"By Any Means Necessary" -Malcolm X

Today would be the 90th birthday of the great American progressive Malcolm X.

A few weeks before his death Malcolm appeared on Canadian television to discuss his proposed solution for human beings who are offered no protection by their government.

  

*Clip from the CBC (1965)

Martin Luther King Gets Angry About Media Hypocrisy

"The time has come for America to hear the truth about this tragic war." 

- Martin Luther King Jr.

One year before his death Martin Luther King Jr. began speaking out against the U.S. attack on Vietnam.  Not only did he defend the rights of brown people in Southeast Asia but he also grasped the economic devastation that militarism brings to residents of both sides of the war.  

"And you may not know it, my friends, but it is estimated that we spend $500,000 to kill each enemy soldier, while we spend only fifty-three dollars for each person classified as poor, and much of that fifty-three dollars goes for salaries to people that are not poor.  

 So I was increasingly compelled to see the war as an enemy of the poor, and attack it as such." 

In addition to his grievances with racism, militarism and economic exploitation King also criticizes the press.

Humpday Humor: Ask For a Receipt

The late, great Patrice O'Neal always asked for a receipt.

Standing Up For Your Rights Is A Gift

Last week someone made a call complaining that two people were engaging in "lewd acts".  An employee of the Los Angeles Police Department showed up to the scene.  After questioning the female suspect the employee responded by handcuffing her.

Danielle Watts ended up in handcuffs because she refused to show her papers.    

Danielle Watts in handcuffs 

This week Watts was interviewed on CNN.  Here is a clip of the exchange...

Anchorwoman: 

Why wouldn't you just give them your ID?

Danielle Watts: 

"Because I believe in America and what it stands for.  I believe in freedom.  A country that calls itself the land of the free and home of the brave.  If I'm within my constitutional rights to say 'NO unless you are charging me with a crime, I will not be giving you my ID', that is a right that I stand up for".

Watts goes on to add that standing up for her rights "was a gift and a blessing".

Story from CNN

Humpday Humor: Stand Your Ground

Comedian Jeff Garlin talks about the stand your ground law in Florida.