Saturday, July 26, 2008

Political Susu July 23, 2008 - with Mama ASID and Lady D

Political Susu July 23, 2008 - with Mama ASID and Lady D
Clean
July 26, 2008 06:56 PM PDT

Political Susu is a public service of ASID Hi-Power Radio and Irie ATL; co-produced by Mama ASID of BadGalsRadio and Lady D of Irie ATL's Drivetime Show. this show is new to our network, and will become a weekly feature - specifically to highlight Caribbean, and Global News about People Of Color.
If you've got a tip make sure to send us a link to the story, and a note, if you please. The global diasporic community is our focus, always.

Truth and Rights,

Mama ASID

Co-Producer the Political Susu Show on BadGalsRadio & IrieATL.com Radio.((((((((((((((((((((((((((( BADGALSRADIO 9 Years & Counting))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

listen to this episode by clicking hereListen to THIS WEEKS COMPLETE Episode Here

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REGGAE FOCUS -

Happy Earthborn Strong Empress Michelle of the Musical Ambassadors Posse'

RIP Roy Shirley - Reggaes' High Priest

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BLESS UP EMPRESS DR. MICHELLE ELLIOTT

OF MUSICAL AMBASSADOR RECORDS

The Entire Family of Musical Ambassador Records, BadGalsRadio; ASID Hi-Power Sound; Trenchtones; and All of the affiliates of the FoundationSound Radio Network; Send our Warmest Wishes for a Blessed and Happy Birthday to Empress Dr. Michelle Elliott; co- owner of Musical Ambassador Records. May Jah grant your every wish and bless you in abundance always; may today be the beginning of the best for you; forever. Thanks for Your Support and Guidance during our trying times. your insight is invaluable and without you we could never be .. Bless Up Empress Michelle

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RIP Roy Shirley - ‘Reggaes’ High Priest’ remembered

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 Jamaica Gleaner News - ‘High Priest’ remembered - Tuesday | July 22, 2008 ‘High Priest’ remembered published: Tuesday | July 22, 2008 Roy Shirley goes down on his knees as he wows the audience at the palace Theatre. - file ROY Shirley, the theatrical singer known as the High Priest of Reggae, has died. An entry on the Trojan Records website said Shirley passed away last week in Britain. No cause, or date of death, was given. Shirley was best known for the 1967 hit song, Hold Them, which was produced by a young Joe Gibbs. Several musicologists consider Hold Them to be the first rock steady song. Although he had other songs of note including I Am The Winner and Heartbreak Gypsy, a cover of soul singer Ben E King’s hit. Hold Them was the Kingston-born Shirley’s signature song. Early in his career, he worked with Jimmy Cliff and Ken Boothe, but never matched the chart success of those singers. Shirley’s penchant for drama (wore capes, ‘wept’ during performances) overshadowed his talent, but reggae historian Roger Steffens said there should be no disputing the mark he made on Jamaican music. “As an artiste, he was unique and inimitable. He had a voice like a squeezed mango, a stage manner that bordered on the absurd, and a strange offbeat sense of humour that found expression in odd songs like Dance the Auna and Music Field,” Steffens told The Gleaner. Shirley, who was 64, last performed in June at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in Boonville, California. He immigrated to England in 1973, and like many of his contemporaries, developed a cult following in that country. He last performed in Jamaica in 2004 at the Stars ‘R’ Us show. Roy Shirley facts Was born Ainsorth Roy Rushton Shirley. First song, Shirley, was done for producer Leslie Kong in 1962. Was founding member of vocal group The Uniques with singer Slim Smith. Founded the British Universal Talent Development Association. ---------------------------------------------------------------

