Kudos to Warren, the People's Attorney. I agree that we should do a national boycott, but not for one day. If we boycott Friday and then buy what we would have bought Friday and more on Saturday, no one will be hurt. Since the mainstream of Americans are becoming more conscious of their spending out of necessity, the idea of not buying luxuries like exhorbitantly priced cars, clothes, handbags, shoes, HD and Plasma TVs, High priced cell phones and music mediums, Gaming systems, high priced cameras, and premium cable tv packages that most can't afford anyway, and high priced hairdos ($200 for too tight braids that take our hair out because we leave it up for too long.), should be avoided if at all possible through the Christmas Holiday. This will not only demonstrate our clout since Black Americans buy more luxury items per $ earned than any other group anyway, but this will have a positive impact on our indebtedness, our credit scores, our ability to live within our means, etc. and could probably prevent many of us from losing our homes and our marriages, and getting back in charge of our finances. We will not only be hurting white America where it hurts, but will impact foreign trade in the US, as well as positively impact pricing of merchandise in America. We have seen that as the demand falls for high priced items, the price for them goes down and the quality goes up. I believe this will happen for automobiles, electronics, cable TV, gas prices. In addition, we should limit our travel to that which is necessary and spend more time with our families and out of high priced hotels. When we need vacations, we should only take advantage of specials that give a great deal more for the money than the usual market. It's amazing that Black hair care is almost entirely controlled by a group that doesn't use it at all, and the oil, electronics, toys, and the most reliable automobile markets are foreign held. Let's take back our economy and control prices here at home.

Yeah I agree but we should boycott until their is justice in this country especially for us black people. I'm tired seeing the injustice thats going on this country.

i totally agree with this statement. i personally have decided to curb my spending habits down to a bare minimum.

Warren I am a truthfighter and a big fan of your show. However, a comment you made last week concerned me. You reduced Michael Baisden to being "just a DJ" but you failed to realize that this "DJ" through his radio show motivated thousands to march on Jena and I think credit needs to be given for that reason alone. Also the largest movemnet of Blacks in my life time was organized by a Muslim. This movement as you referred to it as, is not about whether someone knows more legally than you do and it is not about whether or not someone believes in Christ, it is about social injustice. I truly support not spending any money on a particular day and on your show you talk about how the word needs to get out to America. Don't you think that a Michael Baisden who may have access to a wider market can help with the cause just like you helped with the movement on Sept. 20th. I just wanted to write in and say that we all need one another and this is not the time to be divided. We can disagree but still walk together. The Black DJ's of America were directly responsible for the thousands of people including myself that March for Justice in Jena.

Greetings Mr. Ballentine

I was listening to your show yesterday and was saddened by one of your callers who is using a public defendant and not getting the help she needs. Too many black people end up in jail, simply because they couldn't afford an attorney. I am sure you are aware of this more than me..

The reason I’m emailing you tonight is, I wanted to ask you if you've heard of Pre Paid Legal Services. www.PrePaidLegal.com ? I feel that a lot more people can benefit from this service.

Yes, I am biased, as I have a membership and I am also an associate, though I am a little reluctant to email you like, because I didn't want you to get the impression that I am spamming your email account, but I decided to email you because I believe that for someone who has a membership, it could make a big difference. The difference a fire extinguisher makes when there is fire; though must people have a fire extinguisher at home and hardly need it. Thank God

You may already know about this service, if not, I would invite you to check out their website. If you would like more information please feel free to contact me. My email address is LifeCoachAde@yahoo.com and my number is 404.838.3392

Peace and Blessings
Ade Anifowose

Warren,

I am a Truth Fighter, first off which is the reason I thought I needed to send this e-mail. I was listening to your show today and I have a few issues with the things you said. I love your show 99 percent of the time but the comments you made about Hispanic people are in my opinion generalzied statements. First off, Puerto Ricans are not basically "Black Mexicans". Puerto Ricans are Spanish and Black. The Spanish brought them as slaves to the country that is known today as Puerto Rico Just like the Domincans. I believe Puerto Ricans have it better than Mexicans because Puerto Rico is an U.S. Territory. Mexico isn't. Due to that fact, I've seen a lot of Puerto Ricans make negative comments about Mexicans. Basically saying they are superior to them. Saying Mexicans hate Black people is like saying Black people hate white people. Yes there are a few out there that do, but I'm Black and Hispanic people including Mexicans have shown me nothing but love. If you check out History, the Mexicans came from the Aztecs. The Spanish came over there and conquered them, took their language, culture, and gold. For the most part, what we call today the United States belonged to Mexico. Especially the southwestern states. No other nationality that you mentioned today can say that. The Nigerians, Hatians, etc. I think sometimes you divide us with the comments you make. The only way for us to have real power is for Black and Brown to work together. Thank you for your time and for keeping us informed.

