Ms. SabuniTransgendered people need more protection, the center-right Liberal People's Party (think classical liberalism) has announced, adding it proposes that Sweden's hate crime law be clarified to ensure that it applies to transgendered identity. The proposal is part of a national action plan to combat hate crimes.

"It is always important that the law be as specific as possible," Nyamko Sabuni, Sweden's Integration and Gender Equality Minister and moderate-conservative member of the Liberal People's Party, said.. "It is also important to note that there is a group in our society who are neither bi- nor homosexual, but have a different gender identity than the one we believe that they have."

She adds, "Hate crimes are a threat to people's natural right to live a dignified life of openness and security. The law on hate crimes needs to clearly include transgendered people, and crimes need to be investigated more effectively. Today, it varies too much between different parts of the country." (article in Swedish).

In addition, Ms. Sabuni proposes allowing assisted reproduction for single women, upholding asylum rights for LGBT people, and to increase the pressure on the European Union to recognize gay and bisexual families (article in Swedish). 

To comment on "Transgendered Folks" post, click here.

You probably heard the news. Bookeristas respond to the federal judge's ruling: 

Mr. Grey Ghost, a conservative Democratic blogger in New York City, writes: "This is a win-lose for both the Obama administration and Gov. Jan Brewer. The judge struck down the most controversial parts of SB1070: illegals having to walk around with their papers and cops being able [to check] people's immigration status. Then too, while the ruling is a temporary injunction, if you read the whole thing Judge Susan Bolton seems to think that the DOJ has made enough of a case that could see the law blocked in its entirety. A key win for Jan Brewer and all other opponents of illegal immigration is that a ban on so-called sanctuary cities stands, as does making it a crime to pick up day laborers who are illegal immigrants. The parts of the law dealing with sanctions for the hiring of illegal immigrants also goes into effect Thursday."

Mr. Ref, a conservative in North Carolina, writes on Twitter: "The judge claims 'it is not in the public interest' for AZ to enforce preemptive laws. What does that have to do with its constitutionality?" He continues: "It's not a judge's job or obligation to gauge what is and isn't in the 'public interest'. That's what our elected representatives are for."

Torrey Spears, a conservative Republican blogger in Florida, writes: "Judge Bolton is suggesting that enforcing the section of the law may be overburden for local and [f]ederal officers - but again, the enforcement of the law is being predisposed before the law has even been implemented. This seems confusing to me, especially given the fact that in SB1070 - the law specifically states that a person must be in violation of a law before they can be sequestered for their papers.  So the implication to me, as I understand it is, if the officer has no reason to believe the person is here illegally, he has no reason to ask for his papers. So again, we're calling into question the ability of our local law enforcement officers to properly do their job."

To comment on "Arizona Illegal Immigration Law" post, click here. 

The conservative Republican pundit, on unemployment benefits: "Supporters of extending the unemployment benefit unconvincingly argue that the extended benefit will stimulate the economy and thereby create jobs. This macroeconomic benefit would be more convincing if unemployment benefits were not a zero-sum transfer of money from the productive sectors of the economy. Realistically, these payments come from taxes on the employed, who must reduce their consumption to pay the taxes; or from investors who finance the increasing federal deficit rather than financing productive companies that create jobs."

He continues his commentary: "The best way to create jobs and reduce unemployment is to create an environment where business has confidence in the future economic outlook. Unfortunately, most of the programs the federal government has tried over the past 18 months have not created business confidence. Job credits that subsidize the hiring of the unemployed who would have been hired anyway do not create confidence. Cash for operable clunkers that are replaced by subsidized cars do not create confidence. Additional unspecified federal regulation of Wall Street may sound good on Main Street, but it does not stimulate bankers to lend to or invest in American businesses. The $867 billion stimulus package allocated more to plugging state government deficits than proving opportunities to private business. Shutting down Gulf Coast offshore drilling for six months may play well with the environmentalists, but it does not help the hundreds of thousands of employees who lose their jobs as a result."

To comment on "Create Jobs With Business Confidence" post, click here.

