pul.se results for Pledge of Allegiance

antropologi.info - anthropology in the news blog

Lorenz — 2010-09-06 22:00:02 GMT

Make Peace. Photo: Danny Hammontree, flickr

“What if they gave a war and nobody came?” is a popular slogan from the antiwar-movement. But nowadays, when USA with their allies go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, people do come. Lots of people enlist in the military, even voluntarily, especially in the U.S. Why?

Anthropologist Sarah Salameh answers this question in her master’s thesis Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue. A Midwest American Perspective on Troops, War and Nation.

She’s been on a six months’ fieldwork in a small town in the upper Midwest, a rather conservative and patriotic area that struggles with deindustrialization, low wages and unemployment. Salameh - an opponent of the U.S wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - describes the six months “as the most interesting and mind blowing time of my life.”

And it is indeed an interesting and well written thesis about “one of the most understudied groups": white middle-class Americans.

She introduces us to a diverse group of military people:

The many settings the reader is introduced to includes an Army recruiting office, a public elementary school, Memorial Day celebrations, the motorcycle group the Patriot Guard Riders‟ missions, and the celebration of a National Guard unit returning home from Iraq. One gets to know people ranging from Army recruiters to the girls they helped enlisting at the age of 17, the concerned mother of a soldier, and a bunch of rather unconcerned 5th graders performing their patriotic duty decorating their town‟s cemetery with Star Spangled Banners.

One of her findings is the critical distance many soldiers have towards the government.

While in uniform, the anthropologist writes, soldiers are not allowed to speak negatively about the President. But in reality, as Robert, one of the soldiers, told her “The troops fight for the people, the American people, not the government. Neither the troops nor the people like the government.”

The official reason for waging a war is not always relevant for the soldiers. Looking at peoples‟ motives for joining the military, Salameh writes, “underlines the irrelevance of government and politics".

Not one person she’s talked to (around 100) claimed to have joined the military because he or she thinks that this or that exact war is especially just or necessary as it is explained by politicians.

Robert is one of them. He did not believe the official explanation of the Iraq war (weapons of mass destructions). At times, Robert claimed the Iraq war is a quest for oil.

But he doesn’t care:

I am going for other reasons than oil. When I was in Iraq, I built schools, and handed out backpacks and paper to school children. I fixed dams so the people could have electricity. I spent two years totally committed to doing stuff like that.

U.S. Army Soldiers in Iraq. Photo: Scott Taylor, U.S.Army, flickr

The research subjects explained and mostly legitimized the US military presence and their own participation, with a reference to themselves as Americans.

Robert places American politicians outside these “American people. He places himself, as a service member, on the side of and fighting for, the American people, not the government.

The anthropologist explains:

People and troops, the government and the people make up two societies that act according to two different value systems; the politicians according to a rather crooked one, initiating wars on unjust premises and ignoring the will of the American people; the American people according to what might perhaps be termed a more American one, expressed in Robert‟s account as focused on a wish to keep his own family and other Americans safe and free, and help Iraqis towards a better life.

Help Iraqis towards a better life? That’s in the eyes of the soldiers their responsibility as Americans. The USA is in their view a positive example for other countries, an example to follow. It seems to me they are on a kind of religious mission.

This religious dimension is interesting. Salameh discusses American nationalism as “civil religion”:

Much of the (…) USA and its military, can be understood within the context of civil religion, wherein the nation is the focus of belief, and its endeavours overseas is the spreading (missionary function) of the values inherent in the „national belief‟.

One of the dogmas of this “civil religion” is the idea that God has a special concern for America, putting Americans in the role of the chosen people, and America in the role of the promised land:

This is connected to the story of the American foundation, taking the form of myth, where today‟s American‟s ancestors came to this promised land and made a covenant with it, still binding today‟s Americans. The covenant has two aspects: to maintain the concept of promised land, basically to keep the USA free, as underlined by for example Robert, as well as to „export by example‟ the American version of freedom.

Indianapolis War Memorial Shrine Room.
Photo: Carl Van Rooy, flickr

She also describes the flag as totem, and blood sacrifice as an American group taboo.

At Memorial Day sacrifice was a central theme. “What soldiers in the Army do is to give up their life for others‟ freedom", an army recruiter explained.

Tony‟s 5th graders stood up, faced the flag on the left side of the blackboard, put their right hand on the left side of their chest and said the Pledge simultaneously with the principal‟s voice. Everybody knew the Pledge by heart and said it out loud: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

But do people in Iraq and Afghanistan really want their help? What about the widespread opposition towards the US wars?

This question is not very relevant for the research subjects. Even if the the people the USA tries to help reject the help, the USA‟s efforts are legitimate.

“It is as if the people on the receiving side of, what by the Americans is presented as „help‟, are not in a position to judge whether what the US presence offers is good or bad", Salameh comments.

This remembers of what Edward Said describes as orientalism.

People in the Orient have frequently been portrayed as more passionate, more violent and barbaric, as well as culturally determined. This „savaging‟ of the Orientals has justified European and American imperialism throughout history, often presented as a civilizing project.
(…)
And in the very same act as „the West‟ thus diagnoses other countries as less developed, „the West‟ also categorizes them as passive (they are weak, ill), thus allowing for a paternal role.

For the research subjects, there are “good others” and “bad others” in Iraq and Afghanistan:

There is the „good Other‟ who takes the form of some sort of deprived, but possible, allied and member of the „free world‟; in the accounts above termed „innocents‟, „civilians‟, „the people‟ (of Afghanistan and Iraq), or simply „Afghanis‟ and „Iraqis‟. Opposed to this, exists a „bad Other‟ that cannot possibly be helped, thus only fought. This bad Other carries many different names, among them „terrorists‟, „insurgents‟, „extremists‟, „radicals‟, and to a varying degree also the Iraqi and Afghani „leaders‟ and „government‟ are included.

Although nationalism is important, she stresses that she does not claim it is the only, or the most central factor. There are many individual factors (escaping from smalltown life etc). Economic incentives are often central when people decide to join the military in the first place, and “a thesis could have been written on economy as incentive alone"".

Sarah Salameh is currently turning the thesis into a book where she will include on all those other factors as well (see my short email interview with her, Norwegian only).

The whole thesis is available online.

SEE ALSO:

Thesis: That’s why there is peace

Secret rituals: Folklorist studied the military as an occupational folk group

Embedded anthropology? Anthropologist studies Canadian soldiers in the field

War in Iraq: Why are anthropologists so silent?

Military anthropologist starts blogging about his experiences

More and more anthropologists are recruited to service military operations

Original post blogged on antropologi.info.

Today's Blog Music - The Hype Machine

2010-09-06 20:42:33 GMT

Happy Labor Day! In honor of the holiday (but mostly due to the fact that I haven’t done one of these in about a week), I have an extra long Odds & Ends for y’all. Nine tracks of… (in post Odds & Ends: Edition V from The Tape. )

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Geeeenneeeeessiiissss — 2010-09-06 13:28:48 GMT

Trey Songz feat Drake – The Usual The duo who brought us “Successful” are back

Nah Right

Dre — 2010-09-05 16:47:12 GMT

Quick footage of Tip’s first public appearance since T.I. & Tiny’s arrest on Wednesday, performing “Motivation” and “24′s” (with a cameo from Nelly, if anybody gives a shit) in Bankhead’s Club Ritz on Friday night. Spotted @ ICE Previously: T.I. feat. Rick Ross – Pledge Allegiance To The Swag (prod. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League)

The Campaign Spot

2010-09-03 17:55:31 GMT

Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson, in today's column:

According to polls, Americans are in a mood to hold their breath until they turn blue. Voters appear to be so fed up with the Democrats that they're ready to toss them out in favor of the Republicans -- for whom, according to those same polls, the nation has even greater contempt. This isn't an "electoral wave," it's a temper tantrum.

It's bad enough that the Democratic Party's "favorable" rating has fallen to an abysmal 33 percent, according to a recent NBC-Wall Street Journal poll. It's worse that the Republican Party's favorability has plunged to just 24 percent. But incredibly, according to Gallup, registered voters say they intend to vote for Republicans over Democrats by an astounding 10-point margin. Respected analysts reckon that the GOP has a chance of gaining 45 to 60 seats in the House, which would bring Minority Leader John Boehner into the speaker's office.

My guess is that with a decided advantage in campaign funds, along with the other advantages of incumbency, Democrats will be able to mitigate these prospective losses -- perhaps even relieving Nancy Pelosi of the hassles of moving. But there's no mistaking the public mood, and the truth is that it makes no sense.

In the punditry business, it's considered bad form to question the essential wisdom of the American people. But at this point, it's impossible to ignore the obvious: The American people are acting like a bunch of spoiled brats.

This is not, I repeat not, a partisan argument. My own political leanings are well-known, but the refusal of Americans to look seriously at the nation's situation -- and its prospects -- is an equal-opportunity scourge. Republicans got the back of the electorate's hand in 2006 and 2008; Democrats will feel the sting this November. By 2012, it will probably be the GOP's turn to get slapped around again.

The nation demands the impossible: quick, painless solutions to long-term, structural problems. While they're running for office, politicians of both parties encourage this kind of magical thinking. When they get into office, they're forced to try to explain that things aren't quite so simple -- that restructuring our economy, renewing the nation's increasingly rickety infrastructure, reforming an unsustainable system of entitlements, redefining America's position in the world and all the other massive challenges that face the country are going to require years of effort. But the American people don't want to hear any of this. They want somebody to make it all better. Now.

Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson, in his first column written after Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election:

It's safe to say that I've never had such a deeply emotional reaction to a presidential election. I've found it hard to describe, though, just what it is that I'm feeling so strongly.

It's obvious that the power of this moment isn't something that only African Americans feel. When President Bush spoke about the election yesterday, he mentioned the important message that Americans will send to the world, and to themselves, when the Obama family moves into the White House.

For African Americans, though, this is personal.

I can't help but experience Obama's election as a gesture of recognition and acceptance -- which is patently absurd, if you think about it. The labor of black people made this great nation possible. Black people planted and tended the tobacco, indigo and cotton on which America's first great fortunes were built. Black people fought and died in every one of the nation's wars. Black people fought and died to secure our fundamental rights under the Constitution. We don't have to ask for anything from anybody.

Yet something changed on Tuesday when Americans -- white, black, Latino, Asian -- entrusted a black man with the power and responsibility of the presidency. I always meant it when I said the Pledge of Allegiance in school. I always meant it when I sang the national anthem at ball games and shot off fireworks on the Fourth of July. But now there's more meaning in my expressions of patriotism, because there's more meaning in the stirring ideals that the pledge and the anthem and the fireworks represent.

For me, the emotion of this moment has less to do with Obama than with the nation. Now I know how some people must have felt when they heard Ronald Reagan say "it's morning again in America." The new sunshine feels warm on my face.

There is more meaning now in his expressions of patriotism, his love for this temper-tantrum throwing nation of spoiled brats.

Jim Geraghty

MTV News Latest Headlines

2010-09-02 08:31:43 GMT

ATL rapper's spouse thanks supporters, as 50 Cent gives the couple his two cents on Twitter as well.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Tiny and T.I.
Photo: Eugene Gologursky/ Getty Images

After getting arrested with her husband, T.I., on Wednesday night for possession of a controlled substance, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle took to Twitter to thank fans for the e-support.

"Jus wanted 2say thank u 2every1 dats been leaving encouraging msgs & prayers!" Tiny tweeted on Thursday (September 2). "We love u guys:) going 2bed now! So glad 2b n a nice clean bed."

Tiny and her new hubby were picked up in Los Angeles after police stopped T.I. (born Clifford Harris Jr.) around 10:30 p.m. for making an illegal U-turn in his Maybach, according to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. When the officers approached the vehicle, they apparently smelled the scent of marijuana wafting from the car and then searched the passengers and the automobile. Police found an unspecified number of pills that "resembled ecstasy."

T.I. and Tiny were not traveling alone but the Sheriff's Department spokesperson said the other passengers in the car were not charged with a crime. The duo posted $10,000 bail each and were released early Thursday morning. They are due in court on September 3.

Other celebs have weighed in on the alleged drug bust as well. 50 Cent suggested that Tiny take the fall for Tip, who was released from prison earlier this year after completing a jail bid stemming from weapons charges.

"Man TI and tiny done got picked up agin for methamphetmines and ecstacy dam man," 50 tweeted. "Tiny gotta take that charge. Say it was yours, Baby."

Frequent T.I. collaborator DJ Drama did not directly reference the arrests, but did tweet, "So I wake up to the news .... damn..."

