Jan 16, 2014

The Return of Reverend Wright

Guest: Hermene Hartman
To commemorate Martin Luther King Day, a Chicago teachers union hired none other than Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who proceeded to condemn President Obama for his use of drones. The Factor debated the decision to invite Wright with magazine publisher Hermene Hartman. "You've said Reverend Wright is anti-American," Hartman protested, "but that's not true. He has pointed out 'bad America' - dropping bombs on people and slavery is 'bad America.' He's not saying anything wrong. America is a great country, but has been a bad country in some instances." The Factor insisted that Wright is a serial America-basher: "If you listen to his sermons, you come away with him saying America is a bad nation. Every country has done some bad things, but according to Reverefrond Wright it's all bad and nothing good."

Watch more video in the Video Center...

here is a link to the page including a video of the interview with Hermene Hartman:

http://www.billoreilly.com/show?action=viewTVShow&showID=3571#4

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So very, very honored to speak with Hermene Hartman today about her appearance on Bill O'Reilly, Fox news, last evening, Jan 15, 2014.

Burning with questions:

Why did you go on the show?

HH: I was invited and I welcomed the opportunity to talk about Reverend Wright and I wanted to correct some misconceptions.

Were you afraid?

HH: No.

HH: I feel like Reverend Wright has been misinterpreted and misquoted.

Could not resist asking about her credentials compared to O'Reilly on this particular subject.

HH: I am a former sociology professor but I have been working for the newspaper for 25 years. In the past Bill O'Reilly has been invited to the church of Reverend Wright but he refused to visit.

Hermene Hartman said I welcomed the opportunity to talk about race but Bill O'Reilly should let the people actually answer the question if he wants the true value of their statement. He has got to let the person speak or he is not really understanding what they are trying to say.

Hermene Hartman wanted to talk about the perception of race and the perception of Jeremiah Wright.

She said in the show she does support President Obama and Reverend Jeremiah Wright but their statements have been misinterpreted by Mr. O'Reilly--he is missing the true value of their statements.

Reverend Wright is trying to say that America is a great country but there have been wrong acts committed by the government on the issue of race, gays, women's rights and during the time of war.

I would definitely include in this the Japanese concentration camps during World War II.

Ms. Hartman mentioned the bombing of Nagasaki as a wrong and unfortunate act along with rules of segregation which existed in the past.

I felt like Ms Hartman wanted to promote the idea that while we love our country it is okay to talk about and define acts by our government that have hurt others and particular segments of the society. She was not saying she did not like America or disagree with the policies but to acknowledge mistreatment of others by the government if it does, in fact exist, is a good thing.

In the long run it is a good thing to talk about it.

The question: Would Mr. O"Reilly agree or disagree if he had actually let her talk and receive the true value of the statement of Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

The United States has done things and made rules that are not correct for women, gays and involving race and people of color--we are making a lot of changes in our laws now.

We are in a free country and allowed to speak--that is one of the great things about the United States. This philosophy lets progress take place.

Like Nelson Mandela, Dr.Martin Luther King and Jesus, Reverend Wright would like to challenge these incorrect acts.

Everything today is not hunky dory but we are making progress according to Hermene Hartman.

I could not help but ask Ms. Hartman how she felt about Bill O'Reilly's constant angry rant on Reverend Al Sharpton.

HH: Bill O'Reilly does seem to have a problem with strong black men--it is also a matter of politics and entertainment.

I said.....do you know Reverend Wright and what would you like people to know about him?

HH: Reverend Wright is a brilliant man and a scholar and he is not afraid to challenge things that are incorrect in our country. He is not afraid to call it as he sees it. He is a very nice man.

HH: Bill is taking Reverend Wright out of context.

She also said in the past Mr. O'Reilly has indeed been invited to the church of Reverend Wright but he has not come. She went on--he is welcome to come to the church and see what is going on and find out what Reverend Wright is all about. Ms. Hartman felt like O'Reilly really did not have all of the facts to properly speak about Jeremiah Wright.

I concluded by asking her what do you think of race in America today.

HH: We have definitely made progress. We do not have laws of segregation as we did in the past--but whether we like it or not race and prejudice is ingrained in our society. In the past Dr. King spoke of total integration without prejudice but she thinks now it is more reasonable to go with the idea of Nelson Mandela--to live in a race free society by acknowledging that race exists. We have perceptions and prejudices that are going to last for a long, long time--it cannot be ignored.

She gave the example of Trayvon Martin--the rules have changed but he was killed on perception. The law is now that anyone of any color can legally go into any neighborhood or area of town. The perception has not necessarily changed and Trayvon Martin was murdered on the idea he was not really supposed to be there--even though that was his home.