President Obama will appear tomorrow on "The View", with the appearance creating a debate about presidential image. Of course, bookeristas have something to say about the issue:

Sandra Rose: "Uh Oh. Obama Hits The Campaigh Trail As His Poll Numbers Tank"

The conservative blogger in metro Atlanta, Ga., says it's a desperate move: "Obama is the honorary president of the Boy Scouts of America. But he plans to skip the historic Boy Scout Jamboree marking the Scouts’ 100th anniversary tomorrow in DC. Both of my brothers were proud members of the Boy Scouts — and I’m sure that many of Obama’s supporters are former Boy Scouts too. But narcissists like Obama usually don’t care about such things as honor and integrity or cute photo ops with the scouts. Even so, ‘The View’ guarantees Obama will reach a larger audience than the Boy Scouts Jamboree. And right now, a larger audience is what he needs more than ever."

Torrey Spears: "Theatre Of The Absurd"

The conservative Republican blogger in Florida opines: "And speaking of the worst - did you hear the President of the United States is going on 'The View' this week? The View? What, was Maury Povich not available? Maybe we can have the merits of ObamaCare argued on Judge Judy? I mean, are you kidding me? What's the next step for this President - an MTV crew at the White House to film an episode of 'Cribs'? Look, we're talking about the degradation of the office of the Presidency. We do not need the Commander in Chief and leader of the free world gallivanting around a ladies' daytime talk show."

To comment on "President Obama" post, click here.

Ms. Burt-Murray: "I hired the best person for the job"I can't find a picture of ol' girl to verify that she is bona fide white, but this is a growing controversy. From the New York Post: "Essence, a Time Inc.-owned monthly that is seen as the ultimate fashion and lifestyle title for black women, is wrestling with a controversy sparked by a former fashion editor who criticized the magazine's decision to hire a white woman as its new fashion director. Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray told Media Ink she's aware of the controversy now playing out on Facebook after the magazine named Ellianna Placas, who has worked at O: The Oprah Magazine and US Weekly, as its fashion director but said she's not changing course."

It continues: "Michaela Angela Davis, who was also founding fashion director for Vibe magazine and a onetime editor-in-chief of the printversion [sic] of black fashion magazine Honey, started the cyber controversy yesterday with a Facebook posting that has attracted dozens of comments. 'It's with a heavy heart I've learned that Essence magazine has engaged a white fashion director,' she wrote. 'The fashion industry has historically been so hostile to black people -- especially women. The seat reserved for black women once held by Susan Taylor, Ionia Dunn-Lee, Harriette Cole (+ me) is now -- I can't. It's a dark day for me.'"

Ms. Davis: "A white fashion editor? Shameful!"More about the brouhaha: "The controversy has drawn over 90 comments on Facebook. Some, such as Elicia Johnson, wrote, 'Wow. What a disappointment.' But many of the comments seemed to be in the vein of 'Let's cut a little slack here and see what happens and maybe it will all turn out fine.' 'This is not inherently hurtful in my view at all,' wrote Danya R. Steele. 'Who's to say she won't do a phenomenal job at paying incredible homage to Black female beauty? I wouldn't write this person off based on race alone. I would be curious to hear more about context -- background, past work and upbringing even.'"

The New York Post continues: "Ms. Burt-Murray told Media Ink: 'I understand that this issue has struck an emotional chord with our audience. However, I selected [Placas], who has been contributing to the magazine on a freelance basis for the last six months, because of her creativity, vision, the positive reader response to her work and her enthusiasm and respect for the audience and our brand. We remain committed to celebrating the unique beauty and style of African-American women in Essence magazine and online at Essence.com.'"

Discuss "Some See Red As Essence Hires White Fashion Editor" post here.  

The City of New York has agreed to pay more than $7 million to settle a federal lawsuit stemming from the death of Sean Bell, who was shot 50 times by police in 2006 on what would have been his wedding day. The money will be split between Bell’s family and two friends of Bell who were also shot by the police. The conservative Republican blogger in New York City opines: "Sean Bell got shot trying to protect a frail old woman from being mugged on the subway. Wait a minute, that’s not what happened. Okay, how about this? Sean Bell got gunned down trying to save a blind little boy from being kidnapped by a notorious and vile pedophile. No wait, that didn’t happen either. How about this? Sean Bell got slain for trying to protect a stranger from being set on fire by a disreputable street gang."

