Black Legislator Says No Racial Gerrymandering Is A Non-Starter

Confused by the headline? You should be. State Senator Mamie Locke is calling any plan that doesn’t involve a new black majority district a “nonstarter.” What they want to do is draw the current 4th district, relatively compact at the moment, into a dragon looking scribble-scrabble that picks up as many black voters as possible. Their goal is to correct a racial imbalance that has supposedly led to only one African American Congressman, Bobby Scott, in our current delegation. Senator Locke went on to say that it could be done without “significant racial gerrymandering.” (click here to compare the maps and see for yourself.)

Donna Brazile, Interim DNC Chairwoman.

I personally think this is absolute insanity, but don’t take my word for it. Listen to what Donna Brazile, the current Democratic National Committee Chairwoman, said on C-SPAN a few days ago:

“I’m worried about the proliferation of what I call the so called minority-majority districts that on one hand has given African Americans, Hispanics, and others a significant number of increases in the United States Congress; but at what cost? At what price? Are they able to then take those districts and then leverage them for economic gains or political gains in the legislature? Are we able to elect another Duvall Patrick in the political arena? We have a lot of steps to take for us before we can finally claim that we are post-racial”

On the same panel was African American State Representative Bakari Sellers from South Carolina. His father happens to be famed Civil Rights activist Cleveland Sellers, who was the only person convicted in the Orangeburg Massacre of 1968. The younger Sellers had this to say on the topic:

“The type of politician that I desire, that I want, especially an African-American politician, can and should be able to win the 35% district. I just think they should have that ability in a 35% district to go out and reach across lines… In South Carolina, what no one will tell you is this simple fact. You cannot run statewide from the black district. You cannot run statewide effectively from the black district… Because it’s the perception that you are concerned about, it’s a box, you are only concerned about African Americans.”

Apparently Mamie Locke and those who support this plan would disagree.

BRICS Conference Demands End To Dollar Dominance

A 1928 dollar.

I saw this coming years ago, since I was 19 to be exact. People called me crazy, they said the dollar would never fall as the world reserve currency, but alas, I was right, they were wrong. Too bad we will all suffer for it in the end. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are tired of our currency manipulation games. They are tired of food and energy prices being inflated because of our policy of currency debasement. They don’t have confidence that we will ever be able to repay our debt and so they want to change the world monetary system and replace the dollar as its linchpin. What does that mean for us? If the dollar is ditched by the major powers, as is already in the process of happening, its value will plummet and your paycheck will buy far less than it used to.

International Monetary Fund Tells the US To Step Their Game Up

The IMF is telling the US it must take serious measures to reduce its debt and deficit before the rest of the world dumps their bonds and sends America into an economic tailspin. Sorry progressives, but simply taxing the rich wont work. If you’re rich, you can afford to move to some island to avoid paying any taxes. And, given our incredibly complex tax code, you could also stay here and end up like GE: paying nothing at all. Now if we simplify the tax code and move to a FairTax or Flat Tax, many of the rich will actually pay more in taxes and so will GE. Closing all the loopholes and lowering the actual tax rate is the best solution out there for the revenue side of the equation.

On the other hand, spending must be cut, and massively at that. If we don’t take action soon on both these measures, there won’t be any money for anyone’s pet programs. Not only that, but the paper our Federal Reserve Notes are printed on will be worth more than their face value. Look up what happened in Zimbabwe for some real horror stories about what happens when you need a wheelbarrow full of money to buy bread. Right now about 60% of our deficit is covered by printing money. That is simply unsustainable.

Federa Debt Held By The Public - Congressional Budget Office

France Shows America How War Should Be Conducted In the Ivory Cost

For the record, I was against the war in Libya, but when we go to war, I feel it should be done right. France had the right idea with Gbabgo in the Ivory Cost. The guy was slaughtering his people and France went in with special forces and captured him. Meanwhile in Libya, we are still trying to figure out both what we are doing and who is in charge.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Facing Indictment For Fraud and Corruption

Despite being Jewish, I’m hardly a fan of Israel. Corruption there is widespread, like this instance of their Foreign Minister allegedly receiving millions of dollars through fake companies while he was serving in various government offices. There are reports that a Palestinian State may be in the works (again) and all this while Israel has showed tremendous restraint after the latest round of rocket attacks from Gaza. Is it really time for peace in the Middle East? Doubtful, but it always makes for a good political prop around election time in America.

EPA: New Radiation Highs in Milk and Drinking Water

The nuclear disaster in Japan has fallen off many radar screens, but not those of the good folks at Forbes Magazine. I don’t want to scare anyone or cause widespread panic, so head over and read this article at your own risk. It has also been reported that the EPA has raised their acceptable limits since the crisis, but I won’t get into that one either…

Norfolk Schools May Not Need More Money After All

Wouldn’t it have been great if the board had done their job, balanced the budget, and then found out they were getting more money? Maybe then they could have re-hired people or increased funding for some program. Instead they are still waiting around to see what the city will do and if their health care costs will really decrease. More Federal money is great, but it’s only temporary and at some point they will have to come to grips with reality. At least they aren’t planning to spend $651,000 buying IPads like Virginia Beach…

State Police to Step-Up HOV and Speeding Enforcement

Last, but certainly not least, we have this little “public service” announcement from The Virginian-Pilot. At the request of concerned citizens, state police will be checking for HOV violators and those speeding on their way to work. I guess announcing it ahead of time accomplishes more than doing it out of the blue. Great PR work on this one.