Thank you to Hermene Hartman for taking time to chat with me about your very insightful interview on the Bill O'Reilly show on Fox News.

It was wonderful to see you on the The Factor and hear your take on Reverend Wright and President Obama.

Ms. Hartman said that I may also visit the church and I am very excited about that--not to mention I love Chicago.

here is a link to the newspaper of Hermene Hartman:

http://ndigo.com/

Hermene Hartman serves as President and CEO of the Chicago-based, Hartman Publishing Group, INC. NDIGO, was founded in 1989 and is a significant voice in Chicago. Hartman provides social commentary on WVAZ's 102.7 radio Monday - Friday at 9:15 a.m. She is an author and appears as a guest on TV with commentary. Ms. Hartman is the founder of The NDIGO Foundation, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, which began in 1995, for the sole purpose of raising funds for educational pursuits.

Hermene Hartman on Bill O'Reilly: Talking About Reverend Jeremiah Wright

Dan on Ann: Dan Borchers Writes about Ann Coulter on Coulter Watch

Ann Coulter and God’s Word

In her New Year’s Eve essay (her eighth almost identical Kwanzaa essay in 14^th years), Coulter argued that the Bible should be taken seriously and not misinterpreted for political purposes. She added this aside: “(I promise you, except for venereal disease and eternal damnation, life would be a lot more fun if we were making it up as we went along.)”

Some have misread Coulter’s parenthetical remark as an expression of what befalls those who reject and disobey God’s Word. Yes, Coulter commends God’s Word yet, at the very same time, seems to commend doing your own thing (“making it up as we [go] along.”) Are “venereal disease and eternal damnation” the only consequences to sin? Is life all about seeking “a lot more fun?” Amazingly, Coulter made a “promise” about life being more fun doing things your own way. (Yet another failed Coulter promise.)

All actions have consequences – according to Newton and according to God. Coulter might think “life would be a lot more fun” doing it her way instead of God’s, revealing her ignorance of God’s greatness and His grace: our Father in heaven really does know better what is best for us. Jesus came to give us life, and to give it to us abundantly.

The apostle Paul exhorts Christians to “Rejoice! And, again I say, rejoice!” We, as Christians, are called to experience a bit of heaven on earth in living in a close relationship with our Creator. When we are walking with God, we experience His unsurpassing peace, His inexpressible joy, and His unfailing love. Those experiences are to be prized! The world has nothing better to offer.

What passes for “fun” in this world badly misses the mark and deprives people of the joy which can be experienced in following Jesus and doing what He would do.

As noted in Vanity: Ann Coulter’s Quest for Glory, Coulter has a problem subjecting her will to God’s. She would rather do what is right in her own eyes than in God’s. Ironically, Coulter concluded her “Breaking Bad” essay (in which she called that TV series “a Christian parable”) with Scripture: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

Hermane Hartman: The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King--N'Digo

Dr. King's Voice

By Hermene Hartman, Wednesday at 10:19 am

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born some 85 years ago on January 15. He lived a brief purposeful life. Born in Atlanta Georgia and assassinated in Memphis in 1968, he died at the too early age of 39. He transformed America and today we still live his effects. We owe much to King for challenging America to live up to its creed, its Constitution and its Declaration of Independence. He made freedom and equality on those documents a reality. Through his marching he made America live up to the words of our forefathers.

In today’s language, King literally called America out. He made a people stand up, sit down and march. He was an “occupier.” His insult level was high. He took second-class citizenship seriously and he challenged it. He was a great leader, focused, determined and most of all he had integrity. He was a community organizer. He had no grants, no foundation money, and no corporate sponsorship. His support was faith based. The church was his base, the pulpit his platform. His funding was from the people he advocated for.

King's Message

He was a Baptist minister and he spoke the truth from the Bible. He gave America a new thought. His sermons were masterful, a lesson for all, a message for many. His voice started southern and become universal. He changed the American system. Black folk became integrated into the mainstream. King killed overt segregation. He changed America’s public policy. He erased bad laws. He brought what had been called the “American problem” to the forefront. His work became a “movement.” He was the mastermind of a youth movement.

It is interesting to note that all of the social ills done to African Americans were legal -- segregation of public places, sitting on the back of the bus, the discrimination was legal. King challenged the system and forced it to change. Bad laws were eradicated. King’s voice was to make America “right” and to correct the legal “wrongs.”

Dr. King was a change agent

When you think of Dr. King you think of change. He was a change agent. The word change is used a lot in the political jargon these days. But it was King’s movement that brought forth systemic change.

