Looks like the high cost of gasoline has turned cooking oil into a hot item.....to steal

Used cooking oil becomes hot theft commodity

By Garance Burke

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — A few years ago, drums of used french fry grease were only of interest to a small network of underground biofuel brewers, who would use the slimy oil to power their souped-up antique Mercedes.

Now, restaurants from Berkeley, Calif. to Sedgwick, Kan. are reporting thefts of old cooking oil worth thousands of dollars by rustlers who are refining it into barrels of biofuel in backyard stills.

"It's like a war zone going on right now over grease," said David Levenson, who owns a grease hauling business in San Francisco's Mission District. "We're seeing more and more people stealing grease because it lets them stay away from the pump, but it's hurting our bottom line."

Levenson, who converted the engine in his '83 Mercedes to run on straight canola oil, has built up contracts to collect the liquid leftovers from 400 restaurants in the last two years.

Last week when his pump truck arrived at Thee Parkside, a dive bar known for its chili-cheese fries, his driver found someone had already helped himself to their barrel of yellow oil.

Grease is transformed into fuel through a chemical process called transesterification, which removes glycerine and adds methanol to the oil, leaving a thinner product that can power a diesel engine. Biodiesel can also be blended with petroleum diesel, and blends of the alternative fuel are now sold at 1,400 gas stations across the country.

But as the price of diesel shoots up, so, too, does the value of grease.

In the last three years, the price of soybean oil — the main feedstock for biodiesel made in the United States — has tripled. Last week, a gallon of crude soybean oil fetched 66 cents on the open market, according to the National Biodiesel Board.

Those kinds of numbers have encouraged biofuel enthusiasts to plunder restaurants' greasy waste, and have even spurred the City of San Francisco to get into the grease-trap cleaning business.

"Restaurants and staff are no longer looking at this material as trash, they're looking at is as something that's about to go into city vehicles," said Karri Ving, who runs the city's new waste cooking oil collection program. "Unless you lock down every trash can, thefts are going to happen."

Drivers for Blue Sky Bio-Fuels, a grease hauler that also manufactures biodiesel for San Francisco's municipal program, often find the 300-gallon dumpster they store outside the Oakland Coliseum nearly dry, despite the dozens of concessions stands that regularly dump their oil there. Losses at that one site alone have cost the company $3,700 in foregone oil revenues in the last year, said Wesley Caddell, the Oakland firm's business developer.

In Kansas, Healy Biodiesel reports thousands of dollars in losses from used cooking oil heists from restaurants near Sedgwick, about 20 miles north of Wichita.

Standard Biodiesel in Seattle recently started working with police to try to catch the fly-by-night home-brewers who are pilfering up to 30,000 gallons of the oil they collect from restaurants every month.

Company officials say oil rustlers typically siphon their supplies into drums of their own, which they take to backyard gins to be brewed for personal use.

As more customers seek alternatives to petroleum-based fuels, biodiesel production has grown from the grassroots to become a multimillion dollar industry. A combination of government subsidies, tax incentives and high oil prices have increased demand for ethanol and biodiesel, which can also be made from animal fat.

The National Biodiesel Board reports that U.S. production of biodiesel reached 500 million gallons last year, up from just 75 million gallons in 2005.

To manufacture the renewable fuel legally, biodiesel producers must register with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Biodiesel consumers must also pay the government taxes to help with road upkeep.

So far, members of the National Biodiesel Board haven't reported feedstock thefts, but that doesn't mean they aren't happening on a small scale, said Amber Thurlo Pearson, a spokeswoman for the industry's national trade association.

"We are of course opposed to the alleged selfish, personal-use theft of feedstock that could otherwise go to make product to benefit the U.S.," Pearson said.

San Francisco started its program, SFGreaseCycle, to cut down on the millions it spends each year to dislodge fats, oils and grease clogging the sewers, Ving said. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission eventually hopes to power its fleet of buses, fire trucks and emergency vehicles with biodiesel made from local restaurants' old oil, she said.

Currently, drivers collect about 15,000 gallons of fat and oil each month from 350 restaurants, including Enrico's, a mainstay in the Italian-themed North Beach neighborhood.

When the program started six months ago, the city picked up the old oil for free, and sold it to select licensed biofuel makers for 30 cents a gallon. Now that restaurants are supplying them with cleaner waste oil, they can get up to $1.25 a gallon, Ving said.

Those numbers — and the city's sudden move into the market — have convinced Levenson he needs to invest in padlocks to safeguard his precious grease and the barrels that hold it. Several of those have disappeared, too.

"When you're hauling grease for free, you want to make sure there's something there to pick up. Otherwise, with these prices, it's not worth your while," he said. "That said, if I wasn't doing this company, I would probably be doing the same thing as everybody else, just going to restaurants and filling up directly."

AP-WS-05-20-08 1719EDT

Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune

Mr. Starks

Black Folks Don't Write Sci-Fi? I Guess Octavia Butler Missed That Memo & Now R.A. Baker Follows Suit!

Never let it be said that when an icon passes another one doesn't pick up the baton. Of course, I was referring to the preeminent African-American sci-fi writer, Octavia Butler who died in 2006 and the once empty void that she left behind. Thankfully, we have another science-fiction writer of color and of note that appears to be making the rounds-enter R. A. Baker. Check out the latest info on this up and coming scribe, courtesy of NewswireToday.com:

Black Author Brings New Voice to Science Fiction and Fantasy

NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Chester, VA, United States, 05/15/2008 - African American sci-fi/fantasy author R. A. Baker shares his views on the genre, and the future of black speculative fiction

With his detailed narrative, gripping plot, and compelling characters, African American author R. A. Baker is a fine newcomer to the literary playing field. However, there is one thing that sets Baker apart from most black writers: he writes science fiction. In 2008, R. A. Baker joined the ranks of black science fiction/fantasy writers like Charles Saunders, Steven Barnes, Octavia Butler, and Nalo Hopkinson, among others. They are part of a small, but growing group of writers, specializing in genres previously the exclusive domain of their white counterparts. It’s a trend poised to add a new perspective to fantasy and science fiction storytelling.

Baker, who wrote the sci-fi/fantasy novel, Rayna of Nightwind, says that he knew at an early age that he wanted to write sci-fi/fantasy. “I’ve always loved speculative fiction, which includes both sci-fi and fantasy,” he says. “It allows for so much creative freedom—it is the only kind of fiction I would ever want to write.”

With the commercial success of the Harry Potter novels, and movies like The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, there is little doubt of sci-fi and fantasy’s appeal. African American writers like Baker believe there is also a demand for a fresh approach to these popular genres. “I believe African Americans can bring a lot to the table and take speculative fiction in exciting directions it has never gone before,” he says.

Baker says he does not see himself as a pioneer, but simply as a member of a special, and often misunderstood group. “When I tell people I write sci-fi/fantasy, I sometimes get strange stares, like they are thinking to themselves, ‘black people don’t write sci-fi’,” he says. “It can be a little disheartening, but I know the best way to deal with attitudes like that, is to be as successful in my field as possible. In a way, it has made me a better writer, because I know I can never give up or stop writing. I would never want to give the naysayers that kind of satisfaction.”

Additionally, Baker points out that diversity should be sought in all areas. “If Tiger Woods had decided early in his career to abandon golf because it was uncommon for a black person to play that sport, we would have missed out on a phenomenal golf player, and a great role model,” he said. “I think it’s time we shattered some old stereotypes about black literature, and be open to explore different avenues”.

To aspiring African American sci-fi/fantasy authors, Baker offers the following advice: “There is a world of possibilities to explore, so explore it your way. When I wrote Rayna of Nightwind, I stayed true to my voice and my particular writing style. Don’t let preconceived notions about your race influence how you write, or what you write about—let your imagination decide.”