H.L.

I believe that All Black people should refuse to buy anything for Christmas. Thats the biggest shopping holiday and I believe that would be the best thing for us to do to break the web of consumerism in our children and also bring black people together for a common cause. the marches are working but now we need to let our money talk.

Boycott Christmas I know for a fact people will be talking about this. and I believe it will also bring black people closer and save us some money. We can start a movement across the country. Don't purchase anything for anyone on and around the holidays. That would hit them hard.

Warren,

While the march/rally on Jena was noble, my biggest fear was confirmed. That fear was that a % of people simply went down there to take a day off from work and to be seen(starstruck)w/Baisden, Joyner, Sharpton, et al. I heard on your radio show(10-12-07)that Mychal Bell went back to jail and he/his family was basically…broke. How on Earth is this possible? I mean with all that "love" and "coming together" how could he/his family NOT have legal/living funds? His father just recently lost his job(go figure)so HE can't really help his son. How ironic that it took a physican to front Bell's bond while there were an estimated 50,000 people there. If one person gave just ONE dollar you'd have a minimum 50 grand(bond was 45 grand). Love is a wonderful thing but LOVE isn't going to keep Mychal Bell/family going and neither is "coming together as a people", "keepin' it real" or any other tired-ass cliche'. And as far as this seeming beef that Baisden seems to have against you(or vice-versa), I really don't give a damn cause it's nonsense as well as inconsequential anyways. Warren, thank you for having the guts to be as brutally honest as you are and I wish a lot more people(especially those who can/use radio as a platform)were just as frank about some things even if it's not always what's nice/touchy-feely. Keep up the good work.

In ref to Ade Anifowose & Pre Paid Legal,
I agree with Mr. Anifowose about having some type of legal representation on call if needed. If Pre-Paid Legal works for some and that is their only option then it should be their choice. I offer this. Again I am a police officer and the fury seems to be against the judicial system, law enforcement and those in my similar profession who have treated our people poorly. I deal with (minority) public defenders daily; they are overworked underpaid and not appreciated. They agree with me that OUR PEOPLE do not understand the legal system. That is why PLEA BARGAINING is a common legal practice. Our people are suffering for a lack of knowledge. Our people get arrested because they do not understand the laws and how they apply to them. Most problems, from my experience, that people complain about the police can be avoided (by not getting involved with illegal activity) or through better education (by understanding the law to avoid getting caught up in illegal activity). The underlying factor is this, ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. I whole-heartedly support the Jena Operation. It is unjust and unfair and unequal, point blank. Yet, and still from what I have seen (as a police officer and as a parole officer) is that WE get caught up in mess. Education is the key, and knowing the game should be the plan. Mr. Anifowose I would implore you to educate those around you. I charge everyone readings this to study your state laws and local county ordnances. You don’t have to agree with it but as long as you live in this country YOU ARE GOVERNED BY IT.

I agree, one day to boycott is not going to do make much difference. In the 60's when Martin Luther King, Jr. organized the bus boycott it lasted for days till the transportation dept got the message. I think the boycott should last until we get justice. Then the message will be loud and clear.

Rapper Nas is striaght Trippin Truth fighters!!!

http://nativeson.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/nas-is-straight-trippin/

Truth Fighters! What a great name for a website. It goes a long way to explaining your mission in life, fighting against the truth.

Shall we create new hate crime laws and make them retroactive so we can try these White students? Since they broke no local, state, or federal law, maybe you would like to see the UN or some other international court try these students.

I know that many people are offended by the nooses in the tree, but when did offending someone become a federal hate crime?

Since the victim of the attack was White and the attackers were Black, shouldn't you be calling that a hate crime as well? Shouldn't the Jena 6 be charged with hate crimes as well?