King was a profound man in a profane world. His leadership style is still admired and studied today. He changed a country. He changed a people. He challenged. He was the pathway for Black America’s full citizenship.

As we celebrate King’s birthday, remember King for how he actually lived his life. He was strong. He was committed. His was a powerful authentic voice. He did not shy away from the issues of the day. He addressed them, even when he was criticized and scorned for doing so. He spoke truth to power.

King’s moral voice was loud, it is missing today as the world has gone wild. I wonder where King’s movement would be today, utilizing social media tools. I wonder if he would have gone viral.

Brilliant Fashion Classes at San Diego Community College

Regards all Fashion Students

We have several classes that have openings for students:

Fash 141: Pattern II Tuesday evenings This course will allow you to
advance you patternmaking skills to the next level.

Fash 150: Advanced Design: Wednesday evenings - Students in this class will
culminate their skills to build a collection of clothing

Fash 162: Millinery: Blocking - Wednesday, late afternoon, first 8 weeks -
students will create a hat by blocking pattern techniques

Fash 178: Portfolio and Publishing - T Th mornings, This is a required
course for both the Fashion Merchandising Degree/certificates and the
Technology degrees/certificates. It is only offered in Spring semesters.
Students learn how to create fashion published materials using InDesign.
Although it is an Honors course, you can feel free to sign up. We do a few
more projects, which helps you learn the skills to a higher level.

We will be canceling Fash 135 Tailoring and offering it at a future date.
If you know of students interested in any of the classes listed above,
encourage them to sign up.

The schedule can be found at

http://schedule.sdccd.edu/index.cfm?action=search_class

Jan 15, 2014

peacock jigsaw jam

Jan 14, 2014

WSJ Speakeasy's Jason Evans on the Blacklist

‘The Blacklist’ Season 1, Episode 11, ‘The Good Samaritan Killer’: TV Recap

By Jason Evans

: ‘The Blacklist’; NBC – 2013 NBCUniversal Media, LLC

It has been about a month since we left our beloved Red and Liz from “The Blacklist.” Tonight’s episode promises to be a fun one because “Red is a man on a mission.” At least that is what Blacklist Executive Producer Jon Bokenkamp told me in an interview. Check out everything he has to say about the show’s success and where it is going.

As I am sure you recall, when we last left our characters, they were reeling from the invasion of the FBI blacksite by Anslo Garrick. Garrick had the help of some mole within the FBI that allowed him to kill a bunch of agents and grab and torture Red. No one knows who the mole is. Red, meanwhile, is free of his FBI tracker and can do whatever he wants. But I bet he will still be keeping a close eye on whatever Liz is up to! Let’s see what happens tonight…

Things begin at a Chuck E CheeseCEC -0.68% kind of place. A woman named Karen is dropping her son off at a party. A man named James comes up and chats with her. He gives her some punch. A few moments later, Karen goes outside and collapses. When she comes to, James has her. He drugged her and kidnaped her. He has her strapped to some kind of operating table with a bunch of tools and medical equipment. He talks about how he is going to puncture her lung and break her collarbone.

James later leaves Karen dying by the side of the road. James is a serial killer known as “The Good Samaritan.” He killer is played by noted character actor Frank Whaley, who I will forever remember from his role in the film Pulp Fiction.

We check in with Tom and Liz. A surveillance van has been watching their house all night. Liz tells Tom that everyone from the FBI blacksite has been under nonstop surveillance while they try to figure out who the mole is. Tom says he wants to be a normal couple and that he is going to interview for a teaching job in Nebraska. Liz doesn’t like that idea but before they can talk about it, she finds out that The Good Samaritan has struck again. She has been investigating the Samaritan for many years.

AT FBI HQ we see all the members of the Blacklist FBI team being questioned as the Bureau tries to figure out who the mole is. FBI Dir. Cooper explains that he wants to let Liz look into the Samaritan case as a way of putting her back on the streets, hoping Red will reach out to her and allowing the FBI to capture Red again.

Time to check in with Red. He is standing over the coffin of his bodyguard, Luli, who was killed by Anslo Garrick. Red tracks down a man who worked with “the man with the apple,” who has been watching Liz through secret cameras in her house. One by one, we see Red talking to people who worked against him. They were all underlings who seem to know nothing. Still, each of the people he questions end up dead. Red is truly “on fire!”