The incident comes just days after T.I. kicked off the week with the #1 movie in the country, "Takers," a film he worked on as both a star and a producer. In addition, the ATL MC's latest single, "Pledge Allegiance to the Swag," surfaced on the Web on Wednesday.

Related Photos

T.I. And Tameka 'Tiny' Cottle

Related Artists

T.I.

Today's Blog Music - The Hype Machine

2010-09-02 20:29:36 GMT

T.I. already got himself in more legal trouble. Last night he was arrested (along with his wife) after cops smelt weed coming out of their car. They were released at 4 a.m. this morning. Damn, why can’t these… (in post [new] T.I. – Pledge Allegiance To The Swag (Feat. Rick Ross) from We All Want Someone To Shout For. )

Hip Hop Music

Chozen — 2010-09-02 12:59:10 GMT

When I first started this site, one of the first post I made was Rick Ross going at T.I., and now here they are best friends. Rick Ross lends a hand on T.I.'s new joint titled "Pledge Allegiance To The Swag" produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, check it out. Oh yeah this one is 8 minutes long.

CONCRETELOOP.COM

BRIAN — 2010-09-02 04:17:11 GMT

[See post to listen to audio]♫ T.I. feat. Rick Ross - Pledge Allegiance to the Swag ♫ ALTERNATE LINK ♫ King of the South, T.I. finally drops his new second single, “Pledge Allegiance to the Swag.” The Rick Ross-assisted single comes from T.I.’s forthcoming seventh studio album, King Uncaged. It’s produced by the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. King Uncaged hits stores [...]

Moms 4 Sarah Palin

Tami (moms4sarahpalin@gmail.com) — 2010-09-01 23:06:00 GMT

Hey there, friends! I've missed you!

Welcome to all the new followers, and if you're new to the site, please allow me to apologize for the lack of posting in recent months.

I lost touch for awhile. A long while.

My suspicion is, you know exactly how I feel.

After the '08 election season, with all it's excitement (and if you haven't a clue what I mean, please check out the archives. You're in for an eye full), I needed a break. I tried to write here and there, even got involved on other sites doing some writing, thought I was being pulled in another direction entirely, even got mentioned in a book. (A very excellent one, I might add. You should go check it out!)

But, nothing satisfied.

Every time I even listen to or read about politics (and I do, daily) it literally makes me sick to my stomach. I've had no idea where to take this blog, or even what to say. Clearly, I can comment about politics in general, even if the subject is primarily Sarah Palin. Sarah has been incredibly busy these days, so I'd have plenty to talk about...but something has been missing. I even created another blog so that I could write devotional type posts and satisfy my need to write about those sorts of things that are most important to me. This weekend, however, something happened to me that has begun to change my thinking.

While nearly a half million people just like many of you were attending the Restoring Honor rally on the mall just a few short blocks from where I was, I was sitting in the Verizon arena, filled with over 20,000 Women of Faith. It was amazing, and if a woman sitting in that arena wasn't moved by what she heard, she might just be immovable. I was reminded what a great God I serve, and it occurred to me that I have very much shied away from talking about my personal "religious" beliefs, and those of Sarah Palin, on this blog. I guess I've kind of bought into the whole "separation of church and state" baloney that we've heard from the left for years. We touched on it some during the election, in posts like this one and others, but for the most part haven't discussed it much.

I'm terribly sorry for that. As I viewed the reruns of the rally on the mall here in Washington this week, and thought about the conference I attended, I realized how many people were in our nation's capitol last weekend praising God! How amazing is that?!

Just when I was thinking I needed motivation to get my rear in gear writing again on this blog, I did something I rarely do these days, and I think it just might be the motivation I've been looking for, especially coupled with my realization this weekend. I turned the channel to a network I can barely stomach.

Two words: Chris. Matthews.

Ughhhh.

Few words get under the skin of those of us who believe in real journalism and conservatism more than the name of the MSNBC host of Hardball. If you aren't familiar with the name, you may remember his comment after an Obama speech: "I felt this thrill going up my leg!" (after which he explained that this was an objective assessment)

As I watched, I really was quite shocked by what I heard. Why, I don't know, because it isn't unusual. I guess I just haven't really listened in a while, and maybe that's good. When we get a daily dose of that garbage, we tend to get desensitized. They began to talk about Sarah, and the Vanity Fair hit piece that's about to hit news stands--you know she's a subject they cannot stop talking about--and not once during the conversation (that lasted probably fifteen minutes, I'm guessing) did they talk about actual policy. What they did discuss, however, was her looks and how bad she looks up against Tina Fey (seriously??)...they talked about what a liar she is, but cited not one fact...they talked about what a hack she is, from a small town like Wasilla, where no one supports her (which, I suspect, is absolutely untrue)...claimed she calls herself the next Ronald Reagan (had no source for that either, because it isn't true)...and complained about how shrill her voice is, and how they cannot believe anyone would want to listen to that nonsense. Nothing with any substance or fact.

Ever wonder why that is?

You liberals who come here just to leave trashy comments, still, even when I haven't published one in months--please, just think about it for a second. Have you ever stopped to think about why it is you hate Sarah Palin so much? You trash her because she was a homemaker before diving into politics, yet you then trashed her once she entered the arena because she was a working mom. You trash her because she's a Christian, yet you back the people wishing to trample the hearts of those whose loved ones were killed on 9/11 by building a mosque on their graves. You trash her for being very vocal about where she differs with Obama, yet you spent eight years squealing about George Bush, and still are. You trash her looks, and for that there is just no reason except pure jealousy. I could go on and on, and believe me, I will. For now, however, I'm going to trust that you get the point.

Well, I'm sick of being quiet. I was ridiculed once, because I stated in an interview on CNN that one of the reasons I like Sarah Palin is because I am a Sarah Palinblogosphere with ridicule aimed at me. The left has one tactic when they disagree--destroy. Instead of being hailed as a woman trying to generate a grassroots movement (getting"moms" to the voting booth) or being complimented as someone who was at least trying to do something, I was suddenly the fat, home schooling, crooked teethed, rich hick from Florida who was a "fan" of Sarah Palin. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. First, I admit I have some pounds to lose, that's a given. (what woman doesn't feel that way?) It's true that I home schooled at the time, my teeth are not crooked, and just because I'm a good decorator does not mean we are rich. If being from south Florida made me a hick, then I guess that one was true. What I meant by my comment was this--I'm a Christian wife and mom who, when my God, my family or my country are being attacked, is gonna come out swinging. That mama bear instinct Sarah talks about so frequently is something I can connect with. I admire that Sarah was that mama who saw a need in her little town of Wasilla, and stepped up to the plate to meet it. She had more guts than most men I know to do a thing like that, and I admire her for it. I've been accused of worshipping her, but nothing here has ever given that impression. To even be accused of that is absurd after watching the campaign of Barack Obama. I worship no person. My trust is in my almighty God, and I admire the politician with guts enough to say that out loud. Sarah Palin is that politician.

I have no idea what Sarah's political future is. I've gotten emails from readers asking me to give messages to Sarah...other than a handshake at a rally, I have never talked with Sarah Palin. My dream would be to one day sit down and do an in depth interview with Sarah, and if God allows such a thing, you'll be the first to hear about it. But know this, I'm just a mama who's passionate about what's right. That's all. As election season gets into full swing, I intend to stay motivated, writing about the things here that matter most to those of us who are conservatives. I get mad from time to time, and I come out swinging. I've been ridiculed for that, and as much as I'd love to say I'm sorry, it would be a lie. I'm not sorry for being passionate about my country.

I watched (the replay) as that massive crowd said the Pledge of Allegiance on Saturday, and I began to cry. "You can do that on the mall in Washington, but you can't even do it in the classrooms of our schools", I said to my family. It breaks my heart. As my friends and I left the city on Saturday, I remarked how amazed I was that the trash was in and around the trash cans. I've been to DC for other big events, and the place was absolutely trashed. It wasn't so on Saturday. There was something different in the air, and we could feel it. I hope and pray that, as Glenn Beck said, the tide is turning.

This mom will no longer be fearful of writing what's on her heart. I've rarely asked my readers to email me, but I would love to hear from you. What would you like to know about Sarah? What other topics would you like to see discussed? What draws you to Sarah Palin? I'd love to hear your thoughts. There was a time, early in the life of this blog, where the readers were much more involved, and I'd like it to be so again.

Until then, be encouraged. Pray for our country, and love on those sweet families of yours. Take a stand for what you believe in, girls--if we don't, who's left that will?

Search for "math OR mathematics"

2010-09-02 01:43:04 GMT

By VANESSA DE LA TORRE, vdelatorre@courant.com , September 1, 2010 WEST HARTFORD - - The first day of school typically means busing confusion, parents putting off work to snap pictures of their child with new classmates and mass renditions of the Pledge of Allegiance around the school flagpole.

Black Entertainment, Money, Style and Beauty Blogs - Black Voices

Lynette Holloway — 2010-09-01 14:34:00 GMT

Filed under: Interviews, Hot Picks, Reviews, Fiction

Award-winning novelist Pearl Cleage says she couldn't resist fictionalizing the 2008 presidential campaign season in 'Till You Hear From Me,' her latest release.

"The subject was all around me,'' she said in an email interview with BV on Books. "The 2008 campaign season was an amazing series of events that truly showcased the best and worst of country.''

The New York Times bestselling author has earned a reputation for her skillful of fictionalization of current events. She delved into the Iraq war in her last novel, 'Seen It All and Done The Rest.'

For her latest novel, she couldn't have picked a better issue than President Barack Obama, whose politics and personal beliefs command headlines. Cleage latched onto the story of the president's former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who was propelled into the spotlight after a television network reviewed his fiery sermons at Trinity United Church of Christ.

The character, Rev. Horace Dunbar, is based on Rev. Wright, she said. His daughter, Ida B. Wells Dunbar, who made it the West Wing after working on the presidential campaign only to find out that was the easy part!

Cleage talks about 'Till You Hear from Me,' post-Obama America and future projects with BV on Books:BV on Books: How did you come up with the subject?
Pearl Cleage: I wanted to see if I could build a fictional story within those real events that would allow me to explore their impact within the context of one specific family. In this case, one specific father, Rev. Horace Dunbar, and his daughter, Ida. As the daughter of a very radical, charismatic minister myself, I found myself drawn to the story of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's relationship with then presidential candidate Obama, and with Rev. Wright's subsequent "fall from grace" after the now infamous video clip of him showed up on YouTube. I understand the black oratorical tradition out of which he comes and was able to view his remarks in the context of a life spent struggling against injustice, but I also understood why folks who did not understand that tradition could be shocked by his statements and frightened by his passionate delivery. I wanted to create a character with that same passionate commitment to social change -- what we used to call "a race man" -- and humanize him for my readers. The best way to do that was to place Rev. Dunbar in a specific time and place, community and family, so he becomes three dimensional and, hopefully, more understandable as a human being. I was struck several times during the campaign by the negative reactions to candidate Obama from some of the older civil rights warriors. I felt that some of this was due to the fact that while they had made it possible for him to be a serious contender, his youth and vibrancy also reminded them that they were now the "old guard," not the vibrant young Turks who had faced down and defeated the most violent forces of American racism and segregation. They didn't feel they were getting their due from those of us who owe them so much. I wanted to allow my main character, Rev. Dunbar's only daughter, to come to a deeper understanding of her father as a human being, not just a charismatic leader.

BV: What does post-Obama America mean to you?
PC: I have told friends that the hardest thing President Obama asked me to do was to think of myself as an American. On the west side of Detroit, where I grew up in a radical Black Nationalist household, we never stood up for the national anthem or recited the pledge of allegiance. Instead, we flew our own red, black and green flags, celebrated our African heritage, and dedicated ourselves to setting right all the things we knew were wrong. Loving our country, where African Americans were still denied the most basic rights of citizenship, was seen not as a source of pride, but as evidence of insanity. President Obama's election forced me to admit to, embrace, and celebrate the fact that our country has changed in so many positive ways during my lifetime. Barack Obama's election doesn't mean that we are now perfect and all problems have been solved, but it does mean that enough citizens were able to vote without regard to race to elect an amazing African American president to the highest office in the land. That is a big change and I think we are still in the midst of trying to sort out what it means to all of us. As a writer, I know that part of my task in this post-Obama America is to find the new language that we will need to express this new American reality and to tell the new stories that will reflect our common American-ness.

BV: The protagonist's name, Ida B. Wells Dunbar, is no accident. Why is the historical figure pertinent to the story?
PC: My character, Ida B. Wells Dunbar, is the daughter of a radical Black Nationalist minister and a radical feminist mother. Their two philosophies are not always complimentary, but both can enthusiastically embrace the life and work of Ida B. Wells Barnett, the African American journalist and anti-lynching activist. That's why they named their only daughter in her honor.