GEORGIA NEWSBEAT

________________________________________________________________________ A Georgia school gets the paddles ready for the fall To spank or not to spank … that’s the question in Twiggs County, Ga., where principals are breaking out their paddles this fall to deter misbehaving. It won’t be the first time that the school district puts the wood to students who act up. Last year, for example, a second-grader was swatted for throwing pencils, as were others who were deemed too unruly for the standard time-out or other methods of discipline, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. But the policy was rarely used. Teachers and administrators can opt out if they desire, and parents must sign a permission slip to allow their children to be paddled. Read more of what the parents and teachers had to say at BET.com/News. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOUTHERN AFRICA - Our Africa Focus This Week

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Zimbabweans play the zero game

By Kathyrn Westcott BBC News
Quadrillion, quintillion, sextillion - crazy numbers with lots of zeros, that independent Zimbabwean economist John Robertson found himself chewing over with colleagues in the capital Harare this week.
Zimbabwe $10m note, January 2008
In January, the bank introduced a Z$10m note
The financial throes of the country are now so severe, that some people are seeking a new language to understand it. On Monday, the Zimbabwe government introduced the 100 billion Zimbabwe dollar note (for the uninitiated, a billion is nine zeros). The counting of zeros had already become a nightmare for bankers and shoppers before the introduction of the new note - which at the time of writing would buy about two loaves of bread. So far this year, the country ravaged by hyperinflation has been forced to print 100-million, 250-million and 500-million notes in rapid succession. All of them are now almost worthless. It has become common now for Zimbabweans to talk of their daily expenses in trillions (one trillion is 12 zeros). When John Robertson pinned a chart to the wall of office naming numbers up to twice as long, he says he “raised a bit of a laugh” from his colleagues. But for many officials and accountants, a quadrillion - a million billion - is the number of the day.
BIG NUMBERS
Quadrillion: 15 zeros
Quintillion: 18 zeros
Sextillion: 21 zeros
Septillion 24 zeros
This formulation is from the widely-used US system
Only last week, the Harare Herald advertised the Lotto bonanza prize being offered was 1.2 quadrillion Zimbabwean dollars. At the time, that was equivalent to around 4,000 US dollars. So how do Zimbabweans deal with such astronomical numbers? “I actually Googled what comes after trillion about a month ago, and sent that out to all my friends so they’d be prepared,” says 28-year-old Esther, a Harare resident who writes a regular diary for the BBC. Day-to-day transactions for ordinary people have not reached the quadrillion stage, she says, but even trillions present difficulties. “What is confusing is counting of the figures on your cheques as you try to make sure you are not under or over paying someone, or the struggling to read price tags in shops that have not yet knocked off zeros and so on,” she says. Hard currency This practice - knocking off zeros - is the most common way of preserving sanity. Most calculators simply cannot show enough digits.
Zimbabwe's $100bn note
The new note is three zeros short of Germany’s 1924 100-trillion-mark note
Tills throughout the country have been struggling to cope, as have banking computers, and accounting systems. As a result, the banks recently agreed to lop six zeros off transactions and documentation. Economist John Robertson predicts that within a month they will be forced to drop another three. The other main technique for keeping zeros under control, is to think in terms of a hard currency - in this case, US dollars. ----------------------------------------------------

S African police evict migrants

Foreigners at an informal gathering point in the centre of Cape Town, South Africa, 28 May 2008
Foreigners were forced into temporary camps in May

South African police have forcefully removed hundreds of immigrants from temporary shelters where they had taken refuge from xenophobic attacks.

Authorities say the immigrants, who were taken to a repatriation centre in Johannesburg, had not registered with the home affairs department. They now face deportation to their home countries, officials said. More than 60 immigrants were killed and tens of thousands more fled during the attacks against foreigners in May. A BBC reporter witnessed angry and emotional scenes at the Glenanda temporary centre as they were removed. Some immigrants chanted “human rights for refugees” as they were driven away by dozens of riot police. The BBC’s Mpho Lakaje said the immigrants taken from the camp, where about 2,000 people were sheltering, included women and children. “It is not the South African government’s intention to deport a huge group of people, but we want to identify the ring leaders [behind unrest at the camp] and deport them,” Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told South Africa’s Independent newspaper. ‘Very disappointed’ Home Affairs spokeswoman Cleo Mosana said the immigrants had been offered exemption from deportation but had not taken it up. She said they had been given enough time to apply for proper documentation, but had refused to do so. Many foreigners said the registration process was not clearly explained, or that they did not register because they feared losing their refugee status. The government denied this would happen. One woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo said her sister was among those taken away. “They are going back to their country, but I know in our country there is still fighting,” she said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JAMAICA - Our Caribbean Focus This Week

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GoodLawd The MP done made Marcus Garvey a Criminal Again?