R. A. Baker is the author of "Rayna of Nightwind", the first novel in his new Taren series(published by Apollo House Press), which is available for purchase on Amazon.com

Time to Talk Shop Folks.......Comic Shoppe Radio that is! Join us on Mon at 7pm eastern!

Well first off, take a gander at the above clip-talk about in-house ingenuity! If I still had my nintendo, perhaps I would consider such a coffee table! Anyway, it's Comic Shoppe Radio time and I want you guys to feel free and join in the conversation with Max, Daryll and yours truly as we discuss over favorite graphic novel reads (one of mine-Life Sucks- A MUST READ!!) from last week and of course, the latest in comic book/sci-fi news. You know the deal, call in with your comments at-646-200-0104 or contact us via email/IM at thecomicshoppe@yahoo. And in the immortal words of Robocop-thank you for your support.


Comic Shoppe Radio's Week in Review

And as an additional treat, check out the latest from our colleagues in the world of comic book reviewdom, The Stack, courtesy of Pulp Secret:



And sticking with the comic/animation theme, check out a teaser of Fox Network's next project, The Cleveland Show:

You Know......This Sh*%t is Pretty Funny......Barack Does Def Jam!

I had to laugh...pretty cool dubbing and impersonation. And speaking of cool, Yves Rossy is the epitome of cool. Check out this latest video of his personal wing/flyer-the Wright Brothers and Leonardo Di Vinci would be proud.



Here's more info, courtesy of Coolest-Gadgets.com:

From the dawn of intellectual thought, man has been contemplating the idea of independent flight, soaring through the clouds, nothing between us and the earth’s surface. What if us humans had wings?

No doubt, airplanes were a huge step towards the independent flight of man, but in order to fly a plane, you have to be a licensed pilot, and who has the time and patience for all of that mess? A Swiss man named Yves Rossy has unveiled his personal flyer, a jet-powered set of wings which allows humans to act as airplanes, even performing plane stunts such as the figure eight.

48-year-old Rossy sprang into the air at 7,500-feet, jumping from the inside of a Pilatus Porter aircraft, with nothing but a pair of eight-feed wide wings standing between himself and the unforgiving Earth below. As Rossy’s free fall slowly evolved into a steady glide, four jet-turbines were ignited, accelerating the man to speeds of 186 miles per hour, or “about 65 miles per hour faster than the typical falling skydiver.”

“I still haven’t used the full potential,” Rossy told reporters, exclaiming his hope to one day use the wings for a fly through the Grand Canyon. He explains how there is almost no stress caused to the body while using the wings, how it’s almost like “riding a motorbike.” Though he still must wear a heat-resistant suit to protect him from the heat of the jet-engines, with the air temperature also assisting in cooling him down.

Rossy and his sponsors have poured about $285,000 and countless hours of labor into producing the personal flyer, and he won’t comment on how much the device might be if it were marketed to the public. Though one thing is for sure, thrill-seekers everywhere just got a glimpse of the future. Something to really look forward to.

And then there's more-Check out just how close we are to seeing a real life Iron Man armor!

We Cancelled Out Thursday to Recoup but Sunday We Talk Truth & Take No Prisoners-Afronerd Radio-Sun, 8pm eastern!

Please accept our apologies for Thursday's Afronerd Radio cancellation but we are working on some pretty interesting and noteworthy projects/interviews for the next few weeks, so unfortunately some broadcasts might not go on as scheduled. Here's a tidbit-don't forget to check us out next Sunday as we interview famed conservative author and media personality, Larry Elder regarding his latest literary effort, Stupid BlackMen. We are also scheduling a tete-a-tete with the inimitable Dr. Alvin Poussaint. So again, stay tuned! But we will be in rare form tomorrow as there are a number of issues that occurred this past week which are ripe for discussion. If you will move your eyes to the monitor above, you will notice a brewing controversy concerning a Mulligan's barkeep that insists on selling Obama as Curious George t-shirts for fun and profit. We will also put our analytical scalpels to use in dissecting a frightening video (below) that shows a Milwaukee bus driver involved in an unprovoked attack by a subhuman trying to get a rep (thanks
Gangstarr).



And lastly, we will chop it up regarding the Morehouse-white valedictorian controversy. Or better yet, should it be viewed as controversial as opposed to being historic. We'll leave that up to you. So join us and state your opinions this Sunday at 8pm eastern-give us a call "live" at 646-915-9620 or via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo. Be there and Be.....oh you know how it goes!

Afronerd Radio's Week in Review

Oh....and we may have to talk about this:

If Sean Bell Were Better Educated, Would He Still Be Alive? Studies Answer this Question in the Affirmative.

May be I'm taking this latest bit of news from a recent Washington Post piece too literally. Or maybe not. Again, this is not to disregard real cases of police misconduct but I'm also a believer of intense investigation and discernment. The Post article rather bluntly affirms that college educated Blacks showed the steepest decline in mortality rates in comparison to other groups. Here's an excerpt:

While there is growing hazard for poorly educated and presumably lower-income Americans, race in itself does not strongly predict health outcomes. The group with the steepest decline in premature deaths was college-educated African Americans.

White female high school dropouts had the greatest erosion in their health, with their mortality rate rising by a little more than 3 percent a year over the nine-year period. A greater number of accidents, heart attacks, and cases of emphysema and cancer were responsible for about half this increase.

White male high school dropouts also had an increase in their risk of dying prematurely rise, by about 1 percent a year. Increasing numbers of accidents, suicides and cancers were largely responsible.

White male high school dropouts were 4.4 times as likely to die prematurely as white male college graduates. For white women, mortality in dropouts was 3.8 times that of college graduates.

For African American males with college degrees, death rates fell dramatically -- an average of 6 percent a year over the nine-year period. Fewer deaths from heart disease, cancer and, especially, AIDS were the main reasons. For black women who had finished college, mortality fell about 3 percent a year, driven mostly by fewer strokes, heart attacks and cases of cancer.

The Post piece did not mention death by violence but I think education plays a role in avoiding some of the more pathological aspects of the stereotypical Black existence. Am I wrong on this...let's hear what you think. I'll be wearing Iron Man like armor to protect me from the expected barbs and criticisms. Oh and check out the article in its entirety for further clarification:

The Less the Education, the Higher the Risk of Dying Early

Rape Dat Ho Video Causes a Stir........Memphis We Have A Problem!

Unfortunately, I retrieved this clip from a site entitled, podblanc which espouses an obvious racist bent-but the video is making the rounds as further evidence of the degradation of our culture. As much as I detest tit for tat arguments in my quest to fight my instincts to promulgate tribal rebuttals, the Girls Gone Wild videos are exponentially worse...that's for the podblanc set. Nevertheless, the lack of supervision coupled with the students' lack of decency should not go away without due criticism and public admonishment. Check below for more on this story, courtesy of WREG.com:

School "Rape Dance" Video Posted on YouTube Shocks Parents


FAST FACTS:

* Video posted on YouTube.com causing concern among parents
* Clip called "Dancing Mitchell High School Memphis"
* Tape shows disturbing video labeled "Rape Dance"

tom.powell@wreg.com

(MEMPHIS 5/05/2008) -- A video posted on YouTube.com is causing a lot of concern among Memphis City School Parents.

The clip labeled, "Mitchell High School Memphis ... Rape Dat Ho," was posted last month. It was flagged as offensive then taken down, but not before News Channel 3 recorded the clip on tape.

The images are disturbing. They are graphic and hard to watch. It shows young men and women engaging in what one parent described as "sex with clothes on."