BV: How do you select your issues?
PC: I think my issues select me! I've always been involved in politics and community...so my stories tend to mix the political and the personal. A writer friend once told me that writers are always writing their way in or writing their way out. I think that's true. I'm always trying to find a way to understand questions and issues that are driving me crazy at the moment I sit down to write. Finding a story in which I can explore those issues is a way for me to get a handle on things and arrive at a better understanding of what's going on in my own heart and mind.

BV: What's next for Pearl Cleage?
PC: I have just finished another novel, 'Just Wanna Testify,' which will be published by Ballantine/One World in 2012. I also have a new play, The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years, premiering this fall at Alabama Shakespeare Festival in a co-production with Atlanta's Alliance Theatre. And, I'm already thinking about another novel which brings Rev. Dunbar's wife back to Atlanta to see if she can figure out the balance between the personal and the political, a challenge that continues to interest me!

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Pitchfork: Latest News

Tom Breihan — 2010-09-01 21:20:00 GMT

T.I. recently gave a scene-stealing guest verse to fellow Southern rap monarch Rick Ross' big-money posse cut "Maybach Music III", and now Ross has returned the favor. The new T.I./Ross collab, possibly intended for T.I.'s forthcoming King Uncaged, is nearly eight minutes of brutally regal tough talk, and it bears the unfortunate title "Pledge Allegiance to the Swag". The gigantic-sounding beat comes courtesy of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. Download the track over at Nah Right.

MultiCultClassics

HighJive (noreply@blogger.com) — 2010-09-01 09:28:00 GMT

From The Chicago Sun-Times…

White fright simmers in summer of anxiety

One crucial element of the American subconscious is about to become explicit and highly volatile. It is the realization that a white United States is within thinkable distance of a moment when it will no longer be the majority. This awareness already exists in places like New York and Texas and California, and there have been projections of when different nonwhite populations will collectively outnumber the former white majority. But it also exerts a strong subliminal effect in states like Alaska that have an overwhelming white preponderance.

Until recently, the tendency has been to think of this rather than to speak of it—or to speak of it delicately, lest the hard-won ideal of diversity be imperiled. But nobody with any feeling for the zeitgeist can avoid noticing the symptoms of white unease.

For example, so strong is the moral stature of Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement that even the white right pretends to emulate it. Thus, I find that it is really quite rare to hear slurs against President Obama that are based purely on the color of his skin.

But it is increasingly common to hear allegations that Obama is foreign-born or a Muslim. And these insinuations are perfectly emblematic of the two main fears of the old majority: that it will be submerged by an influx from beyond the borders and that it will be challenged in its traditional ways and faiths by an alien and largely Third World religion.

This summer, then, has been the perfect register of the new anxiety, beginning with the fracas over Arizona’s immigration law, gaining in intensity with the proposal by some Republicans to amend the 14th Amendment so as to denaturalize “anchor babies,” cresting with the row over the “ground zero” mosque, and culminating with Glenn Beck, a quasi-educated Mormon broadcaster calling for a Christian religious revival from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

At the last Tea Party rally I attended, earlier this year at the Washington Monument, I stood behind signs that read: “We left our guns at home—this time” and “We invoke the First Amendment today—the Second Amendment tomorrow.” But Beck’s event was tepid by comparison: a call to sink to the knees rather than rise from them. The overall effect was large, vague, moist and undirected: the “Waterworld” of white self-pity.

The Washington Post quoted Linda Adams, a Beck supporter from Colorado, who said, “We want our country to get back to its original roots.” She also told the paper that “her ancestors were on the Mayflower and fought in the American Revolution.” She was upset that some schools no longer require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Well, the U.S. population is simply not going to be replenished by Puritan pilgrims from England, and the original Pledge of Allegiance was fine with most people as a statement of national unity, until its “original intent” was compromised by a late insertion of the words “under God” in the McCarthyite 1950s. But one still sees what she means and can feel sympathy with the pulse of nostalgia.

In a curious and confused way, some white people are starting almost to think like a minority, even like a persecuted one.

What does it take to believe that Christianity is an endangered religion in the U.S. or that the name of Jesus is insufficiently spoken or appreciated? Who wakes up believing that there is no appreciation for our veterans and our armed forces and that without a noisy speech from former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, their sacrifice would be scorned?

It’s not unfair to say that such grievances are purely and simply imaginary, which in turn leads one to ask what the real ones can be. The clue, surely, is furnished by the remainder of the speeches, which deny racial feeling so monotonously and vehemently as to draw attention.

Saturday’s rally was quite largely confined to expressions of pathos and insecurity, voiced in a sickly and pious tone. The emotions that underlay it, however, may not be uttered that way indefinitely.

New York Times Syndicate

Texas for Sarah Palin

Josh Painter (noreply@blogger.com) — 2010-08-31 16:05:00 GMT

*
Special "Restoring More Honor" Edition

Frances Martel at Mediaite:

"For a high-profile speaker, Sarah Palin got one of the more difficult jobs one can get at a rally: warming up the early morning crowd. That said, when the crowd is thousands of Tea Party-affiliated Americans enthusiastic about restoring their nation’s honor, it’s not so difficult to get them fired up. Palin dedicated her speech to the troops, honored several American soldiers, and thanked the greatest Americans, both large and small in legacy, for their contributions."

Breitbart.tv:

"The... speech delivered by the former Vice Presidential nominee... brought many in the throng to tears."

Daniel Halper at The Weekly Standard Blog:

"Palin heartily thanked 'America’s finest, our men and women in the military.' She called the military 'a force for good' in this world. 'And that is nothing to apologize for,' Palin said, in what was probably the most political moment of her speech, as it was presumably a veiled shot at Obama for what many perceive as a worldwide apology tour taken by the president."

Constitution Club:

"Hard on the heels of Sarah Palin’s stellar speech... at [Saturday’s] D.C. rally, Feministas [are] bemoaning the left’s lack of a similar charismatic female leader."

Waking America Up Blog:

"Any attempts to lie and downplay this event are not attacks on Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin. These are attacks on each and every one of us. The press is telling us that honor doesn’t matter. Community doesn’t matter. Your belief in God doesn’t matter. Your voice doesn’t matter. Erasing the numbers is the press telling us that we don’t matter. We do matter. Wake up."

Jillian Bandes at Townhall.com:

"Sarah Palin was a headlining speaker, and Beck played up her credentials as a mother instead of as a conservative political force... Palin, along with a host of other speakers, largely upheld Beck's initial mantra of faith, hope, and honor."

A Shot and a Beer:

"Sarah Palin introduced members of the Military, who had sacrificed friends, comrades, shipmates, and limbs, to point out those who put Honor above their own needs, or even their own survival. All day, it was the same story; we are Americans, we are one Family, we should work together, trust in God (with no demand on whose God we should trust in), and help to bring us all up. No hate, absolutely zero so-called 'racism,' and no politics. And, by the way, absolutely no trash left laying on the National Mall when it was over."

Nile Gardiner at the Telegraph:

"Boosted by the presence of charismatic former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the 'Restoring Honor' event organised by talk show host Glenn Beck was a huge success, and a tremendous demonstration of the power of conservatism in America today."

andysully at Blue Collar Corner:

"Glenn Beck’s rally was not a race issue or a political playground where rhetoric was thrown around like childish insults. This rally was a genuine attempt to bridge the gap on all differences. The Liberal Media’s attempt to prevent that is almost as oppressive as supporting segregation 47 years earlier. MSNBC reported 'Beck and tea party champion Sarah Palin appealed Saturday to a vast, predominately white crowd.' I’m sorry, wasn’t there something mentioned about all of God’s children? But, who knows more than God besides the Liberal Media?"

The Washington Post:

"The crowd erupted when Beck introduced Palin, a tea party heroine and a former Republican vice presidential candidate."

Jason A. Vigorito at The Ridgewood Blog:

"Sarah Palin — speaking as a soldier’s mother — best stated... every... rallier’s reason for attending the Restoring Honor Rally: we don’t want to fundamentally transform America, we want to RESTORE America... Have you ever cheered alongside 300,000+ people? Have you ever sung with 300,000+ people?? Have you ever prayed with 300,000+ people??? Have you ever even been in a crowd that large?! To hear that many people say the Pledge of Allegiance, led by a Boy Scout, together; to sing the National Anthem in unison; to hold hands with strangers and sing 'Amazing Grace' to bagpipes. You’re struck with awe."

Idiots For Obama:

"It appears that Al Sharpton's 'Reclaiming the Dream' rally focussed more on Sarah Palin and Glenn beck than it [did] on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King."

Hugh Hewitt at the Washington Examiner:

"Minimum estimate of Saturday's crowd on the Mall: 300,000 Maximum estimate: One million people. Meaning of the crowd: An enormous upheaval in the emotions of average Americans is coursing through the country, with a certain significance for November's elections. It will have a lasting, profound impact on America's political direction. Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin provided an occasion to glimpse this undeniable phenomenon... The people on the Mall and the millions more who watched the gathering with satisfaction rather than fear are quite simply sick of the left, and of its vast sneer toward the traditions, values and, yes, faith of the American middle class."

The Daily Beast:

"Sarah Palin was met by a roaring crowd as she spoke at Glenn Beck’s 'Restoring Honor' rally on the National Mall Saturday."

Jeannie DeAngelis at American Thinker blog:

"Americans gathering to peacefully pray, exercise freedom of speech and laud the greatness of our nation [were] depicted by Chris Matthews as 'Little right-wing boys and little right-wing girls joining hands and singing praise for Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin.' Matthews' tingly hero worship [of Obama] explains the MSNBC commentator projecting juvenile idolatry on hundreds of thousands of peacefully assembled Americans who were doing anything but worshiping Beck and Palin... The left cultivates division and then complains about a racial divide. Liberals stir up strife and then claim that minorities avoid gatherings like the 'Restoring Honor' event, which was attended by hundreds of thousands of people who, regardless of race, treasure the values Martin Luther King espoused."

- JP

Boston Phoenix - thePhoenix.com

webmaster@phx.com(CHRIS FARAONE) — 2010-08-31 20:18:02 GMT

Glenn Beck’s rally on the Washington mall was scarier than you’d like to think
Washington, DC — Glenn Beck maintains that he didn't purposely schedule this "Restoring Honor" rally on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. I say bullshit.

Washington, DC — Glenn Beck maintains that he didn't purposely schedule this "Restoring Honor" rally on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

I say bullshit. He wants nothing more than to lead his people to the promised land.

I know, for today I am among his legionnaires.

The troops are decked in their combat best, sporting Old Glory in her every form along with such prized accessories as autographed NASCAR hats. Some of their motto tees are cute and familiar ("THE CONSTITUTION: I READ IT FOR THE ARTICLES"), while others are ironic choices for guys wearing sensible cross-trainers ("I'M THE COLONIAL REVOLUTIONARY THAT YOUR HIPPIE FRIENDS WARNED YOU ABOUT"). Many younger attendees have on shirts advertising their unaccredited colleges, while senior citizens wear visors and a look of permanent disgust.

I find myself blending in: back in Boston, the camo shorts and yellow T-shirt were just an outfit, but here, from a distance the latter looks like a "Don't Tread On Me" flag. I decide to go with it, telling folks that the scroll tattoo on my right forearm represents the Constitution. In a momentary redneck transformation, I go so far as to join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, lifting my voice for the "under God" part.

I have no choice. It's a matter of survival. Or at least the difference between my taking notes in peace, and having to argue with the idiots who are beleaguering other journalists who roam beyond the press box. I feel especially bad for one telltale liberal blogger, who might as well have worn an Obama-Biden hoodie to complement his Merrell boots and Nalgene jar.

MTV News Latest Headlines

2010-08-31 08:02:44 GMT

'Don't look for it on radio, but online and in the streets and in the clubs,' rapper says.
By Shaheem Reid

T.I.
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/ Getty Images

T.I. has only gone Hollywood when it comes to films, not his music. Tinseltown's current box-office champ says we can expect a brand-new record from his King Uncaged LP this week. He's going to growing it from the ground up.

"My next song ... I'm not even sending it to radio first," he explained Monday. "I'm going to work it from the streets to the clubs. Then as DJs ask about it, I'll deliver it to them. I'm gonna go all the way back to grassroots. I feel that people right now feel I'm going so far over their heads, given my prior success with Paper Trail. They feel like I'm trying to leave my foundation and my demographic behind, which is far from my intention."

The King of the South's new song should land in the next couple of days or so.

