METAPHORS FROM OFF THE WIRE 2

As I've mentioned before in The Bastille, "Many metaphors for life can be found in the critically acclaimed HBO drama, "The Wire". The following situation is no different.

As of Friday, August 8th, in accordance with the global peace being spread all over Beijing, China at the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics, Russia stampeded into the little country of Georgia (a former member of the Soviet Union). Georgia is a small democracy of 4.4 million people, that is a member of the U.N. and the infamous Coalition Of The Willing (COTW), that's helping the US in it's daily destruction of Iraq, for reasons still unknown. Since, there has been a cease fire by Russia and less than 24 hours later, a subsequent UN-cease fire, so Russia is backing to kicking ass. I liken Georgia to Bodie, the loyal middle middle management drug dealer in the Barksdale drug crew. President George "Chucklepuss" Bush and the U.S. represent the long respected Barksdale crew, who is steadily losing it's reputation in the streets to new crews, like the deadly Marlo Stansfield's crew, who is the new bigger and better, Russia.

Now as a member of the COTW, Georgia was protecting the Iraq border from those rabble-rousers in Iran, like Bodie holding down a Baltimore corner for the Barksdale crew. Georgia only left their post, to return to Georgia and protect their homeland. So if Iran wanted (the country to, whom Chucklepuss keeps saber-rattling) they could roll on Iraq with reckless abandon. Georgia moved into the world of democracy and aligned themselves with the United States and President Chucklepuss, who seduced the Georgians with the promise of a strong ally and protection from neighboring countries that may decide to go apesh** on them for no apparent reason at any time(see Russia 2008). In any other case, I would now expect the U.S. to be running into Russia guns-a-blazing, but supposedly we can't do that now, because Georgia is not a part of NATO. I don't know, haven't we been in a war with Iraq since 2003? And we didn't have any regards for the U.N. then. As a matter of fact, the Bush Crime fami-- I mean administration had no regards for the US Constitution or the UN, when we went into Iraq to find 9/11 perpetrator, Saddam Hussein (see Osama Bin Laden still at large). Suddenly we are supposed to believe that Chucklepuss has regards for rules. I think not. Now Georgia has staunchly played by the rules is now looking for their protection, particularly from Chucklepuss, who can now only give Russia a stern talking about large countries bullying little ones (where have I heard that one before? I think you know). Now don't get me wrong, I don't want to go into Russia, but right is right, if we are the so-called poster children for democracy and prepared to stop tyranny across the planet(then again if that were so, we'd be in the Sudan stopping that genocide). Georgia now feels helpless-- helpless as Bodie did, when Stringer Bell couldn't give him any more muscle to hold down their corners and sell weak ass product, despite the increasing heat from Marlo Stanfield's crew. Stansfield's crew were the new kids on the block, who took advantage of this chinc in the Barksdale armor, by having no regards for the history, rules or codes of the street. Watch the clip up top and recall Bodie's last stand for Avon Barksdale, for it may be a harbinger of Georgia's near future.

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HEAVEN IS A WHOLE LOT FUNKIER TOO

Just a day after we lost the talent that was Bernie Mac, we lost musician, soul pioneer, actor and legend, Isaac Hayes. As I said, with Bernie Mac, at this point you know the cause of death and the resume of Hayes. I just ask you to view this 1973 live version of Hayes singing Burt Bacharach's, "The Look of Love". He was much more than the theme from "Shaft", though I can't deny it still stands tall today on radio playlists. So, chain vest and all, please enjoy the voice and musicianship of the man they called Black Moses AKA Chef, performing LIVE in concert (there is no pre-recorded backing tape).

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HEAVEN IS A WHOLE LOT FUNNIER

A true talent died this past weekend and his name was Bernie Macullough AKA The MACMAN. You knew him by his stage name Bernie Mac. This man truly paid his dues for many years on the roads and in the comedy clubs. In recent years his talent was recognized has been able to enjoy the fame and lifestyle that a talent like his truly deserved. I will not go through the usual cause of death and resume rundown. I will just ask you to watch the set on Def Comedy Jam that put him into the conscious of Black America and the rest as they say, is history.

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NATURAL BORN KILLER

Journey with me/Into the mind of a maniac/Doomed to be a killer/Since I came out the nutsac/I'm in a murderous mindsate With a heart full of terror/ I see the devil in the mirror/BUCK BUCK, Lights out Cause when I get my sawed off/ Niggaz get hauled off
Dr. Dre's lyrics from "Natural Born Killaz"

President Bush could have commuted the death sentence of Ronald A. Gray, a former Army cook convicted of multiple rapes and murders. But Bush decided Monday that Gray's crimes were so repugnant that execution was the only just punishment. Bush's decision marked the first time in 51 years that a president has affirmed a death sentence for a member of the U.S. military. It was the first time in 46 years that such a decision has even been weighed in the Oval Office.

