The News & Views Divas gathered a few weeks ago at TJ’s request. 

A lot of stuff has been going on in the news, I hope we can discuss some. I should be available after around 9am PDT (12pm EDT).

1. Al Sharpton and his activities in Florida. His action network really appears to be about something, but I don’t know how far it’s going to get in light of this. And what agency do we call to get a new spokesperson for black folk? LOL.

his primary lawsuit threats (I agree with this)

now this stuff right here, not.so.much

2. Michigan and Florida (again, I know)

3. David A. Paterson (the silver lining in the whole Spitzer situation dark cloud – as a matter of fact, what yall think about the whole Spitzer situation?)

TJ:  So what yall think about Al Sharpton these days?

Melette: I think that Rev. Al is doing a good thing with the lawsuit for Florida and Michigan.  Because they broke the rules and thus should pay the penalty for that.

Original Diva: ok wait….maybe I misread that article…ok….just read it again.  I honestly don’t think a lawsuit is needed. I think Howard Dean isn’t one of those “bow to pressure” guys and could give a damn about bad press. They made a decision and they’re gonna stick with it.

TJ: Maybe Florida needs to go on voter probation till they get their ish together.

Original Diva: People living in Florida need to take responsibility and accountability for their state and politics and stop letting shit happen

Melette: This article about the Dunbar boys is some isht.

TJ: IT is. Frankly I think folks need to be protesting the lack of affordable housing in Palm Beach…maybe lack of jobs?

TJ: Cause WHY would there be a waiting list 700 strong for that dump. I think Rev. Al may be a little misguided in that Dunbar case.

Melette: He is very midguided.

Original Diva: I can understand the point though…..equality for all…..PERIOD. If we’re going to have equality for our people then we have to have it no matter what.

TJ: I understand equality for all, BUT

Melette: Those cases are totally different.

Original Diva: Whether they’re wrong or not

TJ: Can we make a better choice of who we stand up for.
 
Original Diva: NO.

Melette: EXACTLY TJ.

Original Diva: Either you stand up for black folks completely or not.

Melette: You rape somebody because she complained about people littering?
 
TJ: That’s bull. Nobody stood up for the victim of this rape.
 
Melette: Are you serious?

Original Diva: Picking and choosing doesn’t help you when it’s time to protest a good cause. Has the criminal system done something wrong to the victim? Has she been poorly treated in any way by the legal system?  It’s an issue of BIG PICTURE
 
TJ: Ok, I’m like this. Can we also send out the message that when you do ill stuff you get in trouble. Cause we quick to jump to the defense of short sighted strippers, thugs who jump on one person, AND folk who gang rape a woman and force her to molest her son at gunpoint…AND TAKE PHOTOS

Original Diva: He’s not saying that they shouldn’t get in trouble or that they should be allowed bail…..but that they should be allowed the hearing….just like anybody else. That would be like saying “all the black kids with two working parents can get bussed to a better school but the other ones can’t.” His purpose in this one is all about equality.

TJ: No it isnt
 
Original Diva: He’s not saying that they aren’t wrong and shouldn’t be punished. But that they should have the same legal rights as white folks and they should.

TJ: Of all the people whose rights are being violated in this country….

Melette: Okay, I missed something…so they didn’t get a bail hearing?

Original Diva: No they didn’t

TJ: I’m just not buying the argument that these dudes are the folks to PUBLICLY make a stand on. Rev. Al didn’t speak on the brutality of the rape. I think its a little unfair. I mean, why not stand up for Dunbarton village residents rights to not get attacked
 
Original Diva: If he isn’t willing to fight for everyone then that makes takes away from the times that he does fight. “Oh he just comes out when the cameras are there”  Everybody deserves justice just the same……..and if they’ll deny them then they’ll deny you and me just the same.

TJ: He could protest and write letters and stuff for that case, but to publicly speak on it and not speak to the victims is not fair.

Original Diva: Then your issue is with the type of protesting he is doing. He is fighting the same fight that he did by going down to Jena.

TJ: I know how the justice system is supposed to work but I don’t feel for these boys one bit and making a public display of this crap is what will turn folks on his cause. I am writing a letter to the NAACP because they REFUSED to issue a statement when the rape occured YET they issued one on these boys not getting a bail hearing? If it alienates most women from the cause and BLACK WOMEN run this joint? Not a good idea.

Original Diva: The issue at hand is injustice and inequality in the legal system……the rape was brutal and criminal…YES….but the victim was not treated unfairly by anyone except those jackasses in jail. So what do you want the NAACP to say? “it was wrong and we agree it was wrong”
  ???