"Probably this week — don't look for it on radio, but online and in the streets and in the clubs, you can look forward to a record. A record called 'Pledge Allegiance to the Swag,' he added. "I'm just trying to feed the streets right now."

And the Net. Tip has a slew of viral videos dropping soon with his various Grand Hustle acts.

"We just shot three videos," T.I. said. "We just shot the Young Dro 'Freeze Me' video with me, him and Gucci Mane. We shot the 'Get Your Girl' video with me and my artist and lil' cousin, Rich Kid Shawty [Rashad]. We shot that in Atlanta. We also shot the video for 'Ya Hear Me?' Those videos will be completed and surfacing online within the next week or so."

Over the weekend, T.I.'s latest film, "Takers," grabbed the top spot in a tooth-and-nail dogfight for number one with "The Last Exorcism." As he told us a few weeks ago, with the film being a success, a prequel to the action thriller is very likely.

"I just got off the phone with the director and the writer of 'Takers,' he revealed. "Also with the heads of Screen Gems. We're working on not a sequel, but the prequel to 'Takers,' telling how the guys came to meet one another and how the relationships developed. Pretty much telling the story before [my character] went [to jail]."

Related Artists

T.I.

current.com top stories

2010-08-31 16:47:02 GMT

One crucial element of the American subconscious is about to become salient and explicit and highly volatile. It is the realization that white America is within thinkable distance of a moment when it will no longer be the majority. This awareness already exists in places like New York and Texas and California, and there have even been projections of the time(s) at which it will occur and when different nonwhite populations will collectively outnumber the former white majority. But it also exerts a strong subliminal effect in states like Alaska that have an overwhelming white preponderance.

Until recently, the tendency has been to think of this rather than to speak of it—or to speak of it very delicately, lest the hard-won ideal of diversity be imperiled. But nobody with any feeling for the zeitgeist can avoid noticing the symptoms of white unease and the additionally uneasy forms that its expression is beginning to take.

For example, so strong is the moral stature of the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement that even the white right prefers to pretend to emulate it. (This smarmy tactic long predates Glenn Beck, by the way: I remember Ralph Reed trying it when he ran the Christian Coalition more than 10 years ago and announced that he wanted to remodel the organization along the lines of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.) Thus, it is really quite rare to hear slurs against President Barack Obama that are based purely on the color of his skin. Even Beck himself has tried to back away from the smears of that kind that he has spread in the past. But it is increasingly common to hear allegations that Obama is either foreign-born or a Muslim. And these insinuations are perfectly emblematic of the two main fears of the old majority: that it will be submerged by an influx from beyond the borders and that it will be challenged in its traditional ways and faiths by an alien and largely Third World religion.
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This summer, then, has been the perfect register of the new anxiety, beginning with the fracas over Arizona's immigration law, gaining in intensity with the proposal by some Republicans to amend the 14th Amendment so as to de-naturalize "anchor babies," cresting with the continuing row over the so-called "Ground Zero" mosque, and culminating, at least symbolically, with a quasi-educated Mormon broadcaster calling for a Christian religious revival from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

At the last "Tea Party" rally I attended, earlier this year at the Washington Monument, some in the crowd made at least an attempt to look fierce and minatory. I stood behind signs that read: "We left our guns at home—this time" and "We invoke the First Amendment today—the Second Amendment tomorrow." But Beck's event was tepid by comparison: a call to sink to the knees rather than rise from them. It was clever of him not to overbill it as a "Million"-type march (though Rep. Michele Bachmann was tempted to claim that magic figure). The numbers were impressive enough on their own, but the overall effect was large, vague, moist, and undirected: the Waterworld of white self-pity.

The Washington Post quoted Linda Adams, a Beck supporter from Colorado, who said, "We want our country to get back to its original roots," adding that "her ancestors were on the Mayflower and fought in the American Revolution." She was also upset that some schools no longer require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Well, the U.S. population is simply not going to be replenished by Puritan pilgrims from England, and the original Pledge of Allegiance was fine with most people as a statement of national unity, until its "original intent" was compromised by a late insertion of the words "under God" in the McCarthyite 1950s. But one still sees what she means and can feel sympathy with the pulse of nostalgia.

added by: TimALoftis
31 comments

Dealzon - The deal and coupon finding robot!

Dealzon — 2010-08-31 03:40:47 GMT

Gates of Vienna

Dymphna (noreply@blogger.com) — 2010-08-30 21:41:00 GMT

Here’s a first hand report from one of our Virginia readers about Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally day before yesterday. His email came in yesterday, but what with the Baron’s being away I was too busy to post the account till now.

Like many others, I only watched the Rally on C-Span. Judging by his account, it was definitely not the same as being there.

Where necessary, I filled in information which Prospero couldn’t have collected on the ground — e.g., the names of those receiving awards.

***UPDATE***

This video seemed appropriate to accompany Prospero's narrative. However, in the rush to post, it was inadvertently left out:

A commenter on this video at You Tube put it well:

The words of the song and the history of the song are both very much on point! It’s time black people forgive the whites and vice versa. It’s time for people for all color to stop wasting time hating one another. It time to join in greater efforts -- like maybe making America a great place for all of us to live!

God bless the piper! We should all follow.

And, now, here's Prospero ---

Wow. What a day, what a crowd, what a transportation nightmare.

The Weather and the Crowd

Through a filter of twenty-four plus hours, the Restoring Honor rally on August 28, 2010 still seems an amazing event. I am underwhelmed by the press coverage, as I expected to be.

The day was clear, sunny, low-humidity, hot, but not the brutal temperatures of the prior two months. The gathering was peaceful (to the annoyance of the Far Left); the crowd overwhelmingly followed Glenn Beck’s guidelines for the rally — namely, no pets, no signs, bring your kids, come to pray and celebrate the honorable among us. I saw two dogs, many kids and people fully engaged in prayer and celebration. There were signs, some political, some religious. All I saw were small and not obstructive. I never saw anyone carrying a sign or banner that was larger than 2x3. Flags were present, mostly hand-held. There were some huge American flags, either unaccompanied, or paired with “Don’t Tread on Me”. There were also military flags.

Getting to Our Spot

We arrived behind the Lincoln Memorial and needed to skirt the reflecting pool area by going through the walkway passed the Vietnam War Memorial. We then had to skirt the Declaration Memorial (and its pond on the outside, toward Constitution Ave.) just to be able to work back toward the crowd at the World War II Memorial.

We set up camp after stopping and participating in the crowd’s recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner”.
- - - - - - - -
The crowd obviously outstripped expectations as there was no way to hear or see the program from most locations beyond the Reflecting Pool. That was okay since we could still hear over the noise of Reagan National Airport traffic. We certainly heard enough to understand that Beck stayed true to the non-political focus of this rally.

The Program

Sarah Palin spoke about the sacrifices and the honor of the military, as a combat vet’s mom. She also recognized the strength and faith of Marcus Luttrell, the only surviving member of his Seal Team.

There is also a Wikipedia bio on Luttrell that is more in-depth (believe it or not).

The experience of Luttrell and his team was framed by the concept of mercy: when discovered by Afghan civilians, the Seals chose to let them go rather than kill them to insure silence. This humane decision settled their fate; the freed civilians summoned forces and the Team was besieged. The chopper sent to rescue them was shot down. Finally, the lone survivor, Marcus, was saved through the mercy of Afghan tribesmen from Sabri-Minah, a Pashtun village. These Pashtuns follow an ancient, pre-Islamic code of honor, Pashtunwali:

Pashtuns embrace an ancient traditional, spiritual, and communal identity tied to a set of moral codes and rules of behavior, as well as to a linear record of history spanning over five thousand years.

Pashtunwali promotes self-respect, independence, justice, hospitality, love, forgiveness, revenge and tolerance toward all (especially to strangers or guests). It is considered a personal responsibility of every Pashtun to discover and rediscover Pashtunwali’s essence and meaning.

Who Benefits?

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) was the beneficiary of all the profits and donations from this rally. They were the next people feted. A Gold Star mother spoke of her son, Killed In Action while in Air Force Special Operations work. He left behind his wife and eight-month-old son.

In a crowd of that size, and with the need to relay sound, it was amazing that we were able to hear most of her speech. This mom set the stage for the next speaker: SOWF president, Col. John Carney USAF(Ret). He spoke movingly about the mission of the foundation, which is to see to the care of the children of the fallen soldiers in Special Operations.

SOWF was created after the catastrophe of the attempted hostage rescue in Iran in 1980. Currently, it has over five hundred and fifty families on its rolls. SOWF follows the children from the very beginning, when family members are notified of the death of their son or daughter right on through college and beyond. SOWF provides mentoring and assistance and tuition.

During the rally, Beck announced that over five million dollars were raised. (Snarkily, the Washington Post said the total was before the expenses of the event were tallied…Beck’s website and the foundation’s website state the SOWF gets the five million, plus.) [couldn’t find a link to this WaPo story but recall hearing about it — D].

[Note: Donations for these children can still be made, here. Or you can text SOWF to 85944 to make a $10 donation — D]

Merit Badges for Grown-Ups

Badges of Merit were bestowed on three recipients for their representation of Faith, Hope and Charity, respectively.

These medals were based on the Purple Heart-style medal that George Washington bestowed. By the way, the current military Purple Heart, awarded for being wounded in battle, is a construct of the 20th century; Roosevelt instituted it. For years the original concept, meant to honor ordinary people, was lost to history.

Each honoree was preceded by a brief excerpt of Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Remarkably fitting, as none of these individuals is “famous” in the usual sense of the word. [Except perhaps the athlete who received the award for Hope? His obvious spiritual emphasis would explain why he was chosen, despite his fame. — D]

The Badge of Merit for Faith went to a black Texan minister, Pastor Charles Lewis Jackson:

Charles Lewis Jackson of Houston has been the pastor of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church for 44 years. He is a member of the Baptist Ministers Association, the Independent Baptist Ministers Association, and the Texas State Chaplains Association…Jackson serves on the board of the Disaster Team of the American Red Cross. He also serves as a council member of the Harris County Citizen Corporation.

[There isn’t much further information about Rev. Jackson, other than the fact that he contributed to the “Project Deliver the Vote” PAC. Which makes him a Democrat. One wonders how much blowback he’ll get for appearing with Mr. Beck. — D]

The Badge of Merit for Hope went to baseball player Albert Pujols. Through his Pujols Family Foundation in St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Pujols helps children and adults with Down Syndrome. [Pujols was introduced by his manager and it obvious they were nervous. Someone reported later that they’d been anxious not to be involved in anything “political”. That explains why Mr. Russo was there as his spokesperson and the one who introduced him — D].

The Badge of Merit for Charity went to a billionaire who says his goal is to die broke. Jon Huntsman is a major philanthropist. He is also a Mormon with fifty six grandchildren, one of whom got married on 8/28. In his place Emma Houston to receive his award. Ms. Houston is a cancer survivor who was treated at the Oncology hospital he founded. [In trying to find information on Ms. Houston, I googled the search string Emma Houston at Glenn Beck rally. There wasn’t anything of use on that search, but the first page of hits was full of venom. — D]

Crowd Continues Growing

As they event progressed, we could see the crowd growing, by the minute. The Park police refuse to estimate crowds, but by noon (the rally began at ten a.m.) I would say at least 400,000 to 500,00 people were present. Because the woods on either side of the reflecting pool were packed with people, the aerial photos do not do justice to the crowd. In fact, it is possible that there were significantly over a half million.

Dr. King Speaks. Beck Follows.

The bravest and most beleaguered speaker of the day was Dr. Alveda King, a niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Her own father as well as her uncle were killed during the struggle for Civil Rights for black people. Her cousin, Martin Luther King III was participating in Sharpton’s rally. She certainly had ample reason to drop out; after all, Alveda King and Glenn Beck have only known each other about six months. But she bucked the shunning system and took a lot of heat for her appearance with Beck. God Bless her. She received thunderous applause for her message about character and honor as the linchpins of our soul.

Dr. King came with singers and other speakers to proclaim that “The Dream” is not dead. She testified to faith being at the heart of all our endeavors. How remarkable to stand on the Mall and hear a call to heed the Lord. She was, without doubt, the most stirring of the guest speakers.

Beck can be stirring himself. He is as enthusiastic as a convert and unrepentantly patriotic. This is not to say he is uncritical of this country. His most assuredly is free in his criticism of the carelessness with which most Americans treat their system of government and their own future.

Beck’s gift lies in using the Founder’s beliefs, writings, letters and actions to illuminate the deep religious faith shared by most of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. He does not pontificate with the élan of the over-educated elite; he preaches with the fervor of the novitiate. His zeal for a return to faith as the salvation of the Republic is endearing in its sincerity. If the vocal response of the crowd was any measure, they shared his concern.