At least seven teenagers are seen on the tape engaged in dances simulating sex. Other students are seen and heard shouting, "Rape Dat Ho." The posted video lasts over a minute. There were no administrators or adult supervisors seen on the tape.

We communicated with the person who posted the video via email. "I'm sorry but I refuse to give any information about the video. The video was just for fun," the poster replied.

We know the video will get a strong reaction, and we want you to talk about it. We want to assure you, we're not going to just show the shocking video and then walk away. Our purpose is to show there is a problem, and then offer solutions.

We've already conducted a round table discussion with several women to discuss the underlying issues the tape exposes. The women offered interesting advice and concrete ideas about what can be done to curb this behavior in the future. You'll see that discussion in the coming days on News Channel 3.

We will also continue to ask the administration questions about what appears to be a break down in supervision.

A group of five administrators watched a copy of the video last week then offered a response. "We've had an opportunity to look at the video and just want to make it very clear that behavior that we saw on the tape is very disturbing," said MCS spokesperson Staci Franklin. "However, in just what we've seen today we cannot clearly identify that those are our students and that it is one of our schools."

News Channel 3 received a written request for a copy of the tape, and we will be providing that copy to the administration Tuesday.

"With further investigation, if we are able to identify any student that participated in this, it totally violates our student code of conduct and they will be disciplined accordingly," said Franklin.

Sometimes Critics Just Don't Understand........25 Worst Rappers according to Yahoo

Admittedly, this is a pretty innocuous topic but the subtext of the article still managed to raise my ire. While perusing Yahoo's 25 Worst rappers list, I noticed that the critic in question threw dirt on top of Will Smith. Thankfully, many of the article's respondents also felt that Smith should not have been put on such a list. Anyone that is a true hip hop aficionado is keenly aware that during the period that Smith was at the height of his rap career, the musical landscape (again as it relates to hip hop) was not vulgar-making him not an anomalous artist for the time. And truth be told, not only was Smith's lyrical ability respectable but he should be given credit for spearheading the hip hop industry's foray into mainstream cultural acceptance. But to be fair, let's take a look at what the list's author said:

And "Parents Just Don't Understand" was obviously a pretty "wacky" "rebellious" little number with all that clever rhyming! And Will Smith was certainly still "safe" enough to not inspire too much controversy. Which is exactly why he's a lousy rapper. And why Smith got out of there and into acting before everyone caught on.

So because Big Willy didn't represent a ghetto/criminal aesthetic (which again, really wasn't what hip hop or Smith was about, circa 1985), that somehow translates into inauthenticity and therefore, "lousy" rapping. Folks, this is what I was referring to by subtext-the matter of fact fashion that the media (and other entities) assume that true Black culture is always a controversial and rebellious existence. I would state that some of the rappers listed do belong there-but not Will Smith. But take a look at the list and I leave it up to our readership to come to their own conclusions:

The 25 Worst Rappers Of All-Time

Well Maybe He Just Had A Bad day........Or Maybe Not-Bill O'Reilly's Inside Edition Meltdown!

Usually I wouldn't highlight such internet drivel but in the wake of cyclical Rev. Wright footage submitted by Mr. O'Reilly, perhaps turnabout is fair play. It appears that this vintage Inside Edition clip (I would venture to say late 80s to mid 90s) shows a truly disturbed O'Reilly arguing about absolutely nothing. I would be the first to admit that I like the O'Reilly Factor even with its warts and flaws but despite this blog's conservative bent-I'm not going to excuse weird behavior. I will make one distinction-O'Reilly's blowup remained behind the scenes and was not commodified for public consumption. This is the problem with our current cultural/entertainment landscape, especially as it relates to people of color-our anger is exposed for profit spilling over into real life. Well have fun guys....let us know what you think.

Uh Oh...et tu Sue? Is there an epidemic for crass and unexpectedly bad behavior all of the sudden? This may be more of a local non-story but I would have never guessed that such verbiage would come from the mouth of a respected New York journalist as Sue Simmons. For those who are unfamiliar with Ms. Simmons, she is a long time anchor with NBC's New York affiliate news station. I actually was fortunate enough to meet and get an autograph from Simmons years ago and found her to be quite cordial. Perhaps it's something in the water...perhaps.

It's That Time Again, Check Out The Comic Shoppe at 7pm eastern!

What's up folks. As the title suggests, it's that time again-listen to Comic Shoppe Radio scheduled for 7pm (eastern) as Max, Daryll and yours truly discuss: Iron Man rules for the second week in a row-50 million dollar take, Speed Racer disappoints, ABC Family’s upcoming Middleman TV series and of course our favorite graphic novel reads from last week. So drop us a line, the call-in number is-646-200-0104 or contact us via email/IM-thecomicshoppe@yahoo. Be there and Be square…..true believers!

The Comic Shoppe's Week In Review

Happy Mother's Day!! And On That Note, Check Out Afronerd Radio Tonight at 8pm eastern!

We decided to scrap Thursday's broadcast due to our technical hurdles so let's cross our fingers for tonight's (8pm eastern) show. Pretend that you didn't hear Thursday's show as we will cover some of the issues from the last episode as well as discuss Mother's Day. But don't think that we will let go of some of the other topics that have come down the pipeline-case in point, Hillary Clinton's White voter shout out. There's also another allegation of police profiling-
from a Black high ranking policeman. So as Mr. Brown would say-Let's Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved by calling in with your comments/statements at-646-915-9620 or by email-afronerdradio@yahoo.

Afronerd Radio on Mother's Day

Oh and least we forget, we may devote a little bit of time to discuss
Souljah Girl. See you guys at 8pm!

Every Once In Awhile A Rapper Will Make A Modicum of Sense......Killer Mike Interview

I was trolling the streets of the ATL Heat blog (hat tip to them for this clip) when I came across the above Killer Mike interview. Please excuse the expletives but I was actually quite pleased with Mike's candor during this conversation. I readily admit that for the last few years I have slowly divested myself from hip hop culture. I exclusively listen to the classic hip hop artists and their more current alternative/progressive incarnations. I'm not a fan of Killer Mike's work, although as a pop culture critic I am aware of his presence. Perhaps I will take a closer look at Mike's music but in the interest of full disclosure-the minstrel aesthetic of commercial rap has turned me off to such a degree, I'm looking at classic and alternative rock for solace. Next up-tonight's Afronerd Radio's Mother's Day show!

One After Another Folks......Our Kids are becoming the Terrorists-Enter "Souljah Girl!"

This is my second post on this theme and unfortunately, it will probably not be my last. If you remember the phrase that I coined in the past-the unattractive truth.....this next story affirms my intent. Al Qaeda are not the only terrorists we have to worry about. I would like to introduce to you......Soulja Girl:

Courtesy of Livesteez.com:

Atlanta Police Issue Arrest Warrant for Viral Video's 'Soulja Girl'
Posted May 9, 2008

The young woman, now known as "Soulja Girl," who was seen threatening an elderly woman in a viral video this week has found herself in hot water with the law, as Atlanta Police have issued a warrant for the girl's arrest.

In the video, which was filmed on a public transporation train, the girl confronts the older woman with Soulja Boy lyrics and threatens to kill her.

Wanda Y. Dunham, the chief of police for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), issued a statement requesting help in arresting the girl, according to AllHipHop.


“MARTA police were notified about this video last Friday and launched an immediate and aggressive investigation into the incident,” Dunham said in a statement. “The tipster also indicated the suspect has been known to ride Bus Route 22. MARTA police were able to positively identify the individual allegedly involved in this incident and have secured a warrant for her arrest.”