He continues his commentary: "By now you probably already know that neither of these things actually happened. However, each one of those scenarios would have been well deserving of receiving the high honor of having a street renamed in your memory for performing an unselfish and heroic act to safeguard his fellow man. There is no greater love than giving one’s life for someone else, right? Nevertheless, the New York City Council voted on a resolution to have a small stretch of a Queens street renamed after Sean Bell for attempting to run over New York City cops with his car while driving drunk. Of course, the picture the Left paints of Sean Bell is quite different. To them, he was an innocent Black man that was tragically assassinated in a hail of 50 bullets by racist NYPD police in the early morning hours of his wedding day. That’s all the Left needed to perpetuate another fraud in their long line of frauds upon the public and imbued a common street thug into an angel of light."

More: "The fact that Bell was twice arrested for dealing crack cocaine and weapons possession was society’s fault, not his. That fact that Sean Bell’s companions were quite familiar with the criminal justice system along with Bell himself was truly an inconvenient truth. The bitter reality was that Sean Bell was a thug that was hanging with his fellow thug friends at a seedy strip joint getting sloshed on Hennessey and enjoying lap dances galore before he took the plunge into matrimony that was only hours away from fruition. But, we dare not say that young Bell acted stupidly for trying to use his motor vehicle as a deadly weapon, and got clipped for his trouble by public servants in the performance of their duties."

To comment on "The Myth Of Sean Bell" post, click here.

McGlowan Returns To FOX News Channel 

From TVNewser: "Fox News has brought conservative political commentator Angela McGlowan back to the network. She made the announcement on her Facebook page last night, and appeared on 'Fox & Friends' and 'The Strategy Room' this morning."

More: "McGlowan had been a regular commentator on FNC and its sister channel Fox Business Network until February of this year, when her contract expired. After she left FNC in February she vied for a House seat in Mississippi. Despite a last-minute endorsement from former Alaska Governor and current Fox News analyst Sarah Palin, McGlowan failed to win the Republican primary. The timing of McGlowan's hire may raise some eyebrows from media watchers. On Monday, stories trickled out (spurred on by tweets from NY Times reporter Brian Stelter) that FNC's audience was only 1.38% black, compared to 19.3% of MSNBC's audience and 20.7% of CNN's."

Actually, Ms. McGlowan was rehired by FOX on June 20, before the Stelter stories.

Carol M. Swain To Appear On "Hannity" Tomorrow

The Vanderbilt University law and political science professor and moderate-conservative, discusses her FOX News Channel appearance on her Facebook page: "I'm scheduled to appear on Hannity (Thursday, July 29, 8:30 CST). Other guests [i]nclude Tony Blankley and Joe Trippi. I'm the X factor. Our panel will discuss the news of the day. Please check local times and listings for your area. My segment should start around 8:40 CST."

Kevin Ross To Host New Legal Show

From the moderate Republican's Facebook page: Entertainment Studios, Inc., [founded by Byron Allen] the largest independent producer and distributor of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations, and owner of six 24-hour HD television networks, is launching its nineteenth and newest television program -- 'America’s Court with Judge Ross' -- the first and only court show shot in HD."

Some background on Mr. Ross: "At age 35, Judge Ross was the youngest judge elected to the bench in the state of California. Judge Ross served for eight years as a prosecutor prior to becoming a Superior Court judge. During his seven years on the bench, Judge Ross handled between 60,000 to 70,000 cases, ranging from traffic and small claims matters, to sexually violent predators and murderers."

To comment on "7/28 News: Bookeristas On TV" post, click here.

Rama Yade, the "evil" capitalist Daniel Cohn-Bendit has surrendered to internal criticism, and has disinvited Rama Yade, the moderate-conservative French Secretary of State for Sport who is one of France's most popular political figures, to a soccer workshop during the European Greens-European Free Alliance meeting in Nantes, France (article in French). Actually, he just cancelled the entire workshop.