Keep up the good work and keep fighting against the truth.

i am a functional literate white guy 45yo. please bear with me and my gramer/spelling.

just the other night some group was going to protest something or other,and i said to my wife. " if these groups ALL worked together,,the blacks,gays,transgendered,white woman,fat people,floor sweepers,sky watchers for aliens,dog groomers, ect ect,,, and marched together and witheld their moneys together,,,,you watch how fast we the people get our nation back."

the man loves the seperate powerless(mostly) groups making noise and STAYING SEPERATE or even , attacking other groups for what the government, fed. or state is or is not doing for the people.
so along with grievances with thee government,we create others amung the individual groups/interests,in this way, we the people will continue to get ignored,abused,and somtimes incarcerated. TOGETHER, none of the above could happen to us or the fella next door or 'cross town.

if ALL the members of these various groups, worked together for just ONE time,,say as a trial thing,,, watch what would happen. and if im wrong in my idea,and nothing changes,,nothing is lost.

to me it seems as a win/win for the citizens.

the most important thing is our fed/state govenrment MUST get the message that THEY work for us,they are simply employees,,nothing more.

we ought to learn to say "senator" "congressman" or "governor" the same way these "employees" say janitor,maid,or poolboy, [ in private and with a sickening chuckle ] and with the same derogatory contempt in meaning and tone.,,,,,, AND MEAN IT!

as things are now,, we fear them and they know it.

spend less,and maybe join a group that dosnt exactly have YOUR issues in mind.

again,if ALL the groups that want various changes to take place ALL joined together,,,,the way i see it,, the folks in charge wouldnt have a choice to do what we demand.. demand mind you,not ask politly.

just food for thought.maybe some of you more educated people can phrase my idea in a better way to make more people see what it is im trying to say.then maybe put a trial multigroup issue forward and see what might happen,AND what WOULD happen if ignored,or just placated with words but no action. maybe,buy only items needed to live,,,for 7 solid days at first.
7 days of maybe 50000 or 1.5 million or 30 million citizens spending on food and maybe fuel to get to work/school. not a penny more. if they laugh it off,,make it 3 months,,,huge corps would go under. watch them hear our complaints,wants,expectations next time.
our money might be more powerfull than our vote.

other wise,,one day well all get fed up,,and the next cival war that will be fought,,,, it will only be fought over taking our nation back. north n south, white n black,poor n poorer,gay, straight,,,,,,citizens first.

we the sheeple lost our nation some years back.now is a good a time as any to make our elected employees learn their place

(the people now in charge that we trusted will have no where to hide)

good luck america,,your gonna need it.

roy
fulton,ny

Black Americans should take the Friday, Nov 2nd boycott a step further. First, our boycott should be directed at US Gov. policy. Second, it will demand courage so few will get involved. Third, we should vow to not spend $$ every Friday until we have fair housing practices, adequate education for the poor, and that we are treated equally just like Caucasians in the US Justice system. We can do this people just like MLK asked Blacks not to ride the bus, well this is our (Montgomery, Alabama) moment to make things better for the next generation. We have to be clear that it is unacceptable the way the prosecutor in Jena over zealously went after our children because of the Blackness of their skin. We must as African Americans begin to develop a spine and protect our children like a rabid Momma Bear. A lot of Black leaders will disagree because they are in bed with various sponsors and the white man’s dollar. But we the people can do better. Who is with me??? NO more spending money on Fridays and if you are real serious slow it down on Saturday also. We don’t want corporate America to think that they will just get the $$$ back on Saturday. We must unite and demand change from an America that is slowly turning their backs on us.

Mr. Ballentine, please comment and sign off on my suggestion. You inspired me to think this way.

thank.you.thank you.thank you. jc

Media myths about the Jena 6
A local journalist tells the story you haven't heard.
By Craig Franklin

Jena, La.
By now, almost everyone in America has heard of Jena, La., because they've all heard the story of the "Jena 6." White students hanging nooses barely punished, a schoolyard fight, excessive punishment for the six black attackers, racist local officials, public outrage and protests – the outside media made sure everyone knew the basics.

There's just one problem: The media got most of the basics wrong. In fact, I have never before witnessed such a disgrace in professional journalism. Myths replaced facts, and journalists abdicated their solemn duty to investigate every claim because they were seduced by a powerfully appealing but false narrative of racial injustice.

I should know. I live in Jena. My wife has taught at Jena High School for many years. And most important, I am probably the only reporter who has covered these events from the very beginning.

The reason the Jena cases have been propelled into the world spotlight is two-fold: First, because local officials did not speak publicly early on about the true events of the past year, the media simply formed their stories based on one-side's statements – the Jena 6. Second, the media were downright lazy in their efforts to find the truth. Often, they simply reported what they'd read on blogs, which expressed only one side of the issue.