“We want to assure the public that this is an extremely isolated incident and that customer safety and security are our highest priorities,” Durham added. “We regret that any customer had to endure such harassment while using our system. I also wish the many citizens who witnessed this incident would have contacted the MARTA police so that we could have responded to this situation immediately. We are asking that anyone who witnessed this incident please come forward to provide additional first hand information, which may lead to additional charges against the suspect.”

MARTA police ask witnesses to help by calling the MARTA Police Detectives at (404) 848-4911.

Mr. Starks

Still think Cosby is being a little too harsh? The denial must stop people...

Police: Asst. Principal Nearly Raped By Students

Mary Bubala BALTIMORE (WJZ) ― Staff under siege--there have been more than 100 separate cases of violence this school year. Now we have the first that's sexual in nature.

Mary Bubala gets reaction from the community.

Her cousin describes her as dedicated to the school.

Some leading educators are calling the pattern of high-profile violence a crisis in Baltimore's schools.

Teachers and administrators are now advised not to stay in schools alone after dark after a chilling attack at the Calverton Middle and Elementary campus.

What's supposed to be a safe haven turned dangerous for an assistant principal there Sunday. Police say two thirteen-year-old students broke through a window and tried to rape her.

"She's been at the school for a while," said Quiezita Smith, who says she's the victim's cousin. "She's a dedicated educator, very loving person, very friendly, outgoing. She's very friendly, willing to help anybody. That's just her nature."

Investigators identified the boys through surveillance video. Police arrested them when they showed up for class the next day.

"This is now a crisis and we have to call it what it is," said Marietta English, president of the Baltimore teacher's union. "I would not stay in these buildings alone late at night."

The alarm over violence in city schools began with the release of a videotaped attack on a teacher at Reginald Lewis High.

Eyewitness News spoke exclusively with the mother of a student there, who says her daughter's classmates tried to sexually assault her.

"My daughter said they threw her on the floor and tried to take her clothes off of her, but they couldn't get them off because she was fighting them off," she said.

The attacks drew outrage from the mayor and the head of city schools.

"It's a shame that one can't do that to prepare for the upcoming week and be safe in that environment," Mayor Sheila Dixon said.

"No way to predict it. No way to guard against it. There's no way that we can police a system in this way," said Dr. Andres Alonso.

Nationwide, there were 1.5 million victims of school violence last year; 78% of schools reported a violent incident.

In Baltimore, the scope of the attacks is escalating. This is the first report of a sex crime against an administrator.


Countless teachers are bruised and battered while their principals look the other way. Still, about 1,500 suspensions and expulsions were issued for assaults on teachers in the city and Baltimore region during the 2006-07 school year. In a five-part series, our partner "The Examiner" takes a look at this rampant violence in the classroom.

Mr.Starks

Time to Talk Gas Prices-Also Obama Back on Track & More on the Bell Case-Afronerd Radio at 8pm (eastern)-New Time!!

Let's talk about gas this Thursday on Afronerd Radio. We want to hear from our readers/listeners regarding your game plan for this summer as prices are expected to rise above $4 a gallon. I have heard reports that gas may reach as high as $10 gallon in the near future. WOW!!! We also plan to chop it up about Senator Obama's North Carolina win and competitive showing in Indiana and what this means as we get closer to a possible McCain-Obama match-up. As expected, protests are in full effect courtesy of Reverend Sharpton and his followers as arrests were made in the name of civil disobedience over the Sean Bell verdict. Will we ever see the day when folks march against inner city dysfunctionalism? I won't hold my breath....so drop by with your thoughts and comments by calling in at-646-915-9620 or via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo. Be there , Be Square and start considering public transportation-because like most gas....it stinks!

Latest NPR appearance......

Poll: Bush the Most Unpopular in Modern History

Well You Just Know What we Are Going To Talk About on the Comic Shoppe-Iron Man!! Check Us Out Mon at 7pm eastern!

Well it's pretty obvious folks.....join, Max, Daryll and yours truly as we discuss this weekend's release of the Iron Man movie. We will also discuss the latest movie, sci-fi and comic news and of course, our favorite graphic novel reads from last week. You know what to do-drop by and give us a call at-646-200-0104 or via email/IM-thecomicshoppe@yahoo. And remember Be Square and Be There, true believers!

The Comic Shoppe discusses Iron Man

And in the immortal words of Elmer J. Fudd, millionaire-
Be vewy quiet!

Some Info, A Couple of Links and Afronerd Visits NPR Tommorrow, 1:15pm eastern!

Well it's my turn up at bat as I'm scheduled to appear on this Monday's Bloggers Roundtable. hosted by News & Notes' Farai Chideya. I also wanted to highlight the latest Dr. Cosby appearance, this time in the motor city of Detroit at a televised town hall meeting on education. Check out this link which shows what the Coz does best-tell the truth. Shay of the Booker Rising blog also denoted another Cosby sighting-this time in Newark with hizzoner Corey Booker. And lastly, perhaps in honor of Cosby, Juan Williams and NPR, take a gander at this past war of words (clips below) between Syracuse professor, Boyce Watkins and NPR (and Fox's) Mr. Williams. I feel your pain, Juan....but keep speaking truth to power.

Boyce Watkins:




Juan Williams' response:



Oh and check out one more interesting article on the Coz in Detroit.......He said that he's tired of losing to White people-I would dovetail on that statement by simply stating that I am tired of some of us just losing...

Took a Break from Afronerd radio today but will return this Thurs-Meanwhile....You Thought Your Commute Was Rough!

Hat Tip to our resident commenter, Sergio for hipping me to this clip. And to believe the US is currently indebted to China-one of those things that makes you go.....hmmmm. New York is notorious for their strap hanger stories but absolutely nothing like the above clip. Could you guys put up with such indignities?

Well Let's Lighten Up The Mood Shall We?......More Politics Next Entry....Now, The Return of Barry Allen!

Well at least something happened to raise my spirits after the recent turn of events with the Obama campaign. It appears that DC's The Flash (a.k.a. Barry Allen) will be returning to the land of the living after dying in the groundbreaking Crisis on Infinite Earths comic series 23 years ago. Ironically, it was the Flash character that spurred my love for comic book collecting as a youth. Of course, over the years Batman took the number one spot in my personal list of favorite heroes. But this Silver-Age Flash (who is not considered the original-Jay Garrick takes the "original" mantle) did possess similar characteristics to that of the Dark Knight-a supreme scientific and analytical mind. One could say that as a police scientist (his alter ego) he was CSI before there was a CSI (New York, Miami, etc). All that I can say is....welcome back Barry-and if he can be resurrected then so can another Barry (Senator Obama's nickname in college).

Here's more from the AP:

The Flash outruns death! 23 years later, running again


NEW YORK (AP) — He's so fast, he can even outrun death: Barry Allen, aka The Flash, is speeding back to life 23 years after being killed off.

Allen was the second man — though not the last — to don the trademark red costume decorated with a lightning bolt as DC Comics' "Fastest Man Alive."

His death in 1985 became legendary among comic book fans. He was vaporized preserving the universe.

Now he joins the tradition of super-heroes like Captain America and Superman who have died only to be resurrected later on.

Yet, unlike his revived peers who were dead just a few issues, Allen was gone so long that his rebirth comes as a surprise.

Grant Morrison, who along with Geoff Johns is responsible for resurrecting The Flash in the last panel of "DC Universe #0," said comic book characters don't have to stay dead.

"We can do anything with them, and we can make them come back and make them defy death," Morrison said.

Allen's incarnation of The Flash was first introduced in 1956 and helped lead to a revitalization of super-heroes in comic books during a time when westerns and war themes dominated.