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

Before You Quote History, or in this case Your Story, You Need To Know It.

Somebody PULLLLLEEEEEEEZEEE mandate history tests for all politicians globally; cause it they don’t know history how can they help develop the future. This is a pure example of pomposity in action LawdaMercy - to quote Shabba, who even knows better than this MP. ~RE Jamaica Gleaner News - Pardon us, Tom - King’s House gave senator wrong information on Garvey forgiveness - Tuesday | July 22, 2008 URL: Pardon us, Tom - King Pardon us, Tom - King’s House gave senator wrong information on Garvey forgiveness published: Tuesday | July 22, 2008 Tyrone Reid, Enterprise Reporter Tavares-finson King’s House has refused to say whether it has formally apologised to Senator Tom Tavares-Finson for incorrectly informing him that it had no record of a pardon being granted to Marcus Mosiah Garvey. By way of a letter, King’s House had told the senator that no such request was ever formally made on behalf of the country’s first National Hero, to expunge from the records two convictions for contempt of court on August 5 and September 26, 1929.But Rose-Marie Gibbs, the governor general’s acting secretary, said documents detailing the pardon were subsequently found. Grave embarrassment However, Gibbs refused to say where they were found. She also refused to say whether a formal apology has been made for misinforming the senator.The incorrect information was used by Tavares-Finson in his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on July 4 and has caused him much embarrassment, The Gleaner has learnt.

During the debate, Tavares-Finson called for a statutory declaration by Parliament to remove the designation of ‘convicted criminal’ from four National Heroes, including Marcus Garvey.

However, Garvey had already been pardoned in 1987 after the then Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Edward Seaga, petitioned then Governor General, Sir Florizel Glasspole, to posthumously grant the National Hero pardon.

Sources close to the senator told The Gleaner yesterday that since then, Tavares-Finson has been the butt of many jokes among his professional peers and members of the Senate.The source also revealed that Tavares-Finson had been even reprimanded by the prime minister for the boo-boo.

On the contrary, an article published in The Gleaner on August 18, 1987, confirmed that Garvey was post-humously granted pardon.The article also stated that Seaga made the announcement at Garvey Day ceremonies in St Ann’s Bay. When contacted yesterday, Seaga expressed certainty that the pardon sought by his Cabinet for Garvey was granted.

Tavares-Finson’s could not be reached yesterday, as he was said to be abroad on business. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bruce’s super squad - Police, army to flood JA under new anti-crime plan

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 Jamaica Gleaner News - Bruce’s super squad - Police, army to flood communities under new anti-crime plan - Tuesday | July 22, 2008 URL: Riot inmates relocated to Horizon Remand Centre Riot inmates relocated to Horizon Remand Centre published: Tuesday | July 22, 2008 Michelle-Ann Letman, Staff Reporter A member of the Jamaica Defence Force on the compound of the Gun Court remand facility on South Camp Road, Kingston, yesterday. Soldiers were called in to help restore calm after inmates started a riot there. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Lady D & Mama ASID's Political Susu July 17, 2008

Mama ASID's Political Susu July 17, 2008
Clean
July 18, 2008 09:23 AM PDT

The Lady D Show - Thursday, July 17, 2008 With Mama ASID OnIrieATL.com

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JAVAA’s first 12 inductees in Jamaica music hall of fame impressive - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM By Basil Walters Observer staff reporter - Monday, July 14, 2008

The Jamaican Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA), celebrated its fifth anniversary on Friday with the first induction for the Jamaica Music Hall of Fame, saluting a wide array of musical icons from mento to reggae. The salutation was not only for on-stage performers, but also for those behind-the-scene unsung heroes and one noteworthy institution. It was a well attended history-making ceremony held on the lawns of the Pegasus Hotel.