The real story of Jena and the Jena 6 is quite different from what the national media presented. It's time to set the record straight.

Myth 1: The Whites-Only Tree. There has never been a "whites-only" tree at Jena High School. Students of all races sat underneath this tree. When a student asked during an assembly at the start of school last year if anyone could sit under the tree, it evoked laughter from everyone present – blacks and whites. As reported by students in the assembly, the question was asked to make a joke and to drag out the assembly and avoid class.

Myth 2: Nooses a Signal to Black Students. An investigation by school officials, police, and an FBI agent revealed the true motivation behind the placing of two nooses in the tree the day after the assembly. According to the expulsion committee, the crudely constructed nooses were not aimed at black students. Instead, they were understood to be a prank by three white students aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo team. (The students apparently got the idea from watching episodes of "Lonesome Dove.") The committee further concluded that the three young teens had no knowledge that nooses symbolize the terrible legacy of the lynchings of countless blacks in American history. When informed of this history by school officials, they became visibly remorseful because they had many black friends. Another myth concerns their punishment, which was not a three-day suspension, but rather nine days at an alternative facility followed by two weeks of in-school suspension, Saturday detentions, attendance at Discipline Court, and evaluation by licensed mental-health professionals. The students who hung the nooses have not publicly come forward to give their version of events.

Myth 3: Nooses Were a Hate Crime. Although many believe the three white students should have been prosecuted for a hate crime for hanging the nooses, the incident did not meet the legal criteria for a federal hate crime. It also did not meet the standard for Louisiana's hate-crime statute, and though widely condemned by all officials, there was no crime to charge the youths with.

Myth 4: DA's Threat to Black Students. When District Attorney Reed Walters spoke to Jena High students at an assembly in September, he did not tell black students that he could make their life miserable with "the stroke of a pen." Instead, according to Walters, "two or three girls, white girls, were chit-chatting on their cellphones or playing with their cellphones right in the middle of my dissertation. I got a little irritated at them and said, 'Pay attention to me. I am right now having to deal with an aggravated rape case where I've got to decide whether the death penalty applies or not.' I said, 'Look, I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. With the stroke of a pen I can make your life miserable so I want you to call me before you do something stupid.'"

Mr. Walters had been called to the assembly by police, who had been at the school earlier that day dealing with some students who were causing disturbances. Teachers and students have confirmed Walters's version of events.

Myth 5: The Fair Barn Party Incident. On Dec. 1, 2006, a private party – not an all-white party as reported – was held at the local community center called the Fair Barn. Robert Bailey Jr., soon to be one of the Jena 6, came to the party with others seeking admittance.

When they were denied entrance by the renter of the facility, a white male named Justin Sloan (not a Jena High student) at the party attacked Bailey and hit him in the face with his fist. This is reported in witness statements to police, including the victim, Robert Bailey, Jr.

Months later, Bailey contended he was hit in the head with a beer bottle and required stitches. No medical records show this ever occurred. Mr. Sloan was prosecuted for simple battery, which according to Louisiana law, is the proper charge for hitting someone with a fist.

Myth 6: The "Gotta-Go" Grocery Incident. On Dec. 2, 2006, Bailey and two other black Jena High students were involved in an altercation at this local convenience store, stemming from the incident that occurred the night before. The three were accused by police of jumping a white man as he entered the store and stealing a shotgun from him. The two parties gave conflicting statements to police. However, two unrelated eye witnesses of the event gave statements that corresponded with that of the white male.

Myth 7: The Schoolyard Fight. The event on Dec. 4, 2006 was consistently labeled a "schoolyard fight." But witnesses described something much more horrific. Several black students, including those now known as the Jena 6, barricaded an exit to the school's gym as they lay in wait for Justin Barker to exit. (It remains unclear why Mr. Barker was specifically targeted.)

When Barker tried to leave through another exit, court testimony indicates, he was hit from behind by Mychal Bell. Multiple witnesses confirmed that Barker was immediately knocked unconscious and lay on the floor defenseless as several other black students joined together to kick and stomp him, with most of the blows striking his head. Police speculate that the motivation for the attack was related to the racially charged fights that had occurred during the previous weekend.

Myth 8: The Attack Is Linked to the Nooses. Nowhere in any of the evidence, including statements by witnesses and defendants, is there any reference to the noose incident that occurred three months prior. This was confirmed by the United States attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Donald Washington, on numerous occasions.