The European Greens leader says that he is responding to the "madness of political correctness among hardcore Greens" who don't want "a minister of [French President Nicolas] Sarkozy" involved in a single workshop during their meeting next month. "With this sectarian madness, I don't feel at home", said Mr. Cohn-Bendit. "We need to talk to everybody," he said, mocking the fact that the Greens "have invited Jean-Luc Mélenchon justified Chinese intervention in Tibet! ".

The co-chairman of the Greens in the European Parliament and MEP Yannick Jadot wanted to organize a "Where is soccer?" workshop and had invited Ms. Yade along with French soccer star Vikash Dhorasoo or the president of Olympique Lyonnais, Jean-Michel Aulas.

Mr. Cohn-Bendit, Greens leaderThis soccer workshop "was to be fun and show that Europe is not concerned with ecology as one of the misfortunes of the world," Mr. Cohn-Bendit argued to AFP, said the anti-Yade position of his partymates was "absolutely ridiculous".

Last February, Mr. Cohn-Bendit had declared that he was a fan of Ms. Yade, a former human rights minister. "I think Rama Yade disturbed the right [with some of her outspokenness on certain policy positions] and I think it's perfect." He added, "You know she started [her political career] in the office of Yves Cochet (Green MP since 1997, ed). She has a history, a future and we do not know where it will end. Maybe she will land with the European Greens", he said.

To comment on "European Greens To Their Leader" post, click here.

Thompson Ayodele and Olusegun Sotola of the Initiative for Public Policy Analysis, a Nigerian libertarian think-tank, argue that doing away with Big Government is the only antidote to Nigeria's foreign debt: "Despite the shortcomings associated with foreign loans and past experiences, there are fears that Nigeria‘s loan portfolio might be on the rise and consequently put the nation among debtor nations. It is not accidental that the Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga, warned of dire consequences for unbridled borrowing in the face of cash crunch. The fiscal deficit right now has risen to an estimated deficit of 10 per cent of GDP in 2009 from a surplus of 3.7 per cent of GDP in 2008. Nigeria is gradually on the road to being a highly indebted country. In view of the mounting debt, what is more worrisome is the penchant for increased foreign loans. The external debt stands at $4.3billion. Early this year, domestic debt was $21.3billion. This amount excludes the verified $40 million owed local contractors and $200million unverified amount."

They continue their commentary: "The World Bank has said that no nation with aggressive agenda like Nigeria can succeed without massive borrowing. The Bank needs to be reminded that a country with poor debt management and hard-earned resources going into debt servicing will scarcely succeed. This route, treaded in the 80s, resulted in economic turmoil and triggered the Structural Adjustment Programme. The bulk of the debts negotiated for cancellation in 2005 were obtained in the 80s. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the loans was expended on projects that had doubtful value and most of which became moribund or abandoned. There is a tendency to mismanage loans in a way that only the leaders, lenders and the privileged few benefit. It does not inspire confidence that any loan will be well spent this time."

To comment on "Foreign Loans" post, click here.

The libertarian head of the Inter-Region Economic Network (Kenya) criticizes religious leaders who argue that Kenyans should vote against the proposed constitution - which they argue legalizes abortion and is accepting of homosexuality - in the upcoming referendum: "It is income and the quest for more income – that is what Kenyans want. The country’s religious leaders have failed to read the mood that Kenya as a society has changed. The reason why we farm, go to school, migrate to cities, engage in business, and crime, among others is to address the 'income' issue. The dawn of a new era that will redefine religion, politics and the country’s social fabric is on its way."

He continues his commentary: "The old constitutional order with its colonial winner takes it all approach created economic disparities that put more pressure on individuals and families to such extent that Kenyans are forced to live with wanton cases of foetuses in garbage bins. As the world becomes increasingly multi-polar with Asiatic and South American economies on an upward surge; Kenyans must learn to manage to their benefit a variety of influences at play globally. At independence, a constitutional order that sought to sustain Western influence rewarded collaborators and disenfranchised ethnic communities of the new entity known as Kenya that was established. For over 47 years, the disenfranchised Kenyans battled to create systems that can enable each one to participate effectively in matters of state and country building. Meanwhile every election time has come to mark a period of bloodbath that destroys hundreds of lives in the quest to be part of the national income bracket."

