War Cam Eagle!

Who would have thought Auburn University would be undefeated, headed to the National Championship and a Heisman Trophy winner by the name of Cam Newton. These were the first words out of Cam Newtons mouth, after he composed himself:

"I want to give all honor and glory to God who is first in my life." He then went on to thank his mother and his father, his coaches and his team mates.

Cam Newton won by a landslide! I've got to go and compose myself. More later.

How do you like Scam Newton now?

For all the tasteless, immature,tacky,degenerate haters who chose to impugn the character of Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton, a talented young man, who only wants to play football, and whose only crime is he plays for Auburn this blog is for Y-O-U!

"Cam Newton is part of the sweatshop known as collegiate athletics.

I woke up this morning to hear two male Talking TeeVee Chuckle Heads, one white, one black, cackling that Cam Newton's father Cecil Newton cannot attend the important day in his son's life (Heisman Trophy announcement) because of his alleged/accused involvement in a pay for play scandal. I couldn't tell if they were bragging or complaining, but I'm pretty sure they were bragging Cecil Newton is going to be an absentee father. After all that fits the media-driven stereotype of black men. It's no way Cecil Newton is a caring, involved, loving parent who takes care of and protects his wife and children. Nope, he's out to sell them to the highest bidder because that's just what "they" do.

What I would like to know is what happened to innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and not in the court of public opinion? What if Cecil Newton did nothing wrong? What if the allegations are proven to be false? What if it's all a big, fat lie? Why are African American student-athletes held at a different standard from their white counterparts? You never hear of a pay to play for white student-athletes.

Dr. Boyce Watkins says NCAA Athletics is Racial Segregation at it's finest.

If you were to go to most college campuses around the country and ask them to make an investment in students or faculty, their excuses would start with the economy. They would drone on and on about how little wiggle room they have to make financial investments, primarily because the economic downturn has strained their finances beyond measure.

If you are one of the thousands of black families sending your son or daughter to the NCAA to build their multi-billion dollar coffers, they would tell you that paying the athletes or their families is simply impossible. They would convince you that in spite of the fact that the athletes and their families are the most important part of their revenue-generating process, universities simply cannot afford to share their money. Even if you are homeless and your child can’t buy groceries, you must stand to the side as others earn millions from your child’s athletic labor

Read the rest if you dare. Then tell me why Cecil Newton shouldn't attend the Heisman Trophy announcement because it woujld be a distraction. *snark*

Edited~ Senator Bernie Sanders for President of the United States

Regular readers know EYE am undecided between Hillary and Bernie, largely due to the behavior of some (not to be confused with all) Sanders supporters.  EYE must admit, after reading and editing this blast from the past re-post EYE am leaning towards Bernie Sanders.~ RedEye

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders during his filibuster speech, on 10 December 2010, against the proposed extension of Bush-era tax cuts and other measures agreed by President Obama with congressional Republicans. Photograph: Guardian screeengrab from C-Span coverage

After watching Senator Bernie Sanders courageous filibuster of the Obama compromise , I am convinced he should be our next President because he is truly a man of the people. He is not a republican, nor is he a democrat. He is my kind of people, a proud, card carrying Independent.

After listening to Sanders,  anyone who votes for the Obama compromise (yes, I'm calling it the Obama compromise, because that's what the republicans are going to call it when things go south) will show their true colors, because as Sanders said over and over today "the little guy and gals are getting screwed while the rich get richer".

Of course the Lame Stream Media is marginalizing and minimizing Sanders, calling what he did today a "rant", quoting a Gallup poll claiming a vast majority of the American people are in favor of extending the Bush tax cuts, and that's who the White House is listening to, because this will help Obama be re-elected by wooing independents (who ever they are) blah, blah, blab, blab.

The other media enabled weapon of mass distraction is former President Clinton being summoned to the White House to help an embattled President Obama sell a controversial tax deal to members of his own party.  It's like 1992 all over again, Obama is moving to the center like Clinton, blah blah blab blab.

One thing I will say about Bill Clinton, he didn't capitulate, and he certainly didn't throw his base under the bus. When the repubs said they were going to shut down the government,  he said go ahead. And we see how that worked out.

Bill Clinton also created 22 million new jobs, and made the rich pay their fair share of taxes. Bill Clinton also didn't have to fight against his own damn party.

In 2008 the pundit heads predicted the end of the republican party, but here they are two years later, bigger and badder than ever. I wonder how that happened? Yes, that was a snark.

If you have some free time this weekend, watch/ read or listen to Bernie Sanders in action, then tell me what you think about the Obama Compromise. The devil is in the details, and Sanders lays out the details loud and clear.

Redeye's Week in Review

Congress failed to repeal DADT this week, but the ACLU will keep on fighting.

Congress' failure to repeal the shameful "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is a devastating loss to the gay and lesbian service members who put their lives on the line for this country every day — and for Americans everywhere who believe in fairness and equality.