Myth 9: Mychal Bell's All-White Jury. While it is true that Mychal Bell was convicted as an adult by an all-white jury in June (a conviction that was later overturned with his case sent to juvenile court), the jury selection process was completely legal and withstood an investigation by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Court officials insist that several black residents were summoned for jury duty, but did not appear.

Myth 10: Jena 6 as Model Youth. While some members were simply caught up in the moment, others had criminal records. Bell had at least four prior violent-crime arrests before the December attack, and was on probation during most of this year.

Myth 11: Jena Is One of the Most Racist Towns in America. Actually, Jena is a wonderful place to live for both whites and blacks. The media's distortion and outright lies concerning the case have given this rural Louisiana town a label it doesn't deserve.

Myth 12: Two Levels of Justice. Outside protesters were convinced that the prosecution of the Jena 6 was proof of a racially biased system of justice. But the US Justice Department's investigation found no evidence to support such a claim. In fact, the percentage of blacks and whites prosecuted matches the parish's population statistics.

These are just 12 of many myths that are portrayed as fact in the media concerning the Jena cases. (A more thorough review of all events can be found at www.thejenatimes.net – click on Chronological Order of Events.)

As with the Duke Lacrosse case, the truth about Jena will eventually be known. But the town of Jena isn't expecting any apologies from the media. They will probably never admit their error and have already moved on to the next "big" story. Meanwhile in Jena, residents are getting back to their regular routines, where friends are friends regardless of race. Just as it has been all along.

• Craig Franklin is assistant editor of The Jena Times.

Ballentine, sharpton & jackson are terrorists, who propagate lies and misconception. Making so-called hero's out of low-life thugs. March on that!!!! You make me sick!

Media myths about the Jena 6
A local journalist tells the story you haven't heard.
By Craig Franklin

Jena, La.
By now, almost everyone in America has heard of Jena, La., because they've all heard the story of the "Jena 6." White students hanging nooses barely punished, a schoolyard fight, excessive punishment for the six black attackers, racist local officials, public outrage and protests – the outside media made sure everyone knew the basics.

There's just one problem: The media got most of the basics wrong. In fact, I have never before witnessed such a disgrace in professional journalism. Myths replaced facts, and journalists abdicated their solemn duty to investigate every claim because they were seduced by a powerfully appealing but false narrative of racial injustice.

I should know. I live in Jena. My wife has taught at Jena High School for many years. And most important, I am probably the only reporter who has covered these events from the very beginning.

The reason the Jena cases have been propelled into the world spotlight is two-fold: First, because local officials did not speak publicly early on about the true events of the past year, the media simply formed their stories based on one-side's statements – the Jena 6. Second, the media were downright lazy in their efforts to find the truth. Often, they simply reported what they'd read on blogs, which expressed only one side of the issue.

The real story of Jena and the Jena 6 is quite different from what the national media presented. It's time to set the record straight.

Myth 1: The Whites-Only Tree. There has never been a "whites-only" tree at Jena High School. Students of all races sat underneath this tree. When a student asked during an assembly at the start of school last year if anyone could sit under the tree, it evoked laughter from everyone present – blacks and whites. As reported by students in the assembly, the question was asked to make a joke and to drag out the assembly and avoid class.

Myth 2: Nooses a Signal to Black Students. An investigation by school officials, police, and an FBI agent revealed the true motivation behind the placing of two nooses in the tree the day after the assembly. According to the expulsion committee, the crudely constructed nooses were not aimed at black students. Instead, they were understood to be a prank by three white students aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo team. (The students apparently got the idea from watching episodes of "Lonesome Dove.") The committee further concluded that the three young teens had no knowledge that nooses symbolize the terrible legacy of the lynchings of countless blacks in American history. When informed of this history by school officials, they became visibly remorseful because they had many black friends. Another myth concerns their punishment, which was not a three-day suspension, but rather nine days at an alternative facility followed by two weeks of in-school suspension, Saturday detentions, attendance at Discipline Court, and evaluation by licensed mental-health professionals. The students who hung the nooses have not publicly come forward to give their version of events.

Myth 3: Nooses Were a Hate Crime. Although many believe the three white students should have been prosecuted for a hate crime for hanging the nooses, the incident did not meet the legal criteria for a federal hate crime. It also did not meet the standard for Louisiana's hate-crime statute, and though widely condemned by all officials, there was no crime to charge the youths with.