TJ: YES…Something

Original Diva: And what good does that do? What’s the point?

TJ: How you REFUSE to speak on it until the MEN face a problem?

Original Diva: You’re talking about two completely different things TJ

TJ: Where were the protests of the housing conditions, the lack of adequate security, the job situation that makes Dunbarton Village have almost a thousand folk on the waiting list…dump that it is. NAACP deals with those things too. BUT they chose not to and now…

Original Diva: Being a victim of a crime is not the same as not receiving fair justice. And if the NAACP starts addressing the issue of poverty sticken neighborhoods with poor security then they’ll have to take that bandwagon all across the country. There is a Dunbar in every city

TJ: Well there is an NAACP in most cities too.

Original Diva: Okay…I can see you having an issue with the lack of effectiveness in the NAACP and how they are addressing those issues….BUT you can’t say that they chose to speak for the criminals and not the victim. Speaking out against that community wouldn’t do the victim any good at this point. How bout offering HER specifically some help. I know she must need some.

TJ: I’m saying anything.  ANYTHING…offer her some help, start a panel to look into housing in West Palm Beach

Original Diva: If the stripper can get a scholarship then the rape victim should get a job offer or something. See I have an issue with that though TJ.

TJ: But can folk LOOK like they care about more than the victims and the bond hearing

Original Diva: Why West Palm Beach and not North Tulsa too?

TJ: Well fine North Tulsa…and everywhere else

Original Diva: Why West Palm Beach and not East St. Louis too?  Why West Palm Beach and not South Dallas too?

TJ: But I’m saying to handle one and refuse to deal with the other is not right.  It’s not.

Original Diva: I hear what you’re saying…I just disagree

TJ: Ok…David Paterson
 
Original Diva: Did you kick Melette out too? (When TJ runs the News & Views, she kicks people out of the chat……just mean for no reason)
 
Melette:  I’m here. I guess I’m a fence rider because I kinda agree with both of you.
 
Original Diva:  Okay…I didn’t really do my research on David Paterson…So I’mma ask…..is he QUALIFIED to be the governor?  Before I get excited….

TJ: He was Lieutenant Governor and Assemblyman…He aint just show up on the front porch yesterday. On one hand I’m glad that he is the 4th black governor and the first blind one…BUT, I’m kind of sad that this is how he came to power.

Original Diva: How successful has he been as Lt. Governor?
 
TJ: From his bio:

As New York State Senate minority leader, David Paterson led the charge on several crucial issues for New York’s future, proposing legislation for a $1 billion voter-approved stem cell research initiative, demanding a statewide alternative energy strategy, insisting on strong action to fight against domestic violence, and serving as the primary champion for minority- and women-owned businesses in New York. As a result, Governor Spitzer asked Mr. Paterson to continue to lead New York State on these issues as lieutenant governor.

Original Diva: There’s an article on the NY TImes front page about him and the state budget

TJ: And his wife look like we aint NEVA gonna see him apologizing for some Spitzer type ish…or no texts on city equipment.
 
Original Diva: What do you think of the whole Spitzer thing? Some people say that “what happens between consenting adults is their business.”

TJ: I don’t know, but unless you out in Nevada somewhere at the pony ranch, it IS against the law.

Original Diva: I’mma be quiet….cause I have issues with prostitution being illegal anyway.

TJ: But even if you have issues with it, isn’t it a better to move to have it legalized rather than get caught up in it while it is a crime?  So what issues do you have with prostitution being illegal?

Original Diva: Why is consensual sex illegal just cause it involves money?  Immoral maybe…but illegal?
 
TJ: Because people get exploited, maybe?

Original Diva: Then legalize it and control it…TAX IT
 
TJ: So you think that dude shouldnt be in trouble because in a perfect world, prostitution would be like chuck e cheese for grownups?

Original Diva: No….I’m saying my views on prostitution are biased and that him having an affair on his wife isn’t any of my business.

TJ: But if he launders money to buy her gifts?
 
Original Diva: Okay…money laundering is a crime. I can get with that argument.

TJ: He laundered money to pay for his company.

Original Diva: Criminal act??? OK….let him go. Kwame and using city funds to go on trips???? Let him go.

TJ: The prostitution just made the biggest splash in the headlines.
 
Melette: Right. He shouldn’t have done it.  It’s illegal in his state, so he has to resign or be impeached. If he was the govenor of Nevada then it would be a different story. The law is the law. And if you buying vagina in NY and get caught then guess what? You shouldn’t be Govenor.

THE END~