Saturday was not a banner day for the causes of politics or secular humanism on the Mall.

I have more to tell you about the people we met and the places we visited this weekend, but fatigue and stimulus overload are catching up. Suffice it to say, the experience lifted my spirits and encouraged me to believe that my fellow citizens aren’t detached obliviates. They are impassioned, caring and revitalized.

If Glenn Beck touched off this spark in 500,000 people, good on him.

If each of us who attended does a little old fashioned witnessing that our society is not Godless, self-serving, and disinterested in our own continuance as a “shining beacon on a hill” then, good on us.

Cheers — tired feet and all,

Prospero

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Prospero’s Afterword

The Washington Post actually managed to cover the rally with a modicum of decency and accuracy, but the MSM seems to still have missed the point. Liberal blogs are outraged, politics are insinuated into the reportage as a way to maintain the insistence that Beck’s motivations are “Tea Party” politics, which remain incorrectly attached to the Republican Party.

Oh well. The main point is that I would estimate that at a minimum 400,000 people gathered on the mall under the aegis of restoring honor in this country.

Postscript from Dymphna: Although it was predictable, the disapproving din (which continues to grow) surrounding this rally still leaves one taken aback. Even the wiki on “Restoring Honor” is surprisingly mean-spirited and negative. As usual, what passes for analysis by the Left, and represented in this wiki is discourteous, derisive, even obscene.

In a section entitled Media Reaction and Response, here’s what they managed to collect (there are links and footnotes at the site):

Leading up to the event, Beck attracted criticism from various media personalities, comedians and writers. MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann stated that he was worried about Glenn Beck’s sanity after Beck said that he wanted to let “the spirit” speak through him at the rally. The day before the rally on the same network, Chris Matthews, of Hardball With Chris Matthews, used his ending segment to announce:

Can we imagine if King were physically here tomorrow, today, were he to reappear tomorrow on the very steps of the Lincoln Memorial? I have a nightmare that one day a right wing talk show host will come to this spot, his people’s lips dripping with the words interposition and nullification. Little right wing boys and little right wing girls joining hands and singing their praise for Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin. I have a nightmare.

Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart dubbed the rally “Beckapalooza” and “I Have A Scheme”, while Stephen Colbert announced he was ready to follow Beck in his “silver freedom spaceship that runs on human tears.” Journalist Jason Linkins was critical of what he deemed an “insanely melodramatic video promotion of the rally, replete with Goldline scamflackery”, positing that the “Glenn Beck rally will be like (the) moon landing, Wright Brothers and Rosa Parks all rolled into one massive orgasm of American history.” Author and activist Glenn Greenwald created a website and video entitled “Glenn Beck is Not Martin Luther King Jr.”, which provided a petition featuring over 30,000 signatures the day before the rally, denouncing Beck. Meanwhile Media Matters for America compiled a large compilation [sic] of related clips and excerpts criticizing the event.

A.J. Calhoun, who attended the original 1963 King rally, took offense at Beck’s holding what he called a “rally of right-wingers, Tea Partiers, neoconservatives, fascists, the delusional and the truly wicked, (and) the New Kluxers disguised as patriots wanting something they cannot or will not identify openly.”

That’s not the whole diatribe but it gives you an idea of the tone set by Beck’s detractors. One begins to question; what fear is driving this kind of hatred?

There is one positive note in a very brief section titled Aftermath and Reaction:

Hours after the rally finished, Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal attorney and speechwriter, Clarence B. Jones, said he believes King would not have been offended by Beck’s rally but “pleased and honored”. Jones, now a visiting professor at Stanford University, said the Beck rally seemed to be tasteful and did not appear to distort King’s message.

The benighted creators of this wiki, whoever they are, had the grace (snark?) to say This section requires expansion.

Obviously our media is terribly broken. No wonder it is failing across the board — financially, morally, and intellectually. You have only to open Google and type in Glenn Beck’s name to see the venom frothing down the page. These people are scared and their fear drives them to say and do shockingly ugly things.

Here's a possible remedy. In the name of charity, or at least less malice, these jeering people might spend a profitable hour reading the book, Winners Never Cheat. It was written by Mr. Hunstman, the philantrophist who received Beck's Badge of merit for charity and the proceeds go to his cancer center.

They are obviously in need of something to quell the vitriolic hatred. That kind of poison shrivels the soul...of the ones that spew it.

MTV News Latest Headlines

2010-08-30 10:20:55 GMT

'I appreciate the people for showing up and judging for themselves,' he tells MTV News.
By Shaheem Reid

T.I. in "Takers"
Photo: Columbia Pictures

While early estimates had "The Last Exorcism" edging out "Takers" at the box office this weekend, T.I. says not so fast. According to a recalculated tally on BoxOfficeMojo.com, his heist film, also starring Idris Elba and Chris Brown, came out on top, grossing $20.5 million vs. the horror movie's $20.3 million.

"It was so tight, they kinda misinformed people prematurely and gave out the wrong information," Tip said about the initial numbers. "But officially, as it stands right now, 'Takers' is the #1 movie in the country, contrary to popular belief. In my heart, I felt it would be.

"Its kinda like the Obama election," Tip continued. "Not at all as important, but you felt like it was supposed to happen ... unless it was some bullsh-- in the game, it would likely happen. I'm not in any way trying to compare the magnitude of importance [of the presidential election] to this [box-office] situation, but I'm just trying to somewhat rate my anticipation. Thanks to everyone that supported. Critics were very quick to sign up and criticize the film. I appreciate the people for showing up and judging for themselves. And tweeting and putting out the word of mouth that this really was a good film."

Tip did more than his share to promote the film this weekend. On Friday, he was in Atlanta treating his hometown fans to the flick, and then he headed to the Midwest on Sunday to do the same.

"All weekend I been out," he said. "If I went and the line was packed, I bought all the tickets. Everybody inside who had already bought the tickets, I bought the concessions — popcorn, candy, slushees, sodas. I did that in Atlanta on Friday and Saturday. Sunday, I was in Mount Pleasant [Michigan] with [Ludacris for a concert]. ... I went before the concert and took pictures and signed autographs for everyone who bought tickets. And after the show, I went in after the movie theater had closed. They remained open so they could show the film, man. At 11:30 or 11:55. That allowed us to have two more sold-out shows. I appreciate all the people who supported. It was really the energy. The energy surrounding the project was unmatched.

"We were in less theaters, we were in smaller theaters [than 'The Last Exorcism']," Tip said about the obstacles for "Takers." "They were in theaters that held 350 and 400. We were in theaters that held 150 and 185, 225. We had a stronger per-screen average, which means all of the screens that we were viewed on and showed on, we had more sold-out shows than they did. It was more people in line for 'Takers' than it was for that movie. It didn't matter how many more screens than us they were on. It kept it close, but they couldn't bring out the victory, simply because the people demanded it. The quality of ['Takers'] spoke volumes of what the people wanted to have in the #1 slot."

After the film's successful debut weekend, Tip was on the phone Monday morning (August 30) with the filmmakers about getting a "Takers" prequel greenlit. Musically, he's dropping a song in the next few days called "I Pledge Allegiance to the Swag."

Did you check out "Takers" this weekend? Share your reviews in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Takers."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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The Freebie Blogger

Wendi @ The Freebie Blogger — 2010-08-30 12:52:48 GMT

Gateways to Better Education is offering a FREE Pledge of Allegiance Poster. Offer is located here, about halfway down the page. This offer is available to U.S. residents, through 9/30/10 or while supplies last. Related Posts: Free “I Am The American Flag” Book Free Blue Star Flag

Catholic Exchange

Charles Colson — 2010-08-28 05:00:20 GMT

Fortunately, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this year upheld the Pledge of Allegiance, so kids will go on reciting it. But how many know what it really means—especially “one nation under God”?

For most people, reciting the Pledge of…

USA Carry

ronwill — 2010-08-27 23:00:33 GMT

BY A 15 yr. Old SCHOOL KID IN ARIZONA New Pledge of Allegiance (TOTALLY AWESOME)! Since the Pledge of Allegiance And The Lord's...