Myth 4: DA's Threat to Black Students. When District Attorney Reed Walters spoke to Jena High students at an assembly in September, he did not tell black students that he could make their life miserable with "the stroke of a pen." Instead, according to Walters, "two or three girls, white girls, were chit-chatting on their cellphones or playing with their cellphones right in the middle of my dissertation. I got a little irritated at them and said, 'Pay attention to me. I am right now having to deal with an aggravated rape case where I've got to decide whether the death penalty applies or not.' I said, 'Look, I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. With the stroke of a pen I can make your life miserable so I want you to call me before you do something stupid.'"

Mr. Walters had been called to the assembly by police, who had been at the school earlier that day dealing with some students who were causing disturbances. Teachers and students have confirmed Walters's version of events.

Myth 5: The Fair Barn Party Incident. On Dec. 1, 2006, a private party – not an all-white party as reported – was held at the local community center called the Fair Barn. Robert Bailey Jr., soon to be one of the Jena 6, came to the party with others seeking admittance.

When they were denied entrance by the renter of the facility, a white male named Justin Sloan (not a Jena High student) at the party attacked Bailey and hit him in the face with his fist. This is reported in witness statements to police, including the victim, Robert Bailey, Jr.

Months later, Bailey contended he was hit in the head with a beer bottle and required stitches. No medical records show this ever occurred. Mr. Sloan was prosecuted for simple battery, which according to Louisiana law, is the proper charge for hitting someone with a fist.

Myth 6: The "Gotta-Go" Grocery Incident. On Dec. 2, 2006, Bailey and two other black Jena High students were involved in an altercation at this local convenience store, stemming from the incident that occurred the night before. The three were accused by police of jumping a white man as he entered the store and stealing a shotgun from him. The two parties gave conflicting statements to police. However, two unrelated eye witnesses of the event gave statements that corresponded with that of the white male.

Myth 7: The Schoolyard Fight. The event on Dec. 4, 2006 was consistently labeled a "schoolyard fight." But witnesses described something much more horrific. Several black students, including those now known as the Jena 6, barricaded an exit to the school's gym as they lay in wait for Justin Barker to exit. (It remains unclear why Mr. Barker was specifically targeted.)

When Barker tried to leave through another exit, court testimony indicates, he was hit from behind by Mychal Bell. Multiple witnesses confirmed that Barker was immediately knocked unconscious and lay on the floor defenseless as several other black students joined together to kick and stomp him, with most of the blows striking his head. Police speculate that the motivation for the attack was related to the racially charged fights that had occurred during the previous weekend.

Myth 8: The Attack Is Linked to the Nooses. Nowhere in any of the evidence, including statements by witnesses and defendants, is there any reference to the noose incident that occurred three months prior. This was confirmed by the United States attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Donald Washington, on numerous occasions.

Myth 9: Mychal Bell's All-White Jury. While it is true that Mychal Bell was convicted as an adult by an all-white jury in June (a conviction that was later overturned with his case sent to juvenile court), the jury selection process was completely legal and withstood an investigation by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Court officials insist that several black residents were summoned for jury duty, but did not appear.

Myth 10: Jena 6 as Model Youth. While some members were simply caught up in the moment, others had criminal records. Bell had at least four prior violent-crime arrests before the December attack, and was on probation during most of this year.

Myth 11: Jena Is One of the Most Racist Towns in America. Actually, Jena is a wonderful place to live for both whites and blacks. The media's distortion and outright lies concerning the case have given this rural Louisiana town a label it doesn't deserve.

Myth 12: Two Levels of Justice. Outside protesters were convinced that the prosecution of the Jena 6 was proof of a racially biased system of justice. But the US Justice Department's investigation found no evidence to support such a claim. In fact, the percentage of blacks and whites prosecuted matches the parish's population statistics.

These are just 12 of many myths that are portrayed as fact in the media concerning the Jena cases. (A more thorough review of all events can be found at www.thejenatimes.net – click on Chronological Order of Events.)

As with the Duke Lacrosse case, the truth about Jena will eventually be known. But the town of Jena isn't expecting any apologies from the media. They will probably never admit their error and have already moved on to the next "big" story. Meanwhile in Jena, residents are getting back to their regular routines, where friends are friends regardless of race. Just as it has been all along.

• Craig Franklin is assistant editor of The Jena Times.