Discussing the Obvious on Afronerd Radio, Thurs. 9pm eastern-Wright Controversy (again), Bell Verdict & more

I'm chomping at the bit folks! Be sure to check us out this Thursday evening at 9pm eastern (afronerdradio.com) as we once again go into the Blackcave and use our Blackcomputer to decipher the mess that is Jeremiah Wright. In addition, the Sean Bell verdict/aftermath will be discussed with a smattering of Reverend Sharpton shenanigans. So join in with your questions and comments at 646-915-9620 or via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo. And as always Be there and Be square.

Afronerd Radio's Week in Review

Sergio's Take on the Obama-Wright Connection.....And I'm Inclined to Agree!

I want you guys to take a look at the latest entry by our regular contributor, Sergio on his blog, Bloodsport. I am so disgusted at this latest Wright controversy (as is another colleague/blogger, Undercover Blackman) that I really have nothing else to say. It's excruciating to discuss the obvious.

Time To Say Bye-Bye

There May Be Hope For Stevie and Andrea Bocelli after all! Gene Therapy Might Cure Blindness!

This just in, courtesy of the Seattle Times:

Gene therapy may aid blind

Dr. Albert Maguire, his wife, Dr. Jean Bennett, and other researchers are working on gene therapy to improve sight in virtually blind patients.


For the first time, researchers have used gene therapy to improve vision in patients who were virtually blind, offering new hope to hundreds of thousands with inherited forms of vision impairment.

The research, some of which involves Seattle biotech Targeted Genetics, marks a major milestone for gene therapy, a discipline many scientists find promising but that so far has failed to produce a marketable product in the U.S.

It also casts a positive light on the Seattle company, a gene-therapy research firm that was shaken last July by the death of an Illinois woman enrolled in its lead drug candidate's clinical trial. Federal investigators eventually determined gene therapy was not the culprit and allowed the trial to resume.

Although the six patients studied have an extremely rare form of blindness called Leber's congenital amaurosis, researchers believe the approach ultimately could be used for a broader spectrum of disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.

For more of the above article, click here.


And then of course, Andrea can groove too.

Excuse the expletives.........but if you didn't know minstrely reigns supreme on Youtube...NOW you Know!

I honestly don't have the energy to pontificate on the obvious today. Minstrelsy and prostitution are running neck and neck as it pertains to employment antiquity.

Here's another one....Jim Henson would be proud:



And then there's always the classics. The more I bear witness to what the cooning industry continues to produce the more I think about the immortal words of Mr. Prince Rogers Nelson-Mommy, why does everybody have a bomb? I think I know why.

Oh Man......Obama's Albatross is Back-Rev. Jeremiah Wright at NAACP Gala!

Well, in the immortal words of Poltergeist’s Heather O’Rourke (referencing Rev. Wright)-“he’s ba-aaack!” I sincerely hope that I am wrong but this latest episode of the Wright controversy might have effectively KO’d Senator Obama’s bid for the Democratic nomination. Try as I might to take a break from a political discourse on this blog, I get pulled back in. For your pleasure, check out the above snippet from Wright’s NAACP speech held yesterday in Detroit. And then, purchase another Jeremiah’s excellent polemical treatise, Holy Lockdown: Does the Church Limit Black Progress?, written by Jeremiah Camara. After viewing Wright's latest appearance, one must answer Camara’s book title in the affirmative. Better yet, let’s spread the pain around a bit and vet everyone’s spiritual advisor. Let’s take a look at the Clintons' minister. Let’s also not forget McCain’s religious albatross, Rev. Hagee. We’ll see how this plays out but I suspect that this might be the Obama campaign’s death knell. Feel free to click on the link below to see the aforementioned speech in its entirety:

Rev. Wright's speech

Ahem...and didn't I say a few weeks ago that the Black Church as an institution is really what is being scrutinized? Let the Church say amen....what do you guys think?

Thank God for the Internet(s)! Venture Bros. Season 3 Preview & Oh Yeah-The Comic Shoppe Mon. at 7pm eastern!

And I would be remiss, while counting down to the Afronerd Radio broadcast in failing to mention that tomorrow we also have the Comic Shoppe show....scheduled for 7pm eastern. The gang's all here-Dburt, Max & Daryll and we will discuss-costume or no costume for graphic novels heroes/heroines, more on last week's NY Comic-con and of course our favorite comic picks from last week. You guys know the drill-feel free to call in with your questions or comments at-646-200-0104 or via email/IM-thecomicshoppe@yahoo. Excelsior, brethren!

The Comic Shoppe's Week in Review


Oh and as an added treat, check out the Venture Bros. season 3 preview (above) and the accompanying panel segment below. I had to make a hard choice during the convention as to whether check out the Hulk movie preview or Venture, so suffice it to say that the internet is a necessary tool...Enjoy!

Conservatives of Color Speak!

I just happened to peruse the halls of Youtube and came across this great clip of some notable Black Conservatives waxing on....well, Conservatism. Tell me what you guys think about their comments. Of course, I'm biased but I'd like to hear from some progressive voices as well.

Reminder Time-John Mcwhorter on Afronerd Radio, Sunday at 8pm eastern

Just giving our readers a final reminder notice-don't forget to check out our interview with author/educator, Dr. John McWhorter, scheduled for tomorrow, 8pm eastern at afronerdradio.com. We will pick his brain concerning conservatism for folks of color, Senator Obama, racial discourse in America and his latest book, All about the Beat: Why Hip-Hop Can't Save Black America. So join us and ask a question or two of our esteemed guest at-646-915-9620 or send a message via IM/email-afronerdradio@yahoo. And don't forget-be there and be square!

Dr. John McWhorter visits Afronerd Radio

Time to Get Off the Carousel, Brothers! Not Guilty Verdict in Sean Bell Case!

Well if you haven't heard by now, the police officers that were on trial for the fatal shooting of Sean Bell (in addition to injuring Bell's compatriots) were acquitted of all charges today. For the record, my condolences go out to the Bell family for the untimely death of their son. Because of my oft-mentioned stance on some of the police brutality cases that adversely affect people of color, I have been mischaracterized as someone that doesn't believe in police malfeasance. Of course there are cases where there is clear racial animus involved, but we must also admit that issues of discernment and credibility should be applied in order to determine what ultimately transpires in these matters. So I was in support of the officers in this tragic incident. And as the title of this entry suggests, some in the African American and Latin communities must start to get off the "carousel" of stereotypical and cyclical behavior. In simpler terms, young men of color in said communities must begin to re-evaluate the belief that we are absolute victims who insist on disregarding how one's character plays a role when these case are adjudicated.

Again, this does not mean that someone deserves to get shot but when an individual employs "gun talk" in public (within earshot of criminals and/or police) one could expect trouble or misinterpretation at the very least. And low and behold, when the smoke clears (literally) no gun is found-but a life is ruined nonetheless. But what occurs when non-compliance and street bravado are put into the mix? One suggestion-in addition to the expensive dubs that some young men like to put on their vehicles, perhaps this device should be considered. Although I would like to think that I would not get caught in a similar circumstance to that of Mr. Bell, you can bet that I will be purchasing personal video surveillance for my new vehicle. Check out the specifics on this verdict, courtesy of Newsday:

Disappointment in Jamaica after Sean Bell verdict

On Liverpool Street, as the noontime hour approached and word of the officers' acquittals spread on Friday, anger was directed toward the Police Department.

"This was a travesty. This tells black males that our lives are devalued," said Antoine Johnson, 43, of Jamaica. "It tells NYPD that you have a license to kill black males."

Johnson, who said he had known Sean Bell and also was acquainted with shooting victims Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, called Justice Arthur Cooperman's decision "racist."

He described the message sent to the black community in these words: "If you are white, you are right. If you are black, stay back."

"The court is not going to help us," Johnson said.

Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman found that the state's case was riddled with problems and that the prosecutors had failed to defeat the cops' claim that they fired in self-defense on Liverpool Street the night of Nov. 25, 2006. The 50-shot barrage killed Bell and wounded two of his friends.

"The prosecution has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant was not justified" in using deadly force, Cooperman said.

After the verdict, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said "there are no winners in a trial like this."

"An innocent man lost his life, a bride lost her groom, two daughters lost their father, and a mother and a father lost their son," the mayor said. "No verdict could ever end the grief that those who knew and loved Sean Bell suffer."

Throughout the morning, more and more people stopped at a small, makeshift memorial on Liverpool Street, between 94th and 95th avenues and near the Long Island Rail Road's Jamaica station. That is where the early-morning shooting occurred after Bell and his two friends left the nearby Kalua Cabaret, the strip club where the bridegroom Bell's bachelor party was held.

Howard Brown, 40, of Jamaica, on Friday stopped his car on Liverpool Street to drop some money into a water jug, donations to the Bell family.

"There wasn't no justice with that verdict to me," Brown said. "There should have been some kind of justice for real."

Another man got out of his car, walked to the memorial and left a baseball signed with the words, "To Sean Bell Rest in Peace."

The man, who said he works for the NYPD as a school safety officer and declined to give his name, said he identifies strongly with Sean Bell.

The man said he is 26, newly married and the father of two young children. Bell, 23, had two daughters with his fiance and was a standout on his high school baseball team.

"I probably played against him," he said of Bell. "I wanted to leave the baseball there because I know that's something that he loved."

But enough of my proselytizing, what do you guys think? Was this a fair verdict? Can there be police procedural problems and procedural issues with the conduct of some of our young men of color? And lastly, should a person's criminal history (in the case of the victims-drug and gun pasts) be considered for issues of discernment? What does the class think?

Don't You Dare Touch Me.......Congolese Sorcerers Are Stealing Your Jymbrowskis!

I really thought that I have heard it all before and I have also known Black folk (from the Americas to Africa) to have superstitious ways but this next story takes the cake (and takes something else as well....)-

Courtesy of Reuters.com:

Lynchings in Congo as penis theft panic hits capital

KINSHASA, April 22 (Reuters Life!) - Police in Congo have arrested 13 suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men's penises after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings triggered by the alleged witchcraft.

Reports of so-called penis snatching are not uncommon in West Africa, where belief in traditional religions and witchcraft remains widespread, and where ritual killings to obtain blood or body parts still occur.

Rumours of penis theft began circulating last week in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo's sprawling capital of some 8 million inhabitants. They quickly dominated radio call-in shows, with listeners advised to beware of fellow passengers in communal taxis wearing gold rings.

Purported victims, 14 of whom were also detained by police, claimed that sorcerers simply touched them to make their genitals shrink or disappear, in what some residents said was an attempt to extort cash with the promise of a cure.

"You just have to be accused of that, and people come after you. We've had a number of attempted lynchings. ... You see them covered in marks after being beaten," Kinshasa's police chief, Jean-Dieudonne Oleko, told Reuters on Tuesday.

Police arrested the accused sorcerers and their victims in an effort to avoid the sort of bloodshed seen in Ghana a decade ago, when 12 suspected penis snatchers were beaten to death by angry mobs. The 27 men have since been released.

"I'm tempted to say it's one huge joke," Oleko said.

"But when you try to tell the victims that their penises are still there, they tell you that it's become tiny or that they've become impotent. To that I tell them, 'How do you know if you haven't gone home and tried it'," he said.

Some Kinshasa residents accuse a separatist sect from nearby Bas-Congo province of being behind the witchcraft in revenge for a recent government crackdown on its members.

"It's real. Just yesterday here, there was a man who was a victim. We saw. What was left was tiny," said 29-year-old Alain Kalala, who sells phone credits near a Kinshasa police station. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ ) (Editing by Nick Tattersall and Mary Gabriel).

We Need This More Than a Hog Needs His Slop! Check Out This Auto That Runs on Air

With gas prices approaching $4 a gallon, this new vehicle is needed like.....yesterday!

Check out this potential escape from OPEC, courtesy of Forbes.com:

Driving on Air

Guy Negre


Guy Negre's car can zoom about on compressed air, but can it be more than a novelty?
Concept cars, especially green ones, periodically capture the public's imagination. A while ago General Motors (nyse: GM - news - people ) was making a big deal out of hydrogen fuel cells, while spending as little time as possible discussing how the gas would be shipped and stored. Electric cars like the coming Tesla sound intriguing as long as you don't think too long or hard about the weight, durability and cost of batteries.

Now we have Frenchman Guy Negre and his Aircar, whose fuel is compressed air. What could be less polluting than air? But there are some little drawbacks. The main one is that air doesn't store much energy, so air-powered cars can't be roomy or go very far.

Negre's Motor Development International has test Aircars zipping around the French Riviera near the company's offices outside of Nice. They come in bright colors, can go 70mph and have a range of 125 miles on flat roads. The motor uses a whoosh of air to push its two pistons up and down. Exhaust from the engine consists of harmless atmospheric air, cold enough to serve as air-conditioning on a hot day. But don't try to tow a trailer with one of these things. The engine can't top 75 horsepower.

India's Tata Motors (nyse: TTM - news - people ) paid MDI $28 million a year ago for the right to build and sell Tata-branded Aircars in India. MDI is shipping a prototype to Tata this summer. Tata will either reproduce that car or, more likely, install the MDI technology in one of its existing cars, such as its recently unveiled Nano. A U.S. company called Zero Pollution Motors has purchased a license from MDI to build an Aircar factory in the States.

The absence of combustion allows MDI to use a lean aluminum engine casing. MDI's engine weighs 80 pounds, a third the weight of the powerhouse in a Toyota (nyse: TM - news - people ) Corolla. The fuel is air compressed to 4,350 pounds per square inch, or 300 times the pressure of the air you breathe. Negre insists that despite the enormous pressure, the tank, in a collision, would split down its sides, harmlessly expelling the air in a giant phoomp.

I Couldn't Have Said It Any Better......SoulBounce Tells Us Why The Music is Dying!

I want to give a shout out to Nova Slim of the Soul Bounce blog for perfectly encapsulating (and enumerating) why our current musical culture is degrading, specifically Black music. I also provided a clip (above) of a truly necessary documentary from a few years ago, entitled Before the Music Dies. This film successfully bolsters Slim's argument that corporate greed and apathy are ruining the potential for creative and different music from being exposed-at the listener's expense. Here are a few (out of the 25 listed) reasons (again, according to Soul Bounce) why urban music is at death's door:

Courtesy of Soul Bounce:

8. Thugs: Not only do we have "Studio Thugs" that use de Palma films to inform their image (see above) but there's the "Corporate Thug" (robs an artist of his publishing and signs him to a hellified contract he could never fulfill) and the questionable "R&B Thug", which happened somewhere between R. Kelly and Jodeci and continues to this day. Along the way, labels got the bright idea that the way to a woman's heart was by selling drugs and beating up people. Sexy! This trend has also given rise to something else we'll never understand: "R&B Beef", in which two singers talk trash about each other to the media. Unfortunately, this doesn't result in a "sing-off" but pretty much makes everyone involved look kind of retarded.

9. Crime: Between violating probation, not paying child support, being pulled over and caught with an ounce of weed or cocaine, assaulting nail technicians, shooting people, tossing concertgoers off the stage, committing perjury, tax evasion, and urinating on minors, we have to wonder if being a good artist means being a bad citizen.