Gray, 42, was convicted in connection with a spree of four murders and eight rapes in the Fayetteville, N.C., area between April 1986 and January 1987 while he was stationed at Fort Bragg. He has been on death row at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., since April 1988."While approving a sentence of death for a member of our armed services is a serious and difficult decision for a commander in chief, the president believes the facts of this case leave no doubt that the sentence is just and warranted," White House press secretary Dana Perino said. "The president's thoughts and prayers are with the victims of these heinous crimes and their families and all others affected," she said.

President Kennedy was the last president to stare down this life-or-death decision. On Feb. 12, 1962, Kennedy commuted the death sentence of Jimmie Henderson, a Navy seaman, to confinement for life. President Eisenhower was the last president to approve a military execution. In 1957, he approved the execution of John Bennett, an Army private convicted of raping and attempting to kill an 11-year-old Austrian girl. He was hanged in 1961.Under current military rules, such executions would be carried out by lethal injection. Gray was held responsible for the crimes he committed in both the civilian and military justice systems.

In civilian courts in North Carolina, Gray pleaded guilty to two murders and five rapes and was sentenced to three consecutive and five concurrent life terms. He then was tried by general court-martial at the Army's Fort Bragg. There he was convicted in April 1988 and unanimously sentenced to death.

The court-martial panel convicted Gray of:

*Raping and killing Army Pvt. Laura Lee Vickery-Clay of Fayetteville on Dec. 15, 1986. She was shot four times with a .22-caliber pistol that Gray confessed to stealing. She suffered blunt force trauma over much of her body.

*Raping and killing Kimberly Ann Ruggles, a civilian cab driver in Fayetteville. She was bound, gagged and stabbed repeatedly, and had bruises and lacerations on her face. Her body was found on the base.

*Raping, robbing and attempting to kill an army private in her barracks at Fort Bragg on Jan. 3, 1987. She testified against Gray during the court-martial and identified him as her assailant. Gray raped her and stabbed her several times in the neck and side. The victim suffered a laceration of the trachea and a collapsed or punctured lung.

As a true opponent of the death penalty, let me be the first to say, "This negro deserved to die." What he did was heinous and I could care less about him. But having said that, I can't help but look at that person, who handed down this execution order.... George "Chucklepuss" Bush AKA The Texas Executioner. I am floored by the so-called Man of God, who hands out death like a dirty old man, handing candy out at a playground. Chucklepuss is known for holding the national record for handing down the most executions, while Governor of Texas, with a total of 113... yes you read that correctly, 1-1-3. Just hours before Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, Chucklepuss assured the authorities of the Gulf Coast region that the United States government, would be there for them. There were a total of 1,836 deaths due to the flooding of the city because of the levee breach, which, if it had been maintained properly, by the U.S. Government, may have never happened. Today as of August 2008, the Iraq war has produced, since Chuckles', infamous MISSION ACCOMPLISHED declaration, 3986 deaths and since the actaul "war" began on March 19th, 2003 it has a total of 4,125 and no telling how many we could count with Iraqi civillians. But for now let's just be selfish pricks and count American deaths. So as of today, July 31st, 2008, between the never-ending Iraqi War, Hurricane Katrina and Chucklepuss' time in Texas, Chucklepuss has placed the blood of 6,074 people on his hands. No priest would hear that confession. And now no one-- especially that sell out, Nancy "Scared to Impeach" Pelosi, won't even lift a finger to attempt and prosecute him for war crimes. Up top I have a video from Vincent Bugliosi, the man, who prosecuted, Charles Manson has written a book, titled, "The Prosecution of George W. Bush of Murder". Vincent's words are quite interesting. Give it a watch. Now I ask, you, who is the real killer?

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DEEZIE GETS HER NEO-CON ON

Secretary of State, Condoleeza "Deezie" Rice is, back in the news from shoe shopping and getting her Republican on. In an effort to impress President Chucklepuss and the Republican party, she issued the following mandate the night before presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama left for a tour of US bases overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq and Western Europe: All US missions are forbidden from holding events for presidential candidates or arrange meetings for them. (i.e., don't help that ni**er, Barack in any way)

How ironic? There are only two nominees left in the U.S. Presidential race and she sticks it to Barack Obama. Deezie issued no such mandates during previous trips made by presumptive Republican nominee John "Grampa Simpson" McCain. You'd think that Deezie would have issued this while there were a few more candidates in the race, so it wouldn't be so transparent. But she does this right after Grampa raises living hell about Obama not visiting the Middle East. McCain's campaign made such a fuss, they even kept a public count on how many days it had been since he visited. I guess Deezie wasn't so proud of the first African American becoming a U.S. presidential nominee, as she has stated after Hilary conceded. I totally understand loyalty, but loyalty is something that occurs, when it is reciprocated. I find it amazing that, Deezie, one of those most invisible Secretary of State's in U.S. history, will still do for the administration that has basically "castrated" her power from day one and used her as nothing but a token. Deezie, I hope that your allegiance is rewarded with a well paying, society destroying job in the private sector (like so many other Neo-cons) after this administration is over. If not, with a name like Condoleeza, there's always a hot comb at some hair salon with your name on it. So to you, I say, "Press on, 'guuuurlfriend".