Regardless of who is right or wrong about Jena, I myself, have come to the conclusion that caucasians in the U.S. would like to portray the image of being friends to the Blacks(including Mexicans and other minorities), but the only integration they really want are us spending our money with them. As once said by a great man, ( they preach integration but practice separation). I can only imagine in the 60's when we protested, caucasians just knew we wanted liberation just as Marcus Garvey preached. Being we had no legs to stand on as a people, we pretty much had to settle for what they gave us. For we know that all those seeking liberation in the past were sent to Liberia and Sierra Leone, remember? Just to be put in a harder situation, but at least they are truly free. In so many ways they already gave us our own land, all we have to do is move. So where does this leave us? There are options but will we fight for it?, because what it will take is human sacrifice…..wooo. The whole population of the world(6 billion) could fit in the state of IDAHO, 4 people deep, in a 50' by 50' square house. What I am trying to say is that why cant we have our own land here ,which we built. Democracy is really nothing but a spin off of our former greatness so let's keep that. It's all about how you implement it anyway. The problem is Capitalism(dog eat dog world) has eveyone forgetful about other peoples pain, and the Globalizationof capitalism has erased the borders, so the chance of being sovereign and challenging the system is null. Every people deserve that chance. With 40 million plus people and the opportunity for everyone to know the secrets of science,without having to pay our life away, out of that # will come the most brilliant minds you ever seen. You wonder why our young men and women fill the jails, are unemployed, no healthcare,no justice, no peace. It dont take 17 years of slow pace schooling to learn the sciencesand to have to pay 80 grand plus ,yet still, for 4 of those years. Yes I was born here, yes I learned what I could, but my people should not have to play the role of inferiority for noone. As a hueman being I am free so give me liberty or give me death. We know who the constitution was meant for. We also know that every Amendment, every Article, every Bill,every Act is just meant to appease us and prolongs the inevitable. And that is establishing our own. They know it will happen soon. It is not even a Law that we can vote. Wake up people.

Proud To Be White

Someone finally said it.
How many are actually paying attention to this?

There are African Americans,
Mexican Americans,
Asian Americans,
Arab Americans,
Native Americans, etc.
…And then there are just -
Americans.

You pass me on the street
and sneer in my direction.
You Call me 'White boy,'
'Cracker,' 'Honkey,'
'Whitey,' 'Caveman,'
…And that's OK.

But when I call you Nigger,
Kike, Towel head,
Sand-nigger, Camel Jockey,
Beaner, Gook, or Chink,
…You call me a racist.

You say that whites commit a lot
of violence against you,
so why are the ghettos the most
dangerous places to live?

You have the United Negro College Fund.
You have Hispanic History Month.
You have Martin Luther King Day.
You have Asian History Month.
You have Black History Month.
You have Cesar Chavez Day.
You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi.
You have Yom Hashoah.
You have Kwanza.
You have the NAACP.
And you have BET.

If we had WET
(White Entertainment Television)
…We'd be racists.

If we had a White Pride Day
…You would call us racists.

If we had White History Month
…We'd be racists.
If we had any organization for only whites
to 'advance' OUR lives,
…We'd be racists.

We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,
a Black Chamber of Commerce,
and then we just have the plain
Chamber of Commerce.
Wonder who pays for that?

If we had a college fund that only gave
white students scholarships
…You know we'd be racists.

There are over 60 openly-proclaimed
Black-only Colleges in the US ,
yet if there were 'White-only Colleges'
…THAT would be a racist college.

In the Million-Man March,
you believed that you were
marching for your race and rights.
If we marched for our race and rights,
…You would call us racists.

You are proud to be black,
brown, yellow and red,
and you're not afraid to announce it.
But when we announce our white pride
…You call us racists.!

You rob us,
carjack us,
and shoot at us.
But, when a white police officer
shoots a black gang member
or beats up a black drug-dealer
who is running from the LAW and
posing a threat to ALL of society
…You call him a racist.

I am proud.
…But, you call me a racist.

Why is it that only
whites
can be racists?

Bush convenes Plunge Protection Team
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, International Business Editor
Last Updated: 6:34am GMT 10/01/2008

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Bears beware. The New Deal of 2008 is in the works. The US Treasury is about to shower households with rebate cheques to head off a full-blown slump, and save the Bush presidency.

On Friday, Mr Bush convened the so-called Plunge Protection Team for its first known meeting in the Oval Office. The black arts unit - officially the President's Working Group on Financial Markets - was created after the 1987 crash.