ESPN.com - TrueHoop

2010-08-27 11:58:44 GMT

Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post: "The task of receiving anywhere near market value for Carmelo Anthony in trade only figures to be more difficult with a growing perception the 6-foot-8 Denver forward is more interested in winning an Oscar than an NBA title. As a league executive told me: Anthony used to bleed basketball. But if you opened him up now and looked inside, what could be found closest to the player's heart? A love of the game? Or the desire to be a Hollywood star? As teams from New Jersey to Los Angeles respond to not-so- subtle hints from the Nuggets that the trade market for Anthony is open for bidding, it's time to ask where the cracks in the relationship between Denver and its star scorer began. Signs point to last summer, when Anthony switched representation for his business interests to Creative Artists Agency, whose more famous clients have included Derek Jeter and Julia Roberts. It should be noted that LaLa Vazquez, a former MTV personality and Anthony's wife, also joined CAA as part of the deal."
Howard Beck of The New York Times: "Landry Fields signed his rookie contract Thursday, completing a Knicks roster that is younger, deeper and more talented than any recent edition. It comes, however, with one minor asterisk. Kelenna Azubuike, who was expected to compete for a starting job, may start training camp on the sideline, because of lingering concerns over his surgically repaired left knee. With Fields signed, the Knicks’ roster is essentially set. They have 14 players with guaranteed contracts and no immediate plans to fill the final vacancy. (Center Jerome Jordan, another second-round pick, will begin his career in Serbia. The Knicks retain his rights.) A handful of players will be brought to camp on partial guarantees and perhaps compete for the 15th spot. ... The lineup will be rebuilt around the star forward Amar’e Stoudemire and point guard Raymond Felton, the Knicks’ biggest free-agent signings this summer. Gallinari, a rising star, will probably start at small forward. Everything else will be up for grabs when the Knicks open training camp Sept. 25 at their training center in Greenburgh."
Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel: "No LeBron James, no Dwyane Wade, no Kobe Bryant. But does that mean the U.S. national team has no chance in the 2010 FIBA World Championship? Head coach Mike Krzyzewski is back for another go-round with the national team after leading it to an Olympic gold medal and restoring some lost luster to USA Basketball during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. And even though this group has been dubbed a 'B' team, it still may have enough talent to give the U.S. its first world championship since 1994. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant has emerged as the leader of a young U.S. team, and Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose has seized the starting point guard role and given indications he could be a huge factor for the team during the 2012 London Olympics. In fact, Rose's strong play led Boston guard Rajon Rondo to make a last-minute withdrawal from the squad before the final cut was made earlier this week."
Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News: "Chris Collins, who will enter his 10th season on Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's staff, is part of the coaching group overseeing the collegiate players practicing against Iguodala and his U.S. teammates, who just happen to be coached by Krzyzewski. While Collins' main responsibility is to oversee his team's defensive play, he can't help but keep a close eye on someone who will be playing for his dad, Doug, this NBA season. 'Oh, my dad has been getting in touch with me every day asking how Andre's doing,' Collins said. 'He'll either call me, e-mail or text me. That's the way he is. He is on top of everything and very attentive to detail.' That trait is one of the reasons, if not the main reason, why the Sixers decided to hire Collins as their coach in May after firing Eddie Jordan, who led the team to a 27-55 record in his only season. Though Doug Collins just turned 59, his son doesn't see that as a red flag. 'He is just loaded with energy, and even more so when it comes to basketball,' Chris said. 'It was the right time for him to get back into coaching. He has always loved coaching. He and I have such a close relationship and he's been so helpful to me in my career. His knowledge of the game is incredibly high. His ability to relate to players is terrific, and he can teach the game as well as anyone.' "
Gary Peterson of The Oakland Tribune: "Stephen Curry's world view isn't complete. But it's coming along. 'What do you call the people here?' he asked by phone from Istanbul. 'Turkins? That's not right.' No, and we wouldn't suggest calling them Turkeys, either. 'Wait -- Turks,' he said. 'Yeah, Turks. They like us here. Except when we play Turkey.' Curry, the Warriors' soon-to-be second-year guard, has spent the summer with Team USA, which meets Croatia on Saturday in its opening game of the FIBA World Championship. Curry is the first Warriors player to make the U.S. national team since Chris Mullin in 1992. It has made for a hectic summer. Workouts began in Las Vegas last month, then moved to New York. Team USA landed in Madrid for games Saturday and Sunday, victories over Lithuania and Spain. It routed Greece in Athens on Wednesday. 'We're in a pretty good position,' Curry said. 'We're playing well. We've been able to go through some different situations. Now we can come in Saturday and keep our momentum going.' "
Mark Woods for the Detroit Free Press: "While continuing his rehabilitation from off-season ankle surgery, Ben Gordon made a whistle-stop visit across the Atlantic on Thursday to pledge his allegiance to Great Britain, vowing to play for the national team next summer. Gordon, 27, was born in London. 'I moved to New York when I was 10 months old,' he said. 'I would visit every summer when I was younger to visit my dad. But when I started to play competitively, I stopped coming, because summer's the time when you get better.' Gordon reconnected with his extended family two years ago on a journey back to the British capital. His father, Howard, has since moved to Africa, but there was a new set of relatives to meet who had only previously seen him, late at night, on the infrequent TV screenings of the NBA in a country where basketball is not a major sport -- and where he could walk down most streets unrecognized. 'I don't feel very British,' he said in Liverpool, where the Great Britain team beat Bosnia on Thursday night to qualify for next summer's European Championships. "But there are a lot of great memories. Of different chocolates and the food. I remember eating fish and chips out of newspaper. I love British chocolate. It's the best chocolate."
James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo: "NBA star Luol Deng treated Merseyside fans to a sporting masterclass as he helped Great Britain book their place at next summer’s European Championships on a dramatic night at the Echo Arena. The Chicago Bulls forward showed why he commands a salary of $12 million a year with a breathtaking haul of 38 points to end Bosnia’s stubborn resistance. Britain trailed with just 18 seconds to play but in a thrilling finish the outstanding Pops Mensah-Bonsu forced over-time and in the extra period Deng’s class shone through. Qualifying for the Europeans boosts Britain’s hopes of being handed a spot at the 2012 Olympics in London. 'I just wanted to come out tonight and be aggressive,' Deng said. 'I felt like I wasn’t getting any calls and I wanted the ref to notice. In the end I managed to get into a rhythm. The support we got here was great and we really appreciate it. Now I’m excited about playing for Britain in the finals next year. I love playing for GB and it was tough watching the Europeans last year when I was injured.' "
Nick Collins of the Telegraph: "A total of 288 players -- whose average height is about 6ft 6in -- are set to arrive in Istanbul for the opening ceremony of the international tournament today. But the sport's governing body, FIBA, said hotels in the capital had been forced to extreme lengths to accommodate the athletes for the tournament, marketed as 'a giant get-together.' The favourites for the title, the USA, are staying at the Four Seasons hotel while most teams including Iran -- who will face America in a group match on September 1 -- have taken rooms at the Marriott. Both hotels have reportedly ordered a number of extra long beds to accommodate their guests, with the Marriott ordering in more than 100 beds measuring 7 ft. Patrick Baumann, Secretary-General of FIBA, said: 'Giants of the sport need giant beds to sleep in peacefully. We'll do everything possible to ensure the best players in the world are given every comfort to help them reach peak performance.' A hotel manager added: 'These are very big boys to accommodate, and we have put in new beds and bed extensions to assist as much as we can in making their stay comfortable.' "
Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic: "Three months after a conference-finals run and a month before training camp, Steve Nash returned to find the Suns' house rearranged and a need for him to apply some feng shui concepts again. At 36, Nash has the onus to be great and galvanizing with five new Suns, a wing-loaded rotation and a dearth of size. 'I expect that from myself anyway,' Nash said after a workout. 'Whoever we march out there, I expect to lead the team and play at an extremely high level. I would expect that no matter who we had. I'll just embrace the challenge of plugging in new pieces, trying to make it work and make everyone feel good about what we're doing.' The changes began with Nash losing his third general manager since 2006. In June, Steve Kerr left to return to a TNT commentator job and more family time after failed contract talks changed his hope to return as Suns GM. 'I was sad to see him go,' said Nash, who visited Kerr this summer. 'He did a phenomenal job for us. I miss him already.' "
John McMullen of the Sports Network: "A statue honouring Scottie Pippen? My, how our hero worship has fallen. Before you start firing off the hate mail, understand I, like most NBA observers, loved Pippen's game. He was the consummate 'Robin' to the ultimate 'Batman' in Michael Jordan. He was the best 'Iceman,' M.J.'s 'Maverick' could ever ask for. But let's be honest, at the end of the day, Pippen was a sidekick. A sidekick that will be forever be displayed permanently in the United Center when the Bulls unveil a bronze statue of Pippen toward the end of the 2010-11 season. It's not Pippen's fault. In fact, the honour is probably more indicative of just how mediocre the Bulls were before and after the Jordan-era. It's not like everyone was clamoring for that Bob Love statue."
Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register: "Derek Fisher will fill in Friday as the host of 'Jim Rome is Burning' at 1:30 p.m. Pacific on ESPN ... and buddy Kobe Bryant will show up in the studio as a guest for Fisher to interview. Fisher said Bryant was a huge reason Fisher re-signed with the Lakers this offseason, so perhaps they’ll discuss that and the Lakers’ free-agent acquisitions. Or they’ll just chit-chat and entertain themselves and viewers. Brandon Jennings will also be a guest."

CollegeBlender - Blogwire - Popular Posts

2010-08-27 03:39:14 GMT

Call me old fashioned, tag me as a stick in the mud, label me as boring, but I hereby solemnly swear to never view one of these so-called "3D Movies" for as long as I shall live."Why, Courtney? Why do you refuse to get with the times and jump on the

current.com top stories

2010-06-27 17:22:09 GMT

The billboard features an American flag background and quotes the original phrase from the Pledge of Allegiance, before “under God” was inserted after “one nation,” in 1954. That was at the height of the Cold War and the addition was meant to distinguish the United States from the Soviet Union, which officially embraced atheism.

Set to be up for four weeks, the billboards – costing a total of $15,000 – are a July 4 project of the N.C. Secular Association, a coalition of groups such as Charlotte Atheists & Agnostics, the Ethical Humanist Society of the Triangle and Western North Carolina Atheists.

Their message: non-religious North Carolinians are patriots, too.

“We’re doing this to raise the consciousness of the people of North Carolina,” said Warren, 29, an electronic technician who served in the Marines from 1999-2004. “We want to let them know that not everybody here is religious. There are atheists in North Carolina and we expect to be recognized and treated like everybody else.”

The Pledge of Allegiance was penned in 1892 by a Baptist minister who left out any mention of religion. For generations, the Pledge has been recited by schoolchildren as they gazed at the American flag with their right hands over their hearts.

President Eisenhower signed the “under God” addition into law on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.

Over the years, the courts have been asked to rule on the constitutionality of the Pledge. Jehovah’s Witnesses, who swear loyalty to no other power but God, challenged the requirement that kids deliver the oath. And atheists have said that adding “under God” amounted to a violation of the constitutional ban on government endorsement of a particular religion.

“When the words ‘under God’ were inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance between ‘one nation’ and ‘indivisible,’ they made a lie out of both those ideals,” Joseph McDaniel Stewart, vice president of FreeThoughtAction and one of the N.C. coalition founders, said in an e-mail. “You can’t have an indivisible nation if you draw a line between the godly and godless. We all belong here.”

The billboard project is the latest sign that atheists – nationally and in North Carolina – are trying to boost their visibility and challenge conservative Christians in public forums. A recent series of assertive books by atheist authors such as Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris and British biologist Richard Dawkins have climbed national bestseller lists.

And when Dawkins came to Charlotte this year to speak at Queens University, local atheists sponsored a fundraiser for the Richard Dawkins Foundation.

Warren said more than 600 people have signed up on his group’s Web site (www.charlotteatheists.com). And its monthly gatherings usually attract about 50 people.

The Charlotte-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association declined to comment.

The Rev. Mark Harris, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in uptown Charlotte, said he was grateful that the local atheists’ financial resources “are so limited” that they could afford only one billboard here.

He called the decision to place that one on Billy Graham Parkway “at best, in poor taste and, at worst, a disgrace.”

Harris, who’s a leader in the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, also quoted Psalm 33 – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

“Anybody who looks at the United States or looks at countries like Great Britain, which have been governed by a succession of godly (officials), will see why I personally believe that that’s why these nations have been so blessed,” Harris added. “And any decline of Great Britain and America will be in step with a growing independence from God.”

http://www.thestate.com/2010/06/24/1348246/charlotte-atheist-groups-billboard.ht...

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CNN iReport - Latest

BarbRad — 2010-06-27 21:26:00 GMT

The 4th annual Fayetteville (Ark) Gay (LGBT) Pride Parade traveled proudly down Dickson Street on Saturday in spite of anti-parade demonstrators and a nationwide email campaign launched by the American Family Association to force Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan to cancel the parade. Instead, Jordan declared this past week LGBT Pride Week.

The focus of the furor was 10-year-old Will Phillips who was asked by NWA Pride to be the parade's Grand Marshall. The AFA declared that NWA Pride was guilty of child abuse and asked AFA's members and adherents to send emails to Jordan demanding the immediate cancellation of the Pride Parade. Jordan refused.

Last October, Will Phillips refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance because many, including LGBT people, do not enjoy "liberty and justice." His fans say he "stood up for what is right by sitting down."

Features | guardian.co.uk

Will Dean — 2010-06-27 18:00:17 GMT

There was football fever at Glastonbury, the Lightning Seeds raised hopes on Saturday, but 24 hours later it all fell apart

Normally the giant flags in the crowds at Glastonbury pledge allegiance to things such as sausages and Dizzee Rascal, but this year they were a barometer of World Cup support. In fact, about the only place free of football paraphernalia was an eerily empty spot around the corner from the Dance Village normally reserved for staff camping. On Saturday this area was one of the few places you could swing a jester's hat without taking a steward's eye out. But on Sunday afternoon more than 30,000 England fans took a break from gigging to squint at a big screen perched atop a lorry there. As the sage words of Alan Hansen boomed across the field, the party atmosphere turned to despair with England's painful defeat.

The day before, an implausibly huge crowd had assembled for the Lightning Seeds' midday slot on the Pyramid stage. After 45 minutes of mild applause, Ian Broudie softly started singing "It's coming home", and the sun-pelted fans sprang up to yell along to Three Lions. This afternoon, we wondered why he bothered.

Will Dean

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

CNN iReport - Latest

BarbRad — 2010-06-27 13:31:20 GMT

Fayetteville, Arkansas. June 26, 2010.

LGBT people and their friends held the 4th annual Pride Parade today. As always, protesters let their presence been seen and heard. However, rumor has it that Fayetteville was spared an appearance by Phelps and his pseudo-Christian group because they got lost; truly a miracle.

Phelps and his group regularly protest at military funerals and shout that God is glad the service people died.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan declared the past week LGBT Pride Week, and allowed 10-year-old Will Phillips to be the Grand Marshall of the Pride Parade in spite of the national email protest launched by the American Family Association, a Christian Evangelical advocacy group.

Will Phillips is the child who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at his school because "not all U.S. citizens enjoy liberty and justice, particularly LGBT people."

CNN iReport - Latest

BarbRad — 2010-06-26 22:47:59 GMT

Fayetteville, Ark., June 26, 2010

Today, the LGBT Pride Parade enjoyed its 4th annual run in spite of a nationwide email campaign initiated by the American Family Association to pressure Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan into cancelling it.

The American Family Association, a large and powerful Christian Evangelical group, called on all Christians to send a pre-written email to the Mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas, to cancel the annual Gay Pride Parade because a 10-year-old boy, Will Phillips, was chosen to be the parade's Grand Marshall.

The AFA said that Phillips and his parents were being used by gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgender people, and that his presence in the Gay Pride Parade was an instance of "child abuse".

In answer to the AFA's email campaign, Mayor Jordan named the Month of June as LGBT Pride Month and this past week as LGBT Pride Week. He said the parade would take place as planned.

Will Phillips is the 10-year-old boy who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance because all people, LGBT people in particular, did not yet enjoy "liberty and justice." Phillips said he would refuse to say the Pledge until all Americans had equal rights, like lesbians and gays having the right to marry.

Though many feared violence from the political right, the parade was held peacefully. Demonstrators carrying crosses stood quietly or preached, but did not disrupt the parade

Bleacher Report - Front Page

Stephen Carroll — 2010-06-25 21:34:36 GMT

Although the controversy will never end regarding college football conference supremacy, when the various rankings are released, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is most frequently seen at the top of the list.

It has been that way for the past decade at least. The SEC promotes what is generally considered to be the most brutal conference schedule from top to bottom in both divisions of competition.

The Arkansas Razorbacks have the battle scars and bruises to prove it.