Seven of the individual inductees were honoured posthumously. These were legendary Folklorist/poet Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett-Coverly; master drummer and founder of the Mysic Revelation of Rastafari (MRR), Oswald Williams, aka Count Ossie; pioneer mento/calypsonian, Norman Thomas, better known as Lord Flea; founder of the Alpha Boys’ School, Sister Mary Ignatius Davies; legendary producer/director, Vere Johns, who founded the famous Opportunity Hour talent contest, legendary record producer, Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd of Studio One fame; and giant record producer Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid.

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Reggae Museum to Showcase Achievements of Jamaican Music
KINGSTON(JIS): Thursday, June 19, 2008

The Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, is spearheading the drive to set up a reggae museum to showcase the challenges and achievements of Jamaican music.

Unequal Tariff structure fuelling Jamaicas' Port corruption problems

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM By Julian Richardson Business Observer Reporter jrichardsonj@jamaicaobserver.com

Commissioner of Customs,Danville Walker, has confirmed that under-invoicing is ravaging some of the most prominent local businesses.

Items targeted by criminals range from poultry and tyres to appliances and clothing, which are smuggled into the country illegally to gain a competitive advantage over tax-compliant businesses.

Port… items targeted by criminals range from poultry and tyres to appliances and clothing, which are smuggled into the country illegally to gain a compe titive advantage over tax-compliant businesses.

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Zimbabwe inflation at 2,200,000%

New bank notes have been issued to cope with soaring prices


Zimbabwe’s annual rate of inflation has surged to 2,200,000%, official figures have shown.

The figure is the first official assessment of prices in the troubled African nation since February, when the rate of inflation stood at 165,000%.

Zimbabwe, once one of the richest countries in Africa, has descended into economic chaos largely blamed on the policies of President Robert Mugabe.

Mr Mugabe was re-elected last month in a controversial one-man race.

Nigeria - This Week in Focus

Thousands flee Nigerian militants

The militant group responsible for the threat has not been identified

Thousands of Nigerians have fled the Niger Delta oil town of Bonny after militants threatened to behead people who are not originally from the area.

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40 die after deliverance prayer

From Biola Azeez and Johnson Babajide - 16.07.2008

MORE than 40 members of the Deeper Life Church in and around Umuolighe in Alaoma community near Omoba in Isialangwa South Local Government Area of Abia State died mysteriously at the weekend shortly after a family deliverance prayer session.

Nuff US Political Stank This Week

Norml Asks - Are Lab Rats Smarter Than US Politicians ?

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

Are Lab Rats Smarter Than US Politicians?
Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:26:12 By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director

So if rats can deduce that whole cannabis works better as a medicine than a single synthesized molecule, what’s stopping our federal Government and bureaucrats from reaching this same conclusion? Antihyperalgesic effect of a Cannabis sativa extract in a rat model of neuropathic pain: mechanisms involved via PubMed; This study aimed to give a rationale for the employment of phytocannabinoid formulations to treat neuropathic pain. It was found that a controlled cannabis extract, containing multiple cannabinoids, in a defined ratio, and other non-cannabinoid fractions (terpenes and flavonoids) provided better antinociceptive efficacy than the single cannabinoid given alone, when tested in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

On a separate but related note, am I the only one offended that most scientists appear to be more inclined to document pot’s healing powers in rats and mice than in, say, human beings?

Of course, if you want to enroll in clinical trials intent on documenting so-called “marijuana abuse,” you can take your pick of The So Called Abuse Trials Here.