10. Ringtones: "Real Music Ringtones" were created as a way to distinguish your ringing cellular from someone else's while also bringing you closer to your favorite artist. Unfortunately, the labels realized this was the only way to generate revenue and started making music for the sole purpose of selling ringtones. Now, we have stripped-down keyboard beats and grunts and "yaahhs" instead of lyrics. Is that my cellphone ringing or yours? We'll never know, because we both downloaded Soulja Boy.

11. Lack of Music Programs in Schools: Programs like Garage Band have not only made producers lazy, but undercut the importance of immersing young would-be musicians in music history as well as basic composition. Unless a popular musician was trained in the church, they probably lucked into a contract without knowing how to write, play an instrument, or worse, sing a note.
bet_logo_000.jpg

12. BET (and by extension its corporate owner) is on a mission to not only destroy urban music, but poison the perception of Black people in the process. If we were to use this network as a guide (and people unfortunately do), we would believe that "drug dealer > rapper > pimp" is a logical career path, alcoholic beverages can be used as bodysplash, women of exotic or indeterminate race are the standard of beauty, darker-skinned women are only valuable if they have a big ass and a tiny waist, a person's worth can only be determined by what they drive and what they wear, you ain't sh*t if you're over 30, and a week's worth of debauchery and decadence can be undone with a Sunday marathon of religious programming. It's funny because it's true.

Click on the link below for the rest of Nova Slim's insightful piece:

25 Things That Killed (and are Still Killing) Urban Music

And let's take a look at just one more YouTube clip from Before the Music:

Why Hasn't the MSM Picked up on this breakthrough? Why Hasn't this Woman been interviewed? Potential Sickle Cell Anemia Cure!

A special hat tip to Shay of the Booker Rising blog for bringing this to my attention. It appears Ms. Pamela Newton, young woman pictured above, is the first adult of record that has actually been cured of the oftentimes fatal disease, sickle cell anemia. The quick question that comes to mind is.....why has the mainstream media picked up on this amazing story? I have personal friends and acquaintances that have been tortured by this disorder and it boggles the imagination how such a breakthrough can take place and Ms. Newton is not splashed before the major media outlets. And of course, there is no longer a BET news division to highlight this information (Thank God for JC Watts' upcoming Black News venture) but it seems that a BET health blog that focuses on some of the ailments of celebrities makes the cut. Take a look at the latest information on this possible cure, courtesy of Courant.com:

Fifteen months ago, the pain from Pamela Newton's sickle cell disease was excruciating. She spent more time in the hospital than in her apartment. She was on 15 pain pills a day, all heavy narcotics. She was bleeding regularly and needed daily transfusions of platelets.

She had just months to live.

Today, doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore say that Newton is one of the few adults in the world to be cured of sickle cell disease — and the first using an experimental bone marrow transplant that could cure thousands like her who have been told they will never get better.

Word of a breakthrough gives hope to the roughly 80,000 Americans — and millions around the world — who suffer from this debilitating and usually fatal disease, which is predominant among blacks and Hispanics.

"It could very much open things up," said Dr. John F. Tisdale, a senior investigator at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. "Everyone's cautiously optimistic."

What makes the Hopkins procedure different is that it allows patients to receive bone marrow from a donor who is not an exact match, overcoming a longtime obstacle to healing large numbers of people.

Sickle cell is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. Normally round, the cells become "C" shaped, like sickles, and pile up on one another, keeping them from properly supplying oxygen to the body. The patients, prone to infection and serious pain, typically live only into their 40s.

Until now, few have been cured and there has been little progress in developing new treatments. Only one drug has been approved for treatment of sickle cell. Painkillers and antibiotics help patients live longer, but nothing has addressed the core problem of the genetic defect.

Newton's hematologist, Dr. Robert Brodsky, and his colleagues say they hope to change that. They are trying to enroll 25 patients in a clinical trial.

For the article in its entirety, click on the link below:

Curing Sickle Cell Disease

What's Wrong with Some Black Folk? or The Foxy Brown Story!

This next story has been lingering in the deep crevices of my brain for the last couple of days since news of rapper, Foxy Brown's release from prison (aka Inga Marchand) spewed forth into the public sphere. The reason why I entitled this post, "What's Wrong with Some Black Folk," is by in large due to the fanfare Marchand received upon her release as if she were a head of state or at the very least a political prisoner. From my understanding, Brown was greeted by thralls of fans, Brooklyn councilman, Charles Barron (I have written about Barron in prior posts) and a number of luxury SUVs, again as if going to jail was a badge of honor and not due to consistent unconscionable behavior. I liken this pomp and circumstance routine to the Mike Tyson prison release scandal from a decade ago when some Harlemites wanted to throw a parade in his honor after serving time for allegedly raping someone. And if we are to keep it tribal, the victim was a young woman of color. But you do not have to take my word for the Brown story; here are the specifics, courtesy of HipHopGalaxy.com:

Foxy Brown Released From Prison

Foxy Brown is a free woman following her release from the Rose Singer Center for women at Rikers Island on Friday (April 18) where she served an eight-month sentence for violating her probation.

"The first place I want to go is church. I’ve got to get on my knees," said Brown upon her release.

Brown was greeted by a collection of fans, media and well-wishers upon her release, who she thanked for their support before jumping into a white Rolls Royce Phantom.

"This is a big day for me," Brown told reporters. "To have everybody here that I love, my whole family, the whole Brooklyn, the officers that took care of me at Rikers. Eight months to the day, I remember going in in August and I said when I come out, I’m coming out even better. And I’m back baby, it’s a wrap."

Foxy, real name Inga Marchand, was sentenced to a year in jail in September 2007 for violating the terms of her parole when she was accused of hitting a woman with a cell phone. She was on probation for the August 2004 attack on two manicurists at a Manhattan nail salon. In March 2007 Brown was warned she would face a year in prison if she got into any further trouble. Five months later she was sentenced for assaulting neighbour Arleen Raymond with a cell phone.

During her stay at Rikers Islands, Brown was placed in solitary confinement for 76 days after an altercation in the prison, for refusing to take random drug tests and for reportedly being verbally abusive to prison staff. She also applied for early release to get treatment for her hearing condition, however, the request was denied by the judge.

"I did almost a year in prison, a year in prison, just because my name is Foxy Brown," she said.

Foxy Brown’s "Brooklyn’s Don Diva," which features production from Kanye West and Swizz Beatz, is due to be released on May 13 through Black Rose Entertainment/Koch Records. She is also in talks for a reality TV show on VH1 documenting how she adjusts to life after incarceration and the promotion of the new album.

The rapper is back in court on May 5 over the Blackberry assault.

As I have mentioned and/or written about countless times in Afronerd-we are at war, folks. We are at war with the low expectations of a subcultural belief system that clearly does not admonish bad behavior. I, too, would have purchased a "free Foxy shirt," except I could get a better deal for bathroom tissue at my local Costco. When will this madness cease? What say you on this topic?

Tidbits from NY Comic-con & Last Week's Graphic Novel Reads on The Comic Shoppe, Mon. 7pm eatsern!

As alluded to in the previous post, check out tomorrow's Comic Shoppe broadcast as we (Daryll, Max & Dburt) discuss this weekend's major event, the NY Comic Con. Guess what we learned about upcoming projects such as The Spirit, The Incredible Hulk, The Dark Knight and Iron Man. We will also cover our favorite graphic novel reads from last week. So don't be shy-give us a call if you too attended the convention or if you just want to talk about your favorite comic. You know the drill-the call in number is-646-200-0104 or send an email or IM via thecomicshoppe@yahoo. Excelsior!