No doubt, Arkansas puts a dangerous and talented football team on the field, year after year. Yet, in the framework of the SEC, the best of teams in the college landscape would not fare much better if they had to muscle such a schedule as Arkansas. Squaring off against competition at Georgia, Florida, LSU, Alabama, etc., doesn't give conference members any respite.

Beginning with the coach Houston Nutt era, the Razorbacks have had three winning seasons in conference within the SEC: 1998, 2002, and 2006.

The Razorbacks posted a 7-1 winning schedule in conference play in 2006, which included the thrilling overtime win against the Tide. Nevertheless, for 12 seasons, Arkansas teams have endured 9 non-winning conference records.

Is this something to be ashamed of? Hardly.

At this juncture, however, the Arkansas administration and faithful fan-base need to ask if this is a world they are willing to live in perpetually.

The SEC environment will pretty much be this way for the foreseeable future, and beyond.

Chip Brown at Orangebloods.com recently reported June 17, 2010, that, "Multiple sources in the Big 12 told Orangebloods.com , Arkansas has put out feelers about a possible move to the Big 12 to reconnect with former Southwest Conference rivals like Texas and Texas A&M. Those sources said Arkansas currently doesn't have the votes among the Big 12 schools to join the league. But those sources said they would need to see how the television money would work if adding a school or two to know if they'd vote for expansion."

Given Brown's high batting average during the recent expansion events, I would have to give this report some credibility.

The prospect of a Big 12 move by Arkansas is at least on the radar and is a consideration for the program.

Given that Arkansas is arguably in the most powerful and successful conference, there is still plenty of room to explore why Arkansas would consider such a transition.

Why would Arkansas leave the money and security of the SEC for the Big 12?

First of all, when considering the last century of football played by Arkansas, their associations with Texas, Texas A&M, as well as Texas Tech are extensive. Restoring those traditional rivalries has an aesthetic appeal. Social histories cannot be underestimated.

Second, Arkansas would do well to move into a Big 12 North division recently vacated by the Cornhuskers. This would be an ideal circumstance for the Razorbacks given the power vacuum created by this loss.

The path to a North Division championship and a berth in the Big 12 championship game, while still arduous, is likely a more plausible route for the Hogs. Of course this scenario is dependent on division structure in the Big 12 remaining unaltered.

Third, a transition to the Big 12 makes the idea of a national championship more accessible for Arkansas.

While I am certainly not trying to disparage the strength of the Big 12 Conference, Arkansas' chances of coming out of the Big 12 North, winning the Big 12 Championship Game and finding a spot in the title game are much greater than their current alignment in the SEC.

Arkansas Athletic Director has recently stated that the Razorbacks have "no interest" in joining the Big 12.

Well, right now, of course they don't.

That's how conference expansion speak goes. Unless the deal is ready to move, you pledge undying allegiance to your current conference affiliation. Missouri did it with slightly less than absolute fervor and look at the aftermath of acrimony that has resulted.

If television money can be guaranteed at an acceptable level, Arkansas to the Big 12 makes sense in many ways.

I'd keep my eyes on this possibility.

Refinery

2010-06-25 20:00:44 GMT

We're never one to turn down a good cupcake, (if you're a consistent reader you already know our love for baked goods borders on obsessive). So imagine our thrill when we heard that hot on the heels of the Lady Gaga cookie, NYC bakery CRUMBS Bake Shop is debuting the limited-edition Twilight:Eclipse cupcake, inspired by Bella's two loves: Vamp Edward and werewolf Taylor. Pledge your allegiance before the movie comes out next week—The Jacob has decadent chocolate cake frosted with chocolate cream cheese, while The Edward is filled with raspberry preserve, and is frosted with vanilla cream cheese encircled with white and yellow sugars. Since we're still on the fence of this epic debate, we're gonna go with both—nothin' wrong with having our cup-cake and eating it too!

Available at CRUMBS Bake Shop, 1675 Broadway (between 5th and 6th avenues);212-399-3100 and online at crumbs.com until July 11. To see all CRUMBS locations, click here.

Shakesville

Melissa McEwan (noreply@blogger.com) — 2010-06-25 12:27:00 GMT

Remember Will Phillips, the 10-year-old Arkansas kid who refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance in class because the continued prohibition on same-sex marriage in most of the US renders the words "liberty and justice for all" meaningless to him…? Well, he has been invited to be the Grand Marshal of the Fayetteville Gay Pride Parade.

And that CANNOT STAND according to American Family Values Children Christian Liberty Freedom Patriot Association Foundation Organization!!!

The American Family Association, based in Tupelo, Miss., has called Will's selection to be grand marshal "a form of child abuse," and it has called on the city's mayor to "cancel his plans to issue a proclamation celebrating homosexual behavior and gay pride."

"We believe that it goes beyond the pale for adults to exploit a 10-year-old child for dark political purposes," said Bryan Fischer, the director of issue analysis at AFA. "He is too young to understand. There is nothing about homosexual conduct to be proud of and much to be ashamed of."

The AFA, according to Fischer, has sent an "action alert" to its members in Arkansas, and he says they have deluged the mayor's and city council's office with e-mails "asking him to stop this charade." Though there are no plans to actively protest at the parade, Fischer said, "as of noon Thursday our records show that the mayor and city council had received 12,300 e-mails asking them to stop the parade."

You know, it's funny—I can't recall the AFA ever issuing a press release about their passion to stop Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist ~~Church~~ Family Cult from putting "Gods Hates Fags" signs into the hands of five-year-olds.

Apart from the hypocrisy and evident bigotry emanating from the AFA, I've just got to call big-time bullshit on their contention that a 10-year-old is "too young to understand" the concept of equality or to have begun to rudimentarily develop his own set of ethics. A long time ago, I posted excepts from a journal I kept when I was 9, which included my contempt for an episode of Knight Rider centering sex and murder (instead of focusing on the technology and action stuff I loved, in no small part because it didn't feel upsetting to me).

The assertion that Will is too young to have come to his own conclusions about "homosexual conduct"—especially given that he has quite evidently been allowed the exposure to opposing viewpoints—is way more child-hating than offering him the chance to stand up for his beliefs at a Gay Pride Parade ever could be.

But I guess arguing he's being exploited is easier than admitting a 10-year-old kid is capable of more sophisticated thought than "God said so! I know because my dad said so! And he knows because his pastor said so! Because God said so!" which is the basis for the entire collection of unsupportable bigotries they call an ideology.

Wikio - Feminism

2010-06-24 11:28:45 GMT

One of of our youngest visible allies, Will Phillips , who has refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance until there is equality for LGBTs, is to serve as Grand Marshall of the Northwest Arkansas Pride Parade. In wonderful news, Fayetteville's mayor, Lionel Jordan has issued a proclamation supporting the event. This has earned the ire of Tim Wildmon, the head of the American Family Association and...

Source : Pam's House Blend (subscribe)

Explore : Arkansas, LGBT, States, US

Queerty

ryant — 2010-06-24 13:37:59 GMT

Attacks on GOProud from the Family Research Council are put in perspective when you see the American Family Association's attack on Will Phillips, the 10-year-old who refused to say the pledge of allegiance, whose participation in NW Arkansas' Gay Pride Parade, where Phillips is grand marshal, is described as "deviant sexual approval." Permalink | Post a [...]

BCNN1

2010-06-24 15:35:09 GMT

Atheist groups in North Carolina have posted billboards across the Tar Heel State to protest the words, "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pam's House Blend - Front Page

Pam Spaulding — 2010-06-24 11:28:45 GMT

One of of our youngest visible allies, Will Phillips, who has refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance until there is equality for LGBTs, is to serve as Grand Marshall of the Northwest Arkansas Pride Parade. In wonderful news, Fayetteville's mayor, Lionel Jordan has issued a proclamation supporting the event.

This has earned the ire of Tim Wildmon, the head of the American Family Association and his staff of bigots. An Action Alert has been issued claiming that Will Phillips -- who has appeared on CNN and international TV declaring support for LGBTs -- is being "exploited."

After you read the text of this trash, juxtaposing it with the imagery of this Alert is shocking -- a smiling, pious visage of Tim Wildmon on the masthead, his organization calling for the harassment of the mayor for the proclamation to make him withdraw his support, but the comments directed at Phillips are particularly disgusting.

“Dear Mayor Jordan and Fayetteville City Council:
I am shocked to learn that the city of Fayetteville is issuing a proclamation in support of the homosexual activist group, Northwest Arkansas Pride.
It’s offensive enough to sensibilities that they are going to parade their deviant lifestyle on the streets of the city.
It’s even more abhorrent that the city is supporting it, knowing very well that the organizers of this event are exploiting children to push their radical sexualizing event.
I implore you to withdraw the proclamation and focus on issues that promote a healthy and safe lifestyle, rather than one that is risky and dangerous.
Sincerely,”

And it doesn't stop there. AfterElton features even more vile quotes from Wildmon. I guess evil runs in the family.

AFA President Tim Wildmon says, “It’s shameful that adults would abuse a brain-washed child in this way,” said AFA president Tim Wildmon. “He’s obviously just parroting the nonsense he’s been told by manipulative adults. For gay activists to trot out this child and make him the poster child for promoting unnatural sexual expression is a form of child abuse."

The folks in Arkansas need your help to fight back -- Will's mother, Laura Phillips, considers Wildmon's campaign frightening and tantamount to threats against her child. His father, John Phillips, said:

We will NOT be cowed by National Bully groups or anyone else! Our family has attended this parade for nearly 5 years and we would be doing so even if Will WASN'T Grand Marshall.
People can voice there support by visiting the City of Fayetteville's Facebook page and commenting on the wall.

These letterbombs by the AFA and its mailing list of fundamentalist stooges need to be countered, and NWA Center for Equality has put out its own action alert, calling for people to contact Mayor Jordan and the City Council to let them know that the proclamation should stand and that the hateful mail targeting a 10 year old is not only unneighborly, but shockingly base.

It's important that they hear from you, particularly if you are Arkansas residents. Most of the mail they are receiving so far is from out of state on both sides.

Tell Mayor Jordan and the City Council that you support the Pride Parade and the city’s effort to draw LGBT visitors with its funding of All OUT June. Title your email: YES to Parade!
Ward 1, Position 1 Adella Gray (479) 442-4958 ward1_pos1@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 1, Position 2 Brenda Thiel (479) 442-3095 bthiel@cox.net
Ward 2, Position 1 Kyle Cook (479) 521-7632 ward2_pos1@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 2, Position 2 Matthew Petty (479) 595-8303 (Email preferred) citycouncil@matthewpetty.org
Mayor Mayor Lioneld Jordan (479) 575-8330 mayor@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 3, Position 1 Robert K. Rhoads (479) 973-5200 rrhoads@hallestill.com
Ward 3, Position 2 Bobby Ferrell (479) 442-3535 ward3_pos2@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 4, Position 1 Shirley Lucas (479) 442-4612 ward4_pos1@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 4, Position 2 Sarah Lewis (479) 263-2087 sarahelainelewis@gmail.com
Say it in your OWN words, that Fayetteville is right to celebrate Pride and to attract LGBT visitors. Let them know how you feel. Just title your email: YES to Parade!
A little more about our opponents
The form emails are being solicited and generated by the American Family Association, a national organization with a budget of $14 million. We don’t know yet where these emails are coming from, but their strategy often involves contacting a nationwide list of equality opponents to flood the inboxes of elected officials.

As always, your emails should be polite and not stoop to the level of the AFA's sheeple.

Fool.com Headlines

Christopher Barker — 2010-06-23 19:49:08 GMT

Value hounds may pledge allegiance to the patriot of coal.

Pharyngula

2010-06-23 19:19:38 GMT

Easy. We all know the answer to this one.

Should 'Under God' Be Removed From Pledge Of Allegiance?

Yes. 45.3%
No. 52.4%
I don't have an opinion either way. 2.2%

Read the comments on this post...

RVANews » Features

Alison Brown — 2010-06-23 13:59:30 GMT

If your Stars and Stripes has seen better days, take it to any Puritan Cleaners location to get it spruced up in time for the Fourth of July. They clean American flags for FREE, as part of their "Pledge of Allegiance" program.