Final thoughts from Mr. Shikwati: "Kenya will sure join the middle income countries if citizens use the new constitutional order to ensure that the new bourgeoisie class creates wealth and not merely rob the citizenry. The simmering rebellion against the old religious order is a pointer that Kenya is on the verge of its own age of enlightenment."

To comment on "The Clergy Didn't Read Kenyans' Mood" post, click here.

Prime Minister Cameron (pictured center) with Ms. Idris (right)The Conservative Party activist in London opines about British Prime Minister David Cameron's foreign policy strategy in the Middle East: "With yesterday’s speech Cameron has achieved his second historical moment. Calling Gaza a prison camp, there is no doubt that will upset Israel and her Western allies, but unfortunately it is the truth. Having a go at France and Germany for blocking Turkey’s entry into the EU...., well, that too is a fact. Sometimes regardless of what we might believe and feel the unavoidable truth will go against the grain and this is one of these times."

More: "For years the West rallied around Israel excused and supported her every move and act. However, throughout all these years Israel has failed to see that Palestine is the weak opponent that could ‘easily’ be turned around from the inside, but with kindness not with a show of power or retaliatory aggression. And, that Palestine is the most natural ally to Israel and the West in the region, in addition to that, peace in Palestine will totally handicap all ‘Islam-fronted’ terrorist activities, and cut off their underground funding and support."

Final thoughts from Ms. Idris, about Prime Minister Cameron: "Here is where Cameron is brilliant; pointing the figure at one state [Israel] he will gain the approval of many states [all the Arabian Peninsula and most of the Middle and the Far East] with Turkey in the mix I can see our Dave becoming a true unifier of East and West [watch out Tony Blaire [sic] etc]. But it is not going to be easy, David Cameron will have a hell of a time from some of his closest and dearest allies in the party, in the country and the world over. Nevertheless, he is on the right track to go down the history books for more than the Coalition!"

To comment on "Cameron, The Unifier" post, click here.

Faye Anderson accuses NUL of selling out to Big Business. The moderate-liberal blogger writes: "The National Urban League kicks off its annual conference today in DC. I will not be there for the opening session. In fact, I do not plan to attend any of the plenary sessions, workshops, etc. This image tells me all I need to know about the 'State of Black America.'"




Ms. Anderson continues her commentary: "I thought it was wrong for Tavis Smiley and the NAACP to accept Wells Fargo’s tainted money. It’s a sign of the times that a social service organization is sponsored by, among others, a bailed-out predatory lender and an oil company that’s responsible for the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history. BP can afford to be generous since American taxpayers will partly foot the bill for the fund established to compensate victims of the oil spill. And let’s not forget the NAACP blasted BP for its response to the oil spill and has accused it of discriminating against 'workers of color' and 'contractors of color.'"

Discuss "National Urban League Centennial Conference" post here.

Tale of the Tigers has garnered great reviews at Amazon and is slowly selling by word-of-mouth. Every person who has read it tells me the same thing: “I couldn’t put it down!” And member of Ace of Spades HQ’s MoronNation™...

Dear Sergeant Eld, I write this letter to you because you were identified as the spokesperson for the Orlando Police Department in a story on false rape accusations that recently ran on NBC Channel Two in Orlando, both in their television broadcast and on their website. There were some statements attributed to you by the [...]

Regular readers may recall that back in April, Booker Rising mentioned that Aretha Franklin (a liberal Democrat) and Condoleezza Rice (a moderate-conservative Republican) were joining forces to raise funds for music education for poor children. The charity concert (with the Philadelphia Orchestra) happened last night in Philadelphia:


Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Ms. Rice is a classically trained pianist who considered becoming a professional musician before opting in college to specialize in studying the former Soviet Union. She was greeted with cheers and a few boos when she played a nine-minute program with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Now a political science professor at Stanford University, Ms. Rice played a duet with Ms. Franklin on "Say a Little Prayer for You", which Ms. Franklin introduced by saying: "You didn't think she could play it, right?" Ms. Franklin also ran through classics including "Respect," "Chain of Fools", and "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman." Also, an opera aria or two.