The Comic Shoppe's NY-Comic Con coverage

No Afronerd Radio this Sunday but stay alert for Next Sunday-Interview w/Dr. John Mcwhorter

Well unfortunately, I had to cancel today's Afronerd Radio show and for good reason-this is NY-Comic Con weekend! Nuf said! But the Afronerd Radio cancellation will definitely enhance tomorrow's Comic Shoppe broadcast as we discuss some highlights (and dare we say spoilers) released from the convention. I also want our readers/listeners to make a mental note to reconvene with us next Sunday, April 27th (8pm eastern) as we converse with esteemed author, linguist and Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow, Dr. John McWhorter. We will be discussing his upcoming book, All about the Beat: Why Hip-Hop Can't Save Black America as well as his thoughts regarding the current political landscape, notions of Black Authenticity, African-American culture, conservatism for people of color and so forth. I will remind our readers as the week progresses. And while I'm on the subject of upcoming interviews:



That's right.....the inimitable Mr. Larry Elder joins Afronerd Radio next month, May 25th to discuss his book, Stupid Black Men. So mark your calendars!

I'm not Sure if I'm Happy About this....BET is greenlighting the Black Panther Comic/Cartoon Series for 09'

Those who are most familiar with this blog probably know that I have a real problem with BET and its current President of Entertainment, Reginald Hudlin. Last year, we had an online discussion of sorts that ultimately led to my banning from his site, Hudlinentertainment.com. Mind you, I was respectful but getting honesty about BET's truncated imagery, lack of alternative/progressive artistry and non-existent news division is akin to getting a tooth pulled. So I will have to take a wait and see approach regarding the Hudlin produced, Black Panther animated project. Here's more, courtesy of Variety:

BET cages 'Black Panther'
Marvel Comic hero heads to TV

Marvel Comics has signed a deal to turn one of its superheroes, the Black Panther, into a primetime animated series for BET, starting early next year.
BET made the announcement at its upfront presentation in New York as the highlight of a batch of new series being readied for the 2008-09 season, under the supervision of Reginald Hudlin, president of entertainment for BET.

In addition to “The Black Panther,” BET singled out “Brutha,” a docu-reality series featuring producer Jermaine Dupri and focusing on five brothers in a singing group “who learn just what it takes to navigate the treacherous terrain of the music industry.”

BET has also given a go to its first court show, “Judge Karen,” and a dating show called “The Boot, narrated by MC Lyte, each half-hour of which starts with six young singles and narrows the field down to the final twosome.

“Brutha,” “Karen” and “Boot” will premiere in the fourth quarter. The network’s longrunning music-countdown show “106 & Park” has engineered a spinoff called “106 & Gospel,” a 90-minute weekly show that will feature the top 20 gospel videos. The air date of “106 & Gospel’ is early next year.

The two most popular reality shows in cable TV among black households, “College Hill” and “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is,” will each return to BET’s schedule in 2009.

Other returning shows include the biographical reality series “American Gangster,” the soap opera “Baldwin Hills,” the boardroom-reality show “Interns” and the gospel-music show “Sunday Best.”

And the “BET Awards,” perennially the highest-rated show each year on the network, will be back for another year.

At the upfront, Scott Mills, president and chief operating officer of BET Networks, talked about the beginning of the network’s “international expansion with our recent launch of BET in the United Kingdom.” Mills also singled out BET’s “intergrated marketing” across a number of platforms and its “new digital efforts” including BET.com, its mobile initiatives and its video on demand.

Give Akon a Break.......He's Just the Tip of the Iceberg

One can expect to have their fair share of detractors when he/she chooses to speak up about the fraudulent and minstrel aspects of today's commercial hip hop, but telling the truth rarely brings home the glory. I would probably refrain from such criticism if stories like the Akon expose' didn't come to my attention. Check out the latest on the Senegalese singer, courtesy of HipHopdx.com:

Akon Accused Of Being A Fraud

Akon has sold over 4 million albums by combining his radio-friendly sound with a somewhat controversial persona outside of the recording booth. With album titles such as Trouble, Konvicted and the hit single "Locked Up," Akon has made no secret of what he calls his "troubled past." Akon's past is now being called into question by TheSmokingGun.com. The website is currently running a report entitled "Akon's Con Job," which uses various legal documents to draw the conclusion that the platinum selling artist has a fabricated past.

The Smoking Gun's report centers on Akon's account that he spent three years in prison for attempting to steal a BMW in 1998. Akon recounted the story to Rolling Stone and various other media outlets in 2006.
"I was driving a BMW 325, on my way to the chop shop," Akon told Rolling Stone. "That's the slowest car in the whole fleet, the BMW 325. I'd been in high-speed pursuit before and always got away, but this time I didn't because the car was too slow."
The Smoking Gun, alleges that public records show Akon, whose birth name is Aliaune Thiam, spent five months in prison for the aforementioned car theft. A subsequent conviction for weapons possession is listed in 1998, but the penalty for this offense was a $1,000 fine and three months probation. The allegations come in addition to public backlash that resulted in 2007 after videos surfaced of Akon performing a sexually explicit dance with a 14-year-old girl and throwing a 15-year-old boy off of a concert stage. Akon and his representatives have yet to comment on The Smoking Gun's report.

And then there's always authentic minstrelsy to enjoy. When will this stop? Last time I checked we have a Black man running for POTUS and yet simultaneously the cooning industry continues to rise just like the price for a barrel of oil ($115 and counting). WOW!

Aren't Americans Bitter? Next on Afronerd Radio-Obama's Comments, Alicia Keys, Tavis Leaves Joyner & More Bob Johnson Nonsense

Well I don't know about you guys but to swiftboat a candidate on a fairly truthful statement astounds me. And as I have stated countless times before, you can't exclusively pin this on the conservatives this time. Sure, Hannity, Rush and O'Reilly are having their fun with 24 hour (seriously....it's around the clock "bitter/Rev. Wright" talk on Fox) but the Clintons are making the most out of this story as well. But never let it be said that a brother doesn't know how to play the dozens. But then again, perhaps Obama is a bit too high brow for the rubes in PA-his reference to a misplaced syntax might have confused these folks in to believing that there was a tax on sin. Ahem, you never know. So let's flesh this out-drop by this Thursday at 9pm eastern to discuss not only the bitter truth but also more Bob Johnson shenanigans, Alicia Keys' gangsta conspiracies and Tavis Smiley's leaving the Tom Joyner show! The call-in number is 646-915-9620 or send an IM/email via-afronerdradio@yahoo.

OK I Love The Iron Man clips...but Enough Already.......this next clip might have a point!

The Onion is not only funny but ever prescient. I'm still going to see this flick...even if most of it has been shown in commercials!

Some Parents Argue Over Which College Their Kids Should Go To..........Others?

I really have no words.....


This just in, courtesy of The Denver Channel:

Parents Fight Over Which Gang Toddler Should Join
Police: Mother A Crip, Father A Westside Baller


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- A couple fighting about which gang their 4-year-old toddler should join caused a public disturbance that resulted in the father's arrest, Commerce City police said Thursday.

On Saturday, Joseph Manzanares stormed into the Hollywood Video store where his girlfriend worked, threatened to kill her and knocked over several video displays and even a computer, Commerce City police Sgt. Joe Sandoval said.

After he ran out of the store, police were called and the 19-year-old was arrested at his home.

His girlfriend told police that they had been arguing about the upbringing of their son and which gang he should belong to. The teen mother, who is black, is a member of the Crips. Manzanares is Hispanic and belongs to the Westside Ballers gang, the woman said.

"They have different ideas on how the baby should be raised. Basically, she said they cannot agree on which gang the baby would 'claim,'" Sandoval said.

Manzanares was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, and domestic violence. He was transported to the Adams County Detention Facility.

On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to a year of probation. The misdemeanor harassment charge was dropped.