Austria Allows Cannabis For Medical Purposes
Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:08:18 By: Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director

It is becoming increasingly more difficult for America’s Office Of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to continue to claim that cannabis is not a valuable and acceptable medicine. Late Wednesday night Austria’s parliament placed the country in line with a number of other countries (i.e., Canada) and12 American states that allow seriously-ill, dying or sense-threatened medical patients who possess a physician’s recommendation to legally possess and use cannabis medicinally. Alaska| California | Colorado | Hawaii | Maine |Maryland | Montana | Nevada | New Mexico | Oregon | Rhode Island | Vermont | Washington

VIENNA (AFP) - Austria’s parliament has adopted a new bill allowing the cultivation of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes, under the Health Ministry’s control.The bill, approved by parliament during a late-night session Wednesday, will give the health and food safety agency AGES the exclusive right in Austria to grow the plant, which is otherwise categorised as a drug.

Michael Bach, president of the Austrian pain studies association OeSG, welcomed the new legislation, saying: “Any initiative that makes it possible to develop and provide new drugs for pain therapy is welcome.”

“Substances drawn from cannabis have been used for medical purposes more and more in the last few years,” he added.

Possession of or dealing in cannabis incurs a 6-month prison sentence in Austria.

Rastafarian Sacrament receives a blessing from rome


Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 URL: Italian Court Frees Weed July 12, 2008

a new ruling by the Supreme Court of Cassation has sided with the Rastafarian religion’s treatment of marijuana as a sacred sacrament.

The news from Rome hit the streets Friday morning, as a case brought before appeal judges against a reggae musician sentenced to 16 months in prison by a lower court in Perugia, was overturned.

Virtually unheard of in Roman Catholic Italy, Rastafarians were presented to the court as a faith that allows its members to smoke even 10 grams of marijuana daily.

HEALTH BLOG: Is pot really more potent these days?

Smoking pot in Italy is not a crime, but being caught with amounts considered too large for personal use can bring charges of trafficking.

Probe Is Urged of Rangel’s Fundraising for N.Y. Center - washingtonpost.com


By Christopher Lee - Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 16, 2008; A02 The House Republican leader and a government watchdog group separately called yesterday for the House ethics committee to look into Rep. Charles B. Rangel's fundraising efforts on behalf of an academic center that bears his name.

The panel should examine whether the House Ways and Means Committee chairman broke ethics rules by using House stationery to solicit corporate donations for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York, said Kevin Smith, a spokesman for House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), and Melanie Sloan, executive director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Rangel (D-N.Y.), 78, drew criticism last year for obtaining a $1.9 million earmark to help start the center. He has met with potential donors such as Donald Trump and officials of insurance giant American International Group in an effort to help the college reach its $30 million goal. The center promotes diversity in public administration and will house Rangel’s official papers when he retires.

“This is yet another example of the hypocrisy of House Democrats who famously promised to ‘drain the swamp’ in Washington,” Smith said. “Using taxpayer resources to solicit donations for a ‘monument to me’ earmark fiasco raises serious questions, and the ethics committee has a responsibility to examine this issue.”

Sloan, a former federal prosecutor and Democratic House committee staffer, said there is no question that Rangel crossed an ethical line.

“It’s not a close call,” she said. “He’s clearly violated the rule against using the letterhead.”

Sloan pointed to a House ethics provision that allows members to solicit money for certain kinds of nonprofit groups but bars the use of office equipment and supplies. It specifically bans the implied official endorsement that accompanies use of congressional stationery.

“No official resources may be used,” the rule reads, in part.

Rangel, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, last week defended his fundraising efforts. “If it was an ethical problem, I wouldn’t do it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rangel is facing a political controversy back home. The New York Times reported Friday that the 38-year veteran of Congress pays below-market rents on four apartments in the Harlem building in which he lives, sparking criticism in a city where affordable housing is in short supply.

Rangel, who defended the arrangement as legal and fair last week, said Monday that he would give up one of the apartments, which he uses as a campaign office.

Obama and The New Yorker; Shared Enemies

[podcast]http://bagals-radio.com/071708-thurs.mp3[/podcast]