The benefit performance - which was attended by 8,000 people - was expected to raise $580,000 for an annual program that allows poor kids to attend concerts and master classes at Philadelphia's Mann Music Center for the Performing Arts.

To comment on "Aretha & Condi 'Jam' For Underprivileged Kids" post, click here.

The liberal president and CEO of the National Urban League - which is having its centennial conference in D.C. this week - promotes a blueprint for civil rights and economic opportunity: "The National Urban League has a plan to directly create three million jobs by providing assistance to cities, states, school districts and public universities, community colleges and community-based organizations. These efforts must be targeted on the areas of highest unemployment, where the need is greatest, and which in many cases are the neighborhoods where the clients of Urban League affiliates reside. We've called for Green Empowerment Zones and Technology Empowerment Zones, which are designed to attract green and technology private sector jobs to inner cities and the areas of the highest unemployment."

He continues: "In order to create jobs and inspire a new generation of African-American entrepreneurs, we've called on the Small Business Administration would reduce its interest rate to one percent, to assist start-ups and small businesses looking to create jobs through expansion, and we've challenged the banks and the investment banks to improve access to capital for this new generation of African-American entrepreneurs. Through the creation of Urban Jobs Academies, which foster the expansion of the Urban Youth Empowerment Program, we can train and prepare struggling men and women for these jobs. We must fight back against the almost 50 percent teenage unemployment rate by establishing a new, year-round, teenage jobs program to supplant the Youth Summer Jobs Program."

To comment on "Urban League At 100" post, click here.

Speaking of breaking the mental chains... Many black Americans are waking up to the fact that the proliferation of Margaret Sanger's Planned Parenthood and its promotion of abortion were planned to succeed where more overt forms of oppression against black...

Cao, of Vietnamese origin, represents a mostly black districtAsks Aaron Laramore, about the moderate Louisiana Republican. The moderate-conservative Republican blogger in Indiana writes about the Congressman, who defeated nine-term Democratic incumbent William Jefferson in 2008 but whose victory many political observers say is a fluke in his majority-black district because the corruption charges that faced Jefferson: "Cao's district is about 61% African American and he's got a November challenger in state Rep. Cedric Richmond (D), an African American.  Democrats think Cao is vulnerable against a black challenger and pretty much assume that racial identification plus Cao's [R]epublican affiliation spells defeat in November.  However, Cao currently sports a quite healthy poll lead over the less well known Richmond by a 51%-26% margin, according to a survey conducted May 27-June 2 by LA pollster Verne Kennedy. Cao leads Richmond by a 67%-13% margin among white voters, and by a narrower 39%-36% margin among African American voters."

Mr. Laramore continues his commentary: "The poll lead appears to reflect the stronger support among his districts white voters than black ones, but blacks are the majority of the district and there is no good reason to think so many of them will stay home that he can afford to be complacent about their vote. In point of fact, Cao has a great opportunity here to show the rest of the GOP how to communicate conservative values and policy positions to an African American voting audience and translate those ideas into conservative solutions that benefit his constituents. The fact that he currently maintains a poll lead with blacks over his challenger demonstrates that for black voters, its about performance, not just whether the candidate looks like them. If Cao can make the case that the GOP approach in their district is better, he can close the deal and in the process, cut off at the knees any and all excuses by the GOP for not effectively engaging with the black community as a political constituency."

To comment on "Joseph Cao" post, click here.

Who are the best-looking moderates, conservatives, and libertarians of black African descent? Twelve males have been nominated (one of whom has received multiple nominations), between this blog, Booker Rising's Facebook and Twitter pages, and emailed nominations. Eighteeen females have been nominated. Three of them have multiple nominations.

Nominate folks either in the comments section or email bookerrising@yahoo.com by Saturday. 

To comment on "Who Are The Hottest Bookeristas?" post, click here.

“Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts” is how the great Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman defined science in his article “What is Science?” Feynman emphasized this definition by repeating it in a stand-alone sentence in extra large typeface in his article.  (Feynman’s essay is available online, but behind a subscription wall: The [...]