CBN.com - CBN News

2010-06-23 00:00:00 GMT

Atheist groups in North Carolina have posted billboards across the Tar Heel State to protest the words, "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pam's House Blend - Front Page

Pam Spaulding — 2010-06-23 01:19:04 GMT

It has to be a raucous celebration tonight at the Elaine Marshall watch party in Raleigh tonight. She beat the candidate of the Beltway establishment, Cal Cunningham, in a commanding win in today's runoff. The people have spoken...again. (WRAL):

Marshall, North Carolina's secretary of state, defeated former Army prosecutor Cal Cunningham in Tuesday's second round of voting. With 38 percent of precincts reporting, Marshall had 62 percent of the vote.
"It's energizing when people listen to your message and support you," an ecstatic Marshall said in an interview with The Associated Press after calling her mother to share the news.
Marshall argued during her campaign that she has advocated on behalf of average citizens and fought against powerful industries. She portrayed herself as an outsider in the race despite holding statewide office for more than a decade.
Paula Suttles, a teacher from Charlotte, said both Marshall and Cunningham were good candidates.
"But Elaine has more experience than Cunningham," said Suttles, 44. "I know it's not the popular thing to say this year, but experience matters. You have to have competent people in office."
The results were a blow to Democratic Party leaders in Washington who recruited Cunningham to the race and spent more than $100,000 to boost his campaign. Cunningham, a Lexington attorney seeking to become the first Iraq War veteran in the Senate, had argued that he was the best candidate to defeat Republican Sen. Richard Burr in November.

Elaine comments on her win tonight:

Since Mr. Cunningham decided to push for a runoff, one of the heavy casualties of the decision was a draining of resources battling one another -- Marshall is now left with $200K, while Richard Burr has a handsome $5 million war chest. It's time to get rid of this man, and he is very beatable, and a long legislative record of vile votes.

Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sep 2004)
Voted YES on constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on banning gay adoptions in DC. (Jul 1999)
Voted NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. (May 1998)
Supports anti-flag desecration amendment. (Mar 2001)
Rated 13% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 0% by the HRC, indicating an anti-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
Apply 14th amendment protections to pre-born fetuses. (Jun 2008)
Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
Amend Constitution to define traditional marriage. (Jun 2008)
Constitutionally prohibit flag desecration. (May 2009)

And here's why Marshall is in a strong position to deep-six Burr:

Democrats got their more electable candidate for the fall by nominating Elaine Marshall to run against Richard Burr tonight. Qualitative arguments were made over the last six months that Cal Cunningham would be the stronger nominee but polling data has repeatedly shown that Marshall is the stronger candidate:
-PPP has tested both Marshall and Cunningham against Burr every month since August, and Marshall has polled closer to Burr in every single one of those polls. While that discrepancy could have been explained by Marshall's higher name recognition for a while, she continued to poll 4 points better against Burr even after Cunningham's television advertising campaign during the primary. On our May poll Burr led Marshall by 1 and Cunningham by 5 while on our June poll Burr led Marshall by 7 and Cunningham by 11.
...Marshall is looking considerably more competitive against Richard Burr at this point in the election cycle than Kay Hagan did against Elizabeth Dole two years ago. Our most recent poll found Marshall down 46-39 to Burr. In late June of 2008 Dole led Hagan 51-37 in our polling.

Learn more:
http://ElaineMarshall.com

Make a contribution:
http://ElaineMarshall.com/Donate

Become a fan on Facebook:
http://Facebook.com/Elaine4NC

Celebrity gossip juicy celebrity rumors Hollywood gossip blog from Perez Hilton

Perez Hilton — 2010-06-22 22:15:37 GMT

Amazing. What a courageous and smart young man! Remember Will Phillips? He was the ten year old who made headlines after he refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance until gay, lesbian, and transgender people have the same rights as everyone else! Phillips has made such an impact in the fight for equal rights that [...]

Atheist News and Views | Published News

2010-06-22 18:05:03 GMT

It’s nice to see an excerpt from the Pledge of Allegiance — as it was originally written — on a billboard: Thanks to the North Carolina Secular Association, that ad’s home for the next month is will be along the Billy Graham Parkway in North Carolina We believe the evidence clearly demonstrates that our Founders [...]

8 Vote(s)

Blog of Rights: Official Blog of the American Civil Liberties Union

Jennie Pasquarella, ACLU of Southern California — 2010-06-22 18:09:00 GMT

For many immigrants in this country, the chance to take the oath of allegiance to the United States and become sworn in as a U.S. citizen is a moment they dream about and work years to achieve. But for Tarek Hamdi and many other Muslim immigrants around the country, the dream is tarnished by racial and religious discrimination in the naturalization process.

Tarek, a 50-year-old man born in Cairo, Egypt, has lived in the United States since he was a teenager. Over the last three decades, he built what many would consider an ideal American life, marrying his American-born college sweetheart and raising four daughters, all U.S. citizens. He has a successful career as a civil engineer, has never been arrested or charged with a crime, and is a man of faith. As a practicing Muslim, Tarek has stayed involved in his religious community and in accordance with the religious principle, zakat, regularly donates money to support humanitarian causes, both Muslim and secular, for those people he believes are most in need.

Tarek considers himself more American than Egyptian. Yet, despite the fact that he bears all of the qualifications for citizenship, having fully established that he is of "good moral character," our government treats him as suspect because of his religion, just like they have apparently treated so many other naturalization applicants who are Muslim or from Muslim countries.

Naturalization applications, like Tarek's, by law must be processed in six months but his stretched out for nine years. He endured endless scrutiny and frustrating delays because too many Muslim applicants are presumed suspects. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) finally denied his application, claiming that evidence from the FBI showed that he made a single donation to the Benevolence International Foundation (BIF) and thus failed to disclose his "association" with the charity on his application. Tarek donated that money to BIF in 2000, believing that they were providing important humanitarian relief around the world, two years before the charity was shut down by the Treasury Department as an alleged financier of terrorism. Tarek has no more association with the BIF than he does to the American Cancer Society, to whom he also donated money. Tarek's story is unfortunately the story of far too many Muslim immigrants. In the Los Angeles Field Office, Muslim applicants appearing for their naturalization examinations are often asked detailed questions about their religion, including how often they pray and what mosque they attend — none of which is relevant to their eligibility for citizenship. They are singled out for lawful donations to Muslim charities and forced to respond to extensive "requests for evidence" reaching so far back that it is impossible to fully comply. Many are brow-beaten into becoming FBI informants in order to have their applications finally processed. And again and again, Muslim applicants are denied naturalization for bogus reasons.

Congress abolished racism from the naturalization process nearly 60 years ago, making the dream of citizenship possible, at long last, for all people, not just Western European immigrants and African descendants. In 1952, Congress proclaimed in the Immigration and Nationality Act that "[t]he right of a person to become a naturalized citizen of the United States shall not be denied or abridged because of race."

While outright prohibited, racial and religious discrimination again infects the naturalization process, disparaging the very meaning of the Constitution to which many new Americans seek to pledge their allegiance. The ACLU of Southern California, together with the National Immigration Law Center and the Council on American Islamic Relations, filed a Freedom of Information Act request to uncover the USCIS naturalization policies predicated on racial, religious and national origin profiling. The ACLU/SC also filed a federal court lawsuit on behalf of Tarek Hamdi seeking that a judge finally restore his dream and decide on his "Americanness" based on the content of his proven character, not the color of his skin or the god to whom he prays.

Towleroad News #gay

Andy Towle — 2010-06-22 14:30:57 GMT

The amazing 10-year-old Will Phillips will serve as Grand Marshal for the Northwest Arkansas Gay Pride parade in Fayetteville this weekend. Phillips made headlines in November of last year for refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance at his school...

ChicagoNow

Cate Manning — 2010-06-22 14:15:00 GMT

How patriotic are you? Find out here!

Joe. My. God.

Joe (noreply@blogger.com) — 2010-06-22 09:55:00 GMT

Ten year-old Will Phillips, who made national news last year when he refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance until LGBT people have full equality, will be the Grand Marshal of Northwest Arkansas Pride.

"It's wrong for anyone to be treated differently just because of the way they are born," said Phillips, who declares himself as an ambassador for equal rights. Will's name may sound familiar because he was the West Fork student who decided not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance this past fall. Will said he didn't stand because not everyone is being treated equal. He will be the parade's youngest grand marshal ever, but he said age shouldn't make a difference. "Because I'm a person, I may be 10, but I'm a person," said Will. The parade is put on by NMA Pride. They said they are aware Will's age could be an issue, but he's no ordinary 10-year-old. "He's literally the last half of the year been all over the country and spoken to thousands of people," said Jay Phillips, Will's father. NWA Pride also said they market their parade a little differently than some of the other pride parades around the country. "We're not San Francisco, New York, we're pretty much a family affair, so it's pretty safe to be there," said Joney Harper, creator of NWA Pride.

Will's parents are taking a bit of a beating in the comments of the linked newspaper story. Give them a little support if you have a minute.

(Tipped by JMG reader Mark)

CNN iReport - Latest

TFMarne — 2010-06-21 13:35:04 GMT

By Maj. Stephen Holt, 2nd HBCT Public Affairs

2nd “Spartan” Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – “I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands …”

It goes by many names – Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, and the Red, White and Blue – but, no matter what you call it, the United States flag represents a free and unified country, indivisible, with freedom and justice for all.

However, for one U.S. servicemember, one, specific U.S. flag provides a far more personal representation. Although worn, tattered, and frayed at the edges, it has witnessed the highs and lows of six different military deployments and has flown in five different countries.

This specific flag has special meaning for Col. Chuck E. A. Sexton, the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Commander, 3rd Infantry Division, who has carried it with him for the past 24 years. The respect he has for this flag is a quality bestowed upon him by his parents.

“It’s more than just the cloth and material that gives this flag its special meaning. It represents the cause for which Soldiers have given their lives. It represents the Soldiers who serve their country, putting themselves into harm’s way, preserving the freedoms we enjoy today,” Col. Sexton said.

“Both my mother and father’s families were immigrants to the United States, who left Europe to get away from oppression and slavery in Eastern and Western Europe,” said Col. Sexton, a New York City native. “When they came to this country, they valued the country so much they defended it during World War II. They taught me as a kid growing up, to always respect my country and flag.”

Respect for the flag has carried over to Col. Sexton’s military service. After his initial enlistment in the Army as a private, he was commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant in July 1985.

“It’s a part of you. It’s something that’s very comforting to bring with me each time I go,” said the self-assured New Yorker. “When I flew it in Somalia, it got some battle damage there. It also got some damage in the first Gulf War. It’s very comforting to have it with you. Usually I keep it folded now, because it’s frayed at the edges in a couple of places and it’s got some shrapnel rips in it.

“In the first Gulf War the stars and stripes got a little greyer from the oil fires. It took a little bit of shrapnel from Iraqi artillery and it put a couple of rips in it. The wind was really strong then, so it kind of unraveled a little bit at the ends too.”

Colonel Sexton said he remembers, with clarity, a windy day, Feb. 27, 1991, after they captured the Jalibah Airfield, a place south of Tallil, along Highway 8, during Operation Desert Storm.

“After we captured the airfield, at eight o’clock in the morning and things were still smoking, we pulled out our flags because we had them stowed during the attack. I mounted mine on top of the track. It was for a good reason – part of it was for morale and the other was so we wouldn’t get hit by our own aircraft. It was a really good feeling to see the good old Stars and Stripes unfurled and flying in the breeze. You heard a lot of the guys cheering and it was a good feeling, seeing that flag flying.”

It flew every day, and was then re-folded until his next deployment, when he was called to serve in Somalia in 1993, where it was unfurled and once more flew on a daily basis.

“Now, when someone asks me to re-enlist them, or asks me to promote them, I always bring it with me,” said Col. Sexton. “It’s kind of neat to look over the last 20-plus years and the number of people that have stood under that flag with their hands up swearing an oath – either an Oath of Re-enlistment, or an oath to our nation. It’s easily in the hundreds now.

“It’s even neater to watch the Soldiers you’ve been with. It causes it to become more tangible and more of a living thing. That is the most critical part – it represents the people. That’s what makes our country great. It’s the people it represents, instead of one specific leader. The flag talks about that continuity,” he said, with a knowing smile.

Ward 1, Position 1	Adella Gray	(479) 442-4958	ward1_pos1@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 1, Position 2	Brenda Thiel	(479) 442-3095	bthiel@cox.net
Ward 2, Position 1	Kyle Cook	(479) 521-7632	ward2_pos1@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 2, Position 2	Matthew Petty	(479) 595-8303 (Email preferred)	citycouncil@matthewpetty.org
Mayor	Mayor Lioneld Jordan	(479) 575-8330	mayor@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 3, Position 1	Robert K. Rhoads	(479) 973-5200	rrhoads@hallestill.com
Ward 3, Position 2	Bobby Ferrell	(479) 442-3535	ward3_pos2@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 4, Position 1	Shirley Lucas	(479) 442-4612	ward4_pos1@ci.fayetteville.ar.us
Ward 4, Position 2	Sarah Lewis	(479) 263-2087	sarahelainelewis@gmail.com