Rest assured that the ACLU will not give up on this fight. We are 100 percent committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and will do everything we can to bring about its demise.

Not only did the democrats magically grow a pair this week they are standing with *gasp* the Congressional Black Caucus! When you think about it, African Americans will suffer the most if unemployment insurance is not extended since unemployment among African Americans is at an all time high.

Unemployment for African Americans is projected to reach a 25-year high this year, according to a study released Thursday by an economic think tank, with the national rate soaring to 17.2 percent and the rates in five states exceeding 20 percent.

Blacks as well as Latinos were far behind whites in employment levels even when the economy was booming. But throughout the recession, the unemployment rate has grown much faster for African Americans and Latinos than for whites, according to the study by the Economic Policy Institute. Moreover, the unemployment gap between men and women has reached a record high -- with men far outpacing women in joblessness.

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Reverend Al Sharpton speaks for me!

Over the course of the last several weeks, we have diligently watched as our President, Barack Obama, and the Democratic Party withstood filibustering and stonewalling from the right. Conducting hearings on the weekend, and doing everything they conceivably could to assist the poor and middle-class, their repeated attempts at compromise were met with fierce resistance and an utter disregard for the majority of this nation by the Republicans. And now, after holding the American people hostage as our President so rightfully pointed out, these self-aggrandizing politicians are sitting back and allowing Obama to be the scapegoat for all that ails us. It’s time we call them out.

Speaking of calling them out, they are who we thought they were.

Today, a right-wing organization called Judicial Watch hosted a panel discussion on the “current and upcoming fights over immigration enforcement” featuring Arizona state Sen. Russell Pearce (R). Pearce, the author of Arizona’s controversial immigration law, railed against the Obama administration for “siding with a foreign government” against the state of Arizona. However, looking on the bright side, Pearce joked that Obama may not want to come to Arizona as they will require him to show his papers:

Terri Sewell isn't the only newly elected Congress Critter hiring help this week.

Perhaps to the surprise of many Tea Party populists who helped elect them, the Washington Post reports, “Many incoming GOP lawmakers have hired registered lobbyists as senior aides. Several of the candidates won with strong support from the anti-establishment tea party movement.” These lobbyists are not public servants. They are experts at carving out special deals and tax giveaways to powerful corporations

What's that you say? Soon to be former Gooberner Rob Riley is using his so called ethics reform package for political payback against the evil, awful Alabama Education Association and to silence them there uppity teachers? I'm shocked! Shocked I tell you! NOT.

Despite the fact the NCAA and Auburn found Cam Newton's father Cecil Newton guilty of being a modern day slave trader selling his son to the highest bidder, banning him from attending games and awards ceremony's Cam Newton shows why he is a true winner and stands by his father. If there is any lesson for talented African American athletes maybe they shouldn't play for predominately white Universities and take their talents to a Historically Black Colleges and Universities where they don't have deep pocket athletic boosters. The same thing happened in the movie Blindside, talented black player must have been offered pay for play .

"I'm not sitting up here saying that we all are prefect. Everybody's made mistakes. I'm not sitting up here saying what he did or what he did was wrong. Who am I up here to say that what he did is true or not. But I know that if I can call Cecil Newton right now, he'll pick up the phone."

This week ends with me being talked down from my previous rage over the Obama compromise. I accept the fact he acted in the best interest of the American People, I don't accept the fact that it had to be this way. I still maintain he should have listened to his base instead of suppressing the base. I hope and pray now that the big republican fat cats have received their big tax cut they are going to start creating jobs in America and the banks are going to start loaning money again. I also hope that if they don't, the gop doesn't try to blame it on Obama.

The highlight of my week and the best Christmas present ever was the high honor and privilege of being named Blog I'm Feeling by the Field Negro. Welcome to my world and please don't just lurk, join the conversation!

My Big RedEye on Terri Sewell

Representative elect Sewell, my big REDEYE will be trained on you like a laser beam. Remember it's not about YOU, it's about the voters of the 7th district. I HOPE and PRAY you prove me wrong, not for MY sake, but for the sake of the the 7th district.

h/t gradyw

Alabama now has one Democratic member of Congress who's top paid adviser has no strong ties to the 7th Congressional District. Prior to her employment with Congresswoman Sutton she worked for the Homeland Security Committee.

That's right (pun intended) Terri Sewells top advisor has no strong ties to the 7th Congressional District, but as gradyw points out, she has strong ties to Emily's List. It also may explain why Emiliy's list wanted to buy an Alabama Congressional Seat so badly.

Who is Women Vote?
An organization by the name of Women Vote has been created to help funnel money into the Terri Sewell campaign. Today, they just made an independent expenditure for $8500
So who is Women Vote? Not an Alabama organization, but an organization with an address listed at

1120 Connecticut Ave NW
Ste 1100
Washington, DC 20036
The same address as Emily's List.

So our impression is that Emily's List changed the name on this PAC so that it did not look like it was dumping more money in this race.