Read more from Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
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It appears to have powers to support the markets in a crisis with a host of instruments, mostly by through buying futures contracts on the stock indexes (DOW, S&P 500, NASDAQ and Russell) and key credit levers. And it has the means to fry "short" traders in the hottest of oils.

Hank Paulson has faced an economic slowdown since leaving Wall Street
The team is led by Treasury chief Hank Paulson, ex-Goldman Sachs, a man with a nose for market psychology, and includes Fed chairman Ben Bernanke and the key exchange regulators.

Judging by a well-briefed report in the Washington Post, a mood of deep alarm has taken hold in the upper echelons of the administration. "What everyone's looking at is what is the fastest way to get money out there," said a Bush aide.

Emergency measures are now clearly on the agenda, apparently consisting of a mix of tax cuts for businesses and bungs for consumers. Fiscal action all too appropriate, regrettably.

We face a version of Keynes's "extreme liquidity preference" in the 1930s - banks are hoarding money, and the main credit arteries of the financial system remain blocked after five months.

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"In terms of any stimulus package, we're considering all options," said Mr Bush. This should be interesting to watch. The president is not one for half measures. He has already shown in Iraq and on biofuels that he will pursue policies a l'outrance once he gets the bit between his teeth.

The only question is what the president can manage to push through a Democrat Congress.

The Plunge Protection Team - long kept secret - was last mobilised to calm the markets after 9/11. It then went into hibernation during the long boom.

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Mr Paulson reactivated it last year, asking the staff to examine "systemic risk posed by hedge funds and derivatives, and the government's ability to respond to a financial crisis", he said.

It seems he failed to spot the immediate threat from mortgage securities and the implosion of the commercial paper market. But never mind.

The White House certainly has grounds for alarm. The global picture is darkening by the day. The Baltic Dry Index has been falling hard for seven weeks, signalling a downturn in bulk shipments. Singapore's economy contracted 3.2pc in the final quarter of last year, led by a slump in electronics and semiconductors.

The Tokyo bourse kicked off with the worst New Year slide in more than half a century as the Seven Samurai exporters buckled. The Topix is down 24pc from its peak. If Japan and Singapore are stalling, it is a fair bet that China's efforts to tighten credit are starting to bite. Asia is not going to rescue us. On the contrary.

Keep an eye on Japan, still the world's top creditor by far, with $3 trillion in net foreign assets. The Bank of Japan has been the biggest single source of liquidity for the global asset boom over the last five years. An army of investors - Japanese insurers and pension funds, housewives and hedge funds borrowing at near zero rates in Tokyo - have sprayed money across the Antipodes, South Africa, Brazil, Turkey, Iceland, Latvia, the US commercial paper market and the City of London.

The Japanese are now bringing the money home, as they always do when the cycle turns. The yen has risen 13pc against the dollar and 12pc against sterling since the summer. We are witnessing the long-feared unwind of the "carry trade", valued by BNP Paribas in all its forms at $1.4 trillion.

The US data is now relentlessly grim. Unemployment jumped from 4.7pc to 5pc - or 7.7m - in December, the biggest one-month rise since the dotcom bust and clear evidence that the housing crunch has spread to the real economy.

"At this point the debate is not about a soft land or hard landing; it is about how hard the hard landing will be," said Nouriel Roubini, professor of economics at New York University.

"Financial losses and defaults are spreading from sub-prime to near-prime and prime mortgages, to commercial real estate loans, to auto loans, credit cards and student loans, and sharply rising default rates on corporate bonds. A severe systemic financial crisis cannot be ruled out. This will be a much worse recession than the mild ones in 1990-91 and 2001," he said.

Sovereign wealth funds stand ready to rescue banks, as they have already rescued Citigroup and UBS. But as Moody's pointed out this week, the estimated $2,500bn in lost wealth from the US house price crash is more than the entire net worth of all the sovereign wealth funds in the world.

Add fresh losses as the property bubbles pop in Britain, Ireland, Australia, Spain, Greece, The Netherlands, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, as they surely must unless central banks opt for inflation (which would annihilate bonds instead, with equal damage), and you can discount $1,500bn in further attrition.

Not even a Bush New Deal can hold back the post-bubble tide that is drawing in across the globe. What it can do is buy time. Fortunately for America - and the world - the US budget deficit is a healthy 1.2pc of GDP ($163bn). Washington has the wherewithal to fund a fiscal blitz.

Britain has no such luxury. Our deficit is 3pc of GDP at the top of the cycle. Gordon Brown has shut the Keynesian door.

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