Liz is back at home. He phone rings and it is Red. He knows she is looking into the Good Samaritan. Red gives Liz a hint about the case, saying that maybe she should look into how the Samaritan tortures his victims to see if there is some pattern there. Liz figures out that the latest Samaritan victim was given the exact same injuries her child suffered from, perhaps indicating that the child was abused and the Samaritan was exacting some kind of revenge.

Dir. Cooper tells Agent Malik that she has been cleared and he wants her to help him figure out who the mole is. He wants her to look into some secret bank accounts to see if the FBI mole is getting money from them.

Back to Red, who bursts into a restaurant and shoots a bunch of bodyguards belonging to a man named Theordore. He has figured out that Theodore is the one who paid off all the underlings. After some intense questioning, Theodore tells Red that the money was wired to his New York office. Red then kills him (in a fun way that makes it appear Red is going to burn him but ends with Red just shooting Theo instead).

Liz and Agent Ressler, who is still recovering from his bad leg wound, go to question the Samaritan’s victim’s son. He tells them that his mom abused him. Liz figures out that the Samaritan is a vigilante, targeting abusers. We see the vigilante tending to his mother, who is in a wheel chair. It reminds me of a scene out of Psycho with Norman Bates, though the Samaritan’s mom is not dead, she just appears immobile.

The Samaritan works in a hospital ER. That is how he is able to see the medical records on people who make repeated visits to the hospital due to injuries from abuse.

Red approaches a man named Henry in New York. Red tells Henry that he knows Henry was “the bank” for the operation against Red. He tells Henry to give him all the wire transfer info. Red says he needs the info by tomorrow.

Agent Malik figures out that the bank transactions all lead back to FBI tech specialist Aram. But before she can pick him up, we find that Red has him. Red tells Aram that he must hack into a bank account and transfer 5 million dollars into one of Red’s accounts. Red puts a colt 45 on the table and explains that he can take the gun apart and put it back together in 2 minutes. He tells Aram that if Aram has not figured out how to transfer the money in those 2 minutes, Red will use the re-assembled gun to kill Aram.

What follows is an incredible intense scene of Aram furiously typing on the computer while Red plays with the gun parts. Aram beats the deadline and explains how he did the untraceable transaction. Red says the untraceable transaction proves that Aram is not the mole. The mole left behind an easy to follow money trail. Red says he is going to find the mole and kill him.

Back to the Samaritan case. He is in a domestic abuse support group containing the boyfriend of a woman the Samaritan helped in the hospital. The Samaritan tells the group how his mother abused him. He says he has moved forward and is now close to his mother. Later, he talks to the boyfriend.

Red goes to visit the banker, Henry at Henry’s home. He knows Henry set up a dummy bank transaction to set up Aram. Red shoots Henry in the leg at the dinner table while Henry’s wife screams. “I want a name, Henry” he says. “Newton Phillips,” says Henry. Red leaves Henry alive.

The Samaritan has taken the abusive boyfriend to his “operating room.” The Samaritan wheels his mother in so she can watch him torture the boyfriend. All of the serial killings appear to be part of an elaborate and ongoing revenge plan on his mother.

At the FBI, Liz puts everything together and figure out that the Samaritan is an ER nurse who works at different hospitals. She knows his identity and figures out he is committing all his murders at his mother’s home. Liz bursts in just in time to stop the Samaritan from killing anyone else. She shoots him as he is about to kill his mother.

Back at the FBI, Aram turns himself in and gives Dir. Cooper evidence that clears Aram. Cooper looks at the evidence and says, “Who is Newton Philips?”

We see Red dumping the ashes of Luli in the ocean. One of Red’s henchmen is nearby. Red calls out of the man, who is named Newton. Newton tells Red that the bad guys threatened his family and forced him to help them get Red. Red pulls out a plastic bag and slowly chokes Newton to death.

We see FBI Director Diane Fowler talking to three senior government officials. She tells them that the threat to the FBI has been eliminated. One of the men leans forward and begin berating her. It is Alan Alda!!! He’s the mysterious man who was behind Red’s torture. Well, that’s a twist we did not see coming!

Liz is back home and Red is there waiting for her. She wants to know if Red is back to work on the Blacklist. He tells her that he still knows someone on the inside was helping in the plan to get him. But, he is back to work on catching Blacklisters again.

And the episode is over!

This was another tour-de-force by James Spader. He has so much fun playing bad Red and we saw a lot of bad Red tonight. The story of the Samaritan was a bit of a yawner, it just did not matter to the overall plot. I am somewhat disappointed that Red did not figure out who the ultimate mole is, but that is probably something that will come in time. And it was nice to see that Alan Alda is going to do more than just show up for one episode. I wonder if they will ever start calling him by name or at least tell us what his job is. It appears he is some kind of high-ranking intelligence official. Someone high-up enough that he would be called to testify before a senate committee.