Why is a pro-choice group expending so much of its resources into one race where you end up with the first African-American Congresswoman from Alabama? We are still trying to figure that one out, let us know if you have any ideas.

mooncat notes Reynolds other connections:

Reynolds was most recently chief of staff for Betty Sutton (D, OH-13), a Congresswoman with a pretty progressive record. Sutton came out against the catfood committee, is a member of the Populist Caucus, not the Blue Dogs and originated the Cash for Clunkers program. Given that as Ms. Reynolds' most recent assignment, I'm willing to overlook the fact that she was also a District Director (a position that definitely does not set policy) for former Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. of Tennessee.

I guess it depends on what the definition of a pretty progressive record and populist caucus IS. Her former employer didn't score too well on the political courage test.

Representative Betty Sutton refused to tell citizens where he/she stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2010 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

Per the course, the usual suspects defend the indefensible and bash, ban and smear those who don't share their point of view. But this one had me ROTLMAO;

Maybe . . . (4.00 / 1)
The uncertainty of the economy is a factor.

I have "no dog in this fight" at all but did live in the DC area for 16 years. Housing costs are high and taxes are high. One can do much better financially by staying in Alabama.

Ms. Reynolds probably already is living in the DC area and was available. She has experience with Congressional matters. Ms. Sewell being in a minority situation in more ways than one, she probably saw the need for someone with Washington experience.

But THIS is the most telling comment of all, emphasis mine;
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE!!! (4.00 / 1)

THERE IS ALWAYS A REASON FOR CHOICES THAT ARE MADE. I'M SURE MRS. REYNOLDS WAS CHOSEN FOR MANY GREAT REASONS. IF INDIVIDUALS WOULD SIT BACK SOME TIME AND LOOK AT THE WAY THINGS ARE HERE IN ALABAMA, IT SHOULD BE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR THAT MRS. SEWELL DECIDED TO BRING IN SOMEONE THAT WILL FOR SURE BRING FRESH IDEALS AND NOT DO THINGS IN THE PAST TENSE. ONE MUST UNDERSTAND JUST BECAUSE YOU MAY BE FROM THIS DISTRICT AND ETC. IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE GOOD FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE DISTRICT. WE ALL SHOULD WANT TO BRIGHTEN OUR HORIZON TO BETTER OURSELVES. THIS MEANS ACCEPT CHALLENGES LIKE MRS. REYNOLDS HAS BY ACCEPTING THE OPPORTUNITY MRS. SEWELL HAS PRESENTED HER. MRS. REYNOLDS HAS ACHIEVED ON EVERY LEVEL NO MATTER WHERE SHE HAS BEEN. THE STATE DON'T NEED A PERSON IN THIS POSITION THAT JUST KNOW A AREA, WE NEED A PERSON LIKE MRS. REYNOLDS THAT KNOWS AREAS. MRS. SEWELL SHOULD BE PRAISED FOR MOVING AWAY FROM WHAT HAS BEEN.

Uh, it's Miss Sewell not Mrs. Sewell and she's not moving away from what has been, she's moving back to what WAS. And NO mooncat, we certainly aren't wishing Artur Davis had held on to his seat. The residents of the 7th district have been there and done that. It's not about me, it's about the people of the 7th district, remember?

"I just want to say I know who I am and whose I am. And if you send me to Congress, I will take those same values of faith, personal responsibility, hard work to Washington and roll up my sleeves and work on behalf of you each and every day. It's about remembering who elected you. It's about remembering why you're there: to represent the people....

If you honor me with your vote, I will serve you with honor. ... You won't be embarrassed by anything I say or do."

Again, talk is cheap. I hope you live up to the words and legacy of my Sorority Sister and not the legacy of your predecessor who voted against health care reform, the hate crimes bill, resigned from the house judiciary committee to run for Governor and was an apologist for some racist actions. Shirley Chisholm was a true, proud LIBERAL who spoke truth to power, unbossed and unafraid.

As a freshman, Chisholm was assigned to the House Agricultural Committee. Given her urban district, she felt the placement was irrelevant to her constituents[2] and shocked many by asking for reassignment. She was then placed on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.[2] Soon after, she voted for Hale Boggs as House Majority Leader over John Conyers. As a reward for her support, Boggs assigned her to the much-prized Education and Labor Committee,[7] which was her preferred committee.[2] She was the third highest-ranking member of this committee when she retired from Congress.
All those Chisholm hired for her office were women, half of them black. Chisholm said that during her New York legislative career, she had faced much more discrimination because she was a woman than because she was black.

This appointment is not living up to your promise and I HOPE and PRAY it's not a sign of things to come...not for my sake, but for the residents of the 7th district.