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DOES ANYTHING HAVE TO BE SAID?

Like I said a few days ago, I understand satire, but you can't give people that much credit for intelligence, as displayed by this asshole, so-called clothes designer.

A 25-year-old New York City graduate student is threatening to sue a T-Shirt designer after being assaulted for wearing one of his designs.

The woman bought a $69 shirt from Apollo Braun's Manhattan boutique that bore the words, "Obama is my slave." When she wore the shirt on Tuesday, four teenage girls accosted her - shoving her, pulling out her earphones, and spitting in her face, according to the New York edition of Metro News.

The unnamed woman is reportedly seeking solace by suing Braun - born Doron Braunshtein - for "all he's got," the designer claims. He, of course, is shirking any responsibility for the incident and says that the shirt reflects the views of "ordinary WASPs."

“For a lot of people, when they see Obama, they see a slave. People think America is not ready for a black president,” the Israeli-born designer said.

“I can’t stand Obama,” Braun says, but claims that it's not because the candidate is black. “That’s the only thing I like about him. He opens the door for other minorities.”

“He reminds me of Adolf Hitler,” Braun explained, adding he does not like the Illinois senator because “he is a Muslim” — a myth that Obama apparently cannot escape.

The designer has sold several other anti-Obama styles from his boutique, including shirts with slogans such as “Jews Against Obama,” “Obama = Hitler” and “Who Killed Obama?”

This is what I mean, people need to think about the political climate we live in. I and many people can dismiss this ignorance, but there are those, who now believe their feelings and agendas are validated by acts like this. I can't give any more of this ignorance my attention.

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YOU SAY SATIRE, I SAY STUPID

SATIRE: A manner of writing that mixes a critical attitude with wit and humor in an effort to improve mankind and human institutions

That's what most defendants of the most recent New Yorker magazine cover that has Barack Obama dressed in traditional Muslim garb giving his wife, Michelle, dressed like civil rights activist, Angela Davis, with rifle, bandelero and fatigues, the 'terroist fist bump' (as it was said by the responsible reporters at FOX). The New Yorker's editor, David Remnick seemed shocked by the backlash. “Our cover … combines a number of fantastical images about the Obamas and shows them for the obvious distortions they are,” he said in a statement. I totally understand satire, because during the height of nastiness of the Democratic Primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama The New Yorker had a cover with the two candidates in bed at 3 AM (see photo), reaching for the phone. I am very surprised that tthere was no uproar about that cover.

I have no ill will towards, Mr. Remnick, I just believe that he wasn't thinking or he lives in a very insulated world, if he believes everyone would get the 'sly humor or satire' in the illustration, like the Central Park West crowd would. Mr. Remnick should have thought, that Senator Obama is the first black presidential nominee in U.S. history. And with the title comes a lot of extraneous and redundant questioning that usually comes from those white working class voters, who are usually resistant to the idea of a black president no matter how qualified he is. Mr. Remnick should have thought that those same voters would not look at this cover fairly and impartially and say, "My God, this illustration of obvious distortions is such a witty play on the conservative media's utterly ridiculous perception of the Obamas." No Mr. Remnick should have thought these voters are going to say, "I told you that nigger was a Muslim. And his rebellious wife gave him that secret handshake the terroists use to signal they're blowing up stuff tonight. I'm telling you can't trust him in office." An exaggeration you say, but this is also a country that voted George W. Bush into a second term (after a horrible first one), because "a wartime president needs to have the chance to complete the war he started (and look where that got us). In the over forty something elections for the Preseident of the United States not one nominee, except Barack Obama, has been steadily questioned about his religious creed and 'who he really is". We are four months away from this election and live in an instant information society. There is no God forsaken reason to not know the basics about Barack Obama. If a person says, "I don't know who he is", at this point, it's only code for 'I don't know if I can vote for a black person." I am not for censoring, but I am for thinking. If a mocking picture of John McCain as Father Time was on their cover-- oh wait, he is Father Time. M point is people can get over the mocking of age, most can see the absurdity and move on. But to mock Obama's loyalty to the country, which is what that traditional Muslim garb does and so does Michelle's AK-47. Not to mention the infamous 'fist bump', which in most black circles and neighborhoods is called 'giving each other a pound' as it was in the early ninties, when it started. But now due to conservative media ignorance and just plain old being late and corny, 'giving a pound has been turned into covert communication for Middle Eastern terrorists, who want their virgins now. Word to the wise and not so wise (see FOX channel), if you do not totally understand a cultural thing, do not comment on it,as though you do (again see FOX News).

No Mr. Remnick, I understand satire and I don't believe Barack is to be covered in teflon, but I expect you to not bet on the masses his country of being able to decipher things such as your cover without being spoonfed. No, I am not asking you to not be funny. No, I am not asking you to play into partisan politics. No, I am asking you to realize the politcal landscape for which we are on right now and not play into the ignorant voter's worst fears. Because those fears are flimsily, premised, in not the facts, but what some people want to believe. Now I think I'll go to the gym and scare all the white people, who live in fear.

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