So, what did you think of the return of the show? Did you enjoy Red’s quest to find and kill everyone who had betrayed him? Chime in in the comment section and we’ll have a conversation. See you there!

If you want to read more of Jason Evans’ commentary on the Movie and TV industry, follow him on Twitter @TVFilmTalk and be sure to check our Speakeasy every Monday and Wednesday for his recaps of “The Blacklist” and “Arrow.”

cash in the canyon: south park san diego residents voice opposition to condo uprising

from the ronnie republic:

cash in the canyon: south park San Diego residents voice opposition to condo uprising

"Well, it's going to ruin the green space between Fir and Elm streets at the Grape Street Dog Park edge of the canyon running behind the houses on Granada in the South Park area of San Diego," sadly told by the neighbor putting up the flyers.

It does seem like the proposed condo complex, 5 residences, will be located right in the middle of the Balboa Park Trail that runs along the canyon from 28th street and adjacent to the dog park.

It's a beautiful area--there are walkers and dogs all day long using that path. Yes, I know well because it goes right behind my house and they are an easy view from my patio and kitchen.

This is basically the woods right in the middle of the city.

It is quite lovely. The residents must be in a surprised state to think houses and cars and a new road will be there instead of their sunset seen through the Eucalyptus grove.

Not to mention......red tail hawks, Barn owls and their children, coyotes, possums, squirrels, raccoons...you get the picture.

Everyone should see the Grape Street dog park and this Balboa Trail--it goes up and down the canyon on log steps, continuing past the dog park north, through the golf course, old oak groves and up the hill to the other portion of 28th street near Morley Field and Bird Park--it's all free including the vintage house tour.

Some of these long time neighbors of Golden Hills are up in arms--they are protective of their vintage digs.

grape street dog park 043

This is basically where the houses will be. This is a picture of the Balboa Park Trail running along Granada on the edge of the dog park.

Who to call...what to do.....

according to the poster and the neighbors who will be affected the city will be advised by the Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee.......

Patrick Hooper, City Project Manager
619-557-7992
phooper@sandiego.gov

Ruchell Alvarez, Chair of the Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee
goldenhillplanningcommittee@gmail.com

Project Number: 335589

Project Name: Fir Street SDP and Public Row Vac

update 1-18-14:

according to a neighbor very affected by the planned condo development....there will be a road on the hill up to and edging the dog park. Will the road be in the path of the Balboa Park Trail? He said he had seen the plans and they are quite unnatural.

Personally, I am worried about the baby barn owls. They have children every year, around May, in this Eucalyptus Grove.

I do not have knowledge of the plan or any info other than chatting with the neighbors as I go to the dog park each day.

I did try to contact the above committee chair, Alvarez and Hooper. Alvarez replied by e-mail that he did not have any comment at this time.

Please feel free to post your thoughts--agree or disagree--as that is part of the story and community information.

One of the very concerned residents felt like it would be a good idea for everyone to send e-mails to the above address.

South Park is located within the Golden Hills area of San Diego. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods and it borders Balboa Park.

Here is a link to my story on the dog park showing the beauty of the area:

http://theronnierepublic.blogspot.com/2012/08/grape-streetthe-best-dog-park-in-san.html

ronnie

here is a story about the baby owls of the grape street dog park:

http://theronnierepublic.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-baby-owl-of-grape-street-dog-park.html

some of the neighbors started a campaign on facebook called: Protect the 28th street canyon coalition.....here is a link to that page:

https://www.facebook.com/protect28thStreet?ref=stream&filter=3

Jan 16, 2014

N'DIGO's Hermene Hartman on Bill O'Reilly: I Support President Obama and Reverend Jeremiah Wright

Hermene Hartman on Bill O'Reilly: Talking About Reverend Jeremiah Wright

Dan on Ann: Dan Borchers Writes about Ann Coulter on Coulter Watch

Hermane Hartman: The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King--N'Digo

Dr. King's Voice

Brilliant Fashion Classes at San Diego Community College

Jan 15, 2014

peacock jigsaw jam

Jan 14, 2014

WSJ Speakeasy's Jason Evans on the Blacklist

‘The Blacklist’ Season 1, Episode 11, ‘The Good Samaritan Killer’: TV Recap

JAMES SPADER

NBC

THE BLACKLIST

TV RECAP

cash in the canyon: south park san diego residents voice opposition to condo uprising

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Jan 16, 2014

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Dr. King's Voice

Jan 15, 2014

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