah well.

Oh, and two of the others had their charges reduced from attempted murder to aggravated assault as well, just like Mychal, so there's a step for them. But they all have competent legal council now, so hopes are rising for justice to be done. The more word gets out, and several college/university campuses have held protests and demonstrations, the better, so keep passing it on if you can. Tis of great importance, after all.

::hugs to all!::

Okay. This is an important entry, and I hope you all read it and consider the favour I'm going to ask.

Most of you know that my newest cause has to do with the Jena 6 in Louisiana. Those of you newest to my friends list might be a little lost, but if you want to know more, please ask. Suffice it to say that there is a travesty of justice taking place in Louisiana, based deeply in racism against six young men whose freedom hangs in the balance, all because of the colour of their skin.

One of these, Mychal Bell, has been convicted of aggravated assault for a schoolyard fight, and faces many years in prison, His sentencing is September 20 (my birthday, ironically enough). Well, this young man, who is 18 now, I believe, needs to feel support from people.

I received an address at which to write him as he waits in jail for the time to come when he'll find out what his future holds. I got this from ColorofChange.org, who asks that people send letters of support to him. He needs to feel this, and I think it will help him to know that so many people stand behind him and really care about what's happening to him. I just wrote a letter to him, and I'm asking that as many of you who can do the same. My heart goes out to him, and I would like to see him get as many letters/postcards/cards with words of support on them as possible. Even if it's only a short note that says something like "I'm behind you all the way," it will help. Maybe it'll bring a smile to his face. I'm sure smiles are few and far between with him these days.

So write to him if you can. Tell him that you care. Let's show him that we can all stand together against injustice and are there for him, if only in spirit.

Write to him here:

Mychal Bell
Inmate, A-Dorm
LaSalle Correctional Center
15976 Highway 165
Olla, LA 71465-4801

If you can do this, great, and thank you very much. It's important to me that I can do even a little part to help.


Cross-posted to betherevolution

Latest update I got from Friends for Justice on the Jena 6.

( Need a little faith restored in your fellow man? Follow me )