(Akiit.com) E-mails touting the much-publicized CNN documentary Black In America have so completely ambushed my computer over the last few weeks that I was forced to upgrade my antivirus software. Black In America, hosted by award winning CNN anchor/ reporter Soledad O’Brien and scheduled for airing on July 23 and 24, purports to examine the complex issues, successes, struggles, pain, and pride that black men, women and their families experience- 40 years after the death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

One e-mailer wrote, “I had the privilege of meeting with Soledad O’Brien and actually seeing this premier and what I saw brought tears to my eyes and anguish, frustration, and a sense of helplessness to my soul. I beg and plead with you to please watch this with your children, especially your sons.”

This, plus the persuasive pleas contained in the many other emails, ignited an overwhelming sense of black euphoria in me and a sacred obligation to support CNN (and its advertisers). That feeling was so strong that I immediately preprogrammed my TIVO for the scheduled dates.

One quote in the CNN promo material attributed to O’Brien caught my eye: “As we developed this series, it was critical to go beyond what viewers believe and already know to introduce them to the real people behind the headlines that we report every day on our assignments.” Very impressive.

One wonders, though, why this production has been selected for airing at this critical time in the presidential campaign. It has been in the making for months before the Obama candidacy was announced. Will the host of issues that confront Black America be less relevant or urgent on Nov. 5 than they are on July 23 and 24? I think not.

I began to ask myself is there anything substantially new to be learned about being black in America that hasn’t already been sliced, diced and dissected over the years by think tanks, civil rights organizations, activist groups, news organizations, historians and PBS? As I began to review that question for myself the elation of what Black In America could bring to my knowledge base at this precise moment in time began to diminish. In fact, a few negative connotations associated with the timing of the documentary began to appear.
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(Akiit.com) WASHINGTON (AP) — Sixty years after President Truman desegregated the military, senior black officers are still rare, particularly among the highest ranks.

Blacks make up about 17 percent of the total force, yet just 9 percent of all officers. That fraction falls to less than 6 percent for general officers with one to four stars, according to data obtained and analyzed by The Associated Press.

The rarity of blacks in the top ranks is apparent in one startling statistic: Only one of the 38 four-star generals or admirals serving as of May was black. And just 10 black men have ever gained four-star rank — five in the Army, four in the Air Force and one in the Navy, according to the Pentagon.

The dearth of blacks in high-ranking positions gives younger African-American soldiers few mentors of their own race. And as the overall percentage of blacks in the service falls, particularly in combat careers that lead to top posts, the situation seems unlikely to change.

Still, officials this week can point to some historic gains by blacks in the services as the Pentagon commemorates Truman’s signing of an executive order on July 26, 1948, mandating the end of segregation in the military.

Best known among the four-stars is retired Gen. Colin Powell, who later became the country’s first black secretary of state, under President Bush. Another is retired Gen. Johnnie E. Wilson, who in 1961, at age 17, spied an “Uncle Sam Wants You” poster and joined the Army.

The second of 12 children, Wilson grew up in a housing project outside Cleveland. Enlisting in the Army, he said, was the only way he’d get a college education.

As a young recruit, he found that the older, black noncommissioned officers were eager to guide him, and they urged him to try for Officer Candidate School. Over the next 38 years, he rose through the ranks to become a four-star general.

Why haven’t more done the same?

For one thing, Wilson said, “it’s hard to tell young people the sky’s the limit when they look up and don’t see anyone” who looks like them.

According to Pentagon data, as of May:

_ 5.6 percent of the 923 general officers or admirals were black.

_ Eight blacks were three-star lieutenant generals or vice admirals.

_ Seventeen were two-star major generals or rear admirals.

_ Twenty-six were one-star brigadier generals or rear admirals.

_ Three of the black one-stars were women.

The Army has led the way with black officers, with nearly double the percentage at times over the past three decades as the other services. Blacks represented 11 percent to 12 percent of all Army officers during that time, compared with 4 percent to 8 percent in the Navy, Air Force and Marines.

The reasons for the lack of blacks in the higher ranks are many and complex, ranging from simple career choices to Congress and family recommendations. Most often mentioned is that black recruits are showing less interest in pursuing combat jobs, which are more likely to propel them through the officer ranks.
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(Akiit.com) As I stood in the doorway, I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful my wife is… Yes after all these years the sparkle in her eyes catches my attention… Still can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be her husband, as I courted this woman for many years… Now it’s the 2 of us along with a full house of kids… Yes a cat also… Was online earlier today, and picked up a Pashmina shawl which shall go lovely over a dress…

Written By CTA

(Akiit.com) Sun shining as I for one have been enjoying the summer… Nice to chill outside while letting the wind blow upon my body… Nature at it’s best, as my kids play around… I see the youngest one is growing up, as I can remember at her age going to the local store with dad to look at some swing sets for my little sister… Oh how so long ago that was… Well the yard needs to be tended to, so I shall log off now…

Written By CTA

(Akiit.com) In America, propaganda and media mythology allow people to believe things that make absolutely no sense. If one person says something, the media delivers it and enough people repeat it, the thing being said starts to sound good to stupid people hearing it or saying it.

In fact, some stupid people embrace the propaganda and get overly emotional and righteously indignant about things that they believe, but do not understand. These are people without a real perspective of their own, save what they think they see in their daily lives.

Sadly, many Americans are just stupid people. So stupid that they believe in things and do things that defy logic and reason.

In another Top Ten list, here are my Top Ten Groups of Stupid People.

1. Americans who hate people from the Middle East, instead of Bush, his friends and other Americans who support making war on oil-rich nations.

Bashing people who are of Middle Eastern descent, including hatred and actual violence will not bring the troops home and will not bring an end to a war that should have never occurred.

Honestly, many of the people who are being bombed and shot at are average citizens of sovereign nations and some of the attacks on American troops are no different than if another nation occupied America with military presence. They didn’t ask Bush to come and bring troops and the time for pulling out has long past. Let’s put the blame where it belongs—on the goofy administration concerned more with foreign affairs than domestic affairs. If you know of any reason for the troops being there other than oil, please state your case, because Bush doesn’t even bring bin Laden’s name up anymore.

2. Women who are still angry over Hillary Clinton losing the primary election.

Hillary lost the primary election because too many people recognized that she is a disingenuous, mercenary racist who would have done anything to win. It’s time to let go of a dream that was really a nightmare and embrace a dream that is tangible and possible.

3. Blacks who think Barack Obama is above being tainted by politics.

Certainly, Senator Obama has shown himself to be a man of more integrity than the average politician, but since we know that politics is a dirty game, we should not be surprised if he makes friends with some questionable people along the way to the White House. For example, Hillary Clinton just may be his VP running mate…

4. Americans who think that there is something good to come from having US Military presence in the Middle East.

Let’s be honest—most Americans have no idea of the real reason why American troops are stationed in the Middle East, so let’s stop pretending that there is some noble cause involved. There are too many unresolved issues in this nation to be spending billions overseas. Damn, can our children get smaller classrooms, updated textbooks, better teachers (which will come at a higher cost), Physical Education or Band back in the schools?

5. People driving SUVs, even though they have no kids or even spouses, nothing to haul and no friends to ride.

Gas is as high as giraffe booty, yet we still see too many people mashing down the freeway in a mini-tank disguised as a consumer vehicle. And some of these people have the nerve to complain about the cost of gas.
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