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Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 817
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 4:15 pm: | 
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From SOHH.com:
Daily Hip-Hop News:
Prez & Laura Bush to 'Take On' Bloods, Crips and Hip-Hop
Thursday - February 3, 2005
by Rich Rock
When the President laid out his plan for America during last night's "State of the Union" address, he took direct aim at the notorious Bloods and Crips gangs -- and indirectly - Hip-Hop music.
President George W. Bush interrupted our regularly scheduled programs last night to present his second term initiatives, including an anti-gang proposal to be helmed by First Lady Laura Bush and aimed at the notorious Bloods, Crips and other inner-city gangs. Under the umbrella of his "faith-based" initiatives, the President introduced a three-year plan to "help young people out of gangs," a problem once confined to areas like California but now spreading rampantly to densely-populated cities like New York.
"Our government will continue to support faith-based and community groups that bring hope to harsh places," said the President to a rousing round of applause. "Now we need to focus on giving young people, especially young men in our cities, better options than apathy, or gangs, or jail."
The President proposed outreach by parents, pastors, coaches and community leaders to "show young men an ideal of manhood that respects women and rejects violence." Hip-Hop music, often criticized for its misogynistic lyrics and violent content, would be the indirect target of this new initiative. Jeff Chang, hip-hop journalist and author of the new title, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop," believes Bush's policies have a role in the proliferation of the gangs and violence he's trying to address.
"For hip-hop generation youths caught in the cycle of violence, positive messages alone won't solve the problem," Chang told SOHH.com. "As Bush's tax cuts and war economics continue to make many youths of color expendable, the level of violence and desperation has been creeping back up in many inner cities. The hip-hop generation needs real jobs and resources in the neighborhoods, community-centered problem-solving, and a long-term commitment to their emotional, mental, and physical health. Anything less is bad faith."
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Sgt. Pepper
Citizen
Username: Jjkatz
Post Number: 625
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 4:36 pm: |
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OK, I loathe Bush as much as anyone, but I'm not sure I understand what Jeff Chang is on about. Is he worried that if fewer kids join gangs, that there will be less Hip-Hop music? Like that's a bad thing? |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 818
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 4:42 pm: |
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Chang is saying that Bush is all talk. If Bush really wanted to address gangs, he'd ditch the rhetoric and change some his policies that would encourage employment among inner-city black youths. He's saying Bush's "faith-based" proposals are bullsh*t...these kids need jobs which are not happening for them in Bush's administration. |
J. Crohn
Citizen
Username: Jcrohn
Post Number: 2051
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 4:54 pm: |
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Then "these kids" can start getting prepared to hold jobs by developing some basic human respect for women and rejecting violence.
Chang's article is the stupidest thing I've seen posted on MOL in a week. |
overtaxdalready
Citizen
Username: Overtaxdalready
Post Number: 342
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 3, 2005 - 8:31 pm: |
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Just wait JCrohn...Livingston's sure to top it soon. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 397
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 9:21 am: |
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If Bush really wanted to address gangs, he'd ditch the rhetoric and change some his policies that would encourage employment among inner-city black youths. He's saying Bush's "faith-based" proposals are bullsh*t...these kids need jobs which are not happening for them in Bush's administration.
Growing up in the "inner city" , I completely understand this statement. My sister worked with "at-risk-kids" in the inner city where gangs are alive. Her job was to keep "these kids" in school and on the right track.
Guess what? Her job and program was cut! By whom? Yours trully GW Bush because no federal funding from our government to support this program and keep "these kids" in school and on the right path of life.
Under the umbrella of his "faith-based" initiatives, the President introduced a three-year plan to "help young people out of gangs," a problem once confined to areas like California but now spreading rampantly to densely-populated cities like New York.
Wrong!
The Crips & Bloods have been operating in Boston for the past 10 years. My son's Godfather works "Gang intelligence" on the police force in Boston and its a ever growing problem. You can add Rhode Island, Conn., & New Jersey, Maryland, Penn. & VA for the east coast. And GW's turf DC
"Our government will continue to support faith-based and community groups that bring hope to harsh places," said the President to a rousing round of applause. "Now we need to focus on giving young people, especially young men in our cities, better options than apathy, or gangs, or jail."
Yeh… all talk, but yet the at-risk-kids program was slashed! After school programs…CUT!
And Laura Bush heading the program?  She'll do as much as Hilary Clinton did for Healthcare!
And this goes beyond the Bloods & Crips. You have the drug gangs luring young kids away for a fast buck!
If there are no funding for programs and jobs for our youth, how else can they survive? Unfortunately, they look to these gangs as way of survival.
"For hip-hop generation youths caught in the cycle of violence, positive messages alone won't solve the problem," Chang told SOHH.com. "As Bush's tax cuts and war economics continue to make many youths of color expendable, the level of violence and desperation has been creeping back up in many inner cities. The hip-hop generation needs real jobs and resources in the neighborhoods, community-centered problem-solving, and a long-term commitment to their emotional, mental, and physical health.
And thats the TRUTH!
JCrohn,
Chan's article is the stupidest thing I've seen posted on MOL in a week
Another sign of ignorance. SHAME!
Spend a few weeks in the drug invested wards of Newark and report back and see if Changs article is so STUPID! 
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Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 821
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 9:41 am: |
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JCrohn's, and overtaxdalready's, dismissive attitude about this won't solve any problems with gangs, or the misogyny and violence inherent in hip-hop music, which is certainly influencial in setting styles as well as attitudes. JCrohn is basically saying the way to curb violence and misogynistic attitutes among inner city youths is to...what? Hold back jobs and opportunities until these at-risk kids learn some damn respect? Is that it, JCrohn?
Unfortunately, Bush is only paying lip-service to any real problem, while cutting funds that might actually make a difference.
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Strawberry
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 4457
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 9:46 am: |
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This thread is stupid..and BORING. |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 2004
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 10:02 am: |
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I suspect Bush's initiatives to do something about gangs will disappear even faster than his plans to curb carbon dioxide emissions 4 years ago. He and Laura are no more capable of understanding America's urban youth than they are of understanding the lives of pre-suicide bombers in the Middle East. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 399
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 10:04 am: |
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Unfortunately, Bush is only paying lip-service to any real problem, while cutting funds that might actually make a difference.
Robert,
Cutting funds for programs that could benefit the inner city has been an ongoing problem with this administration for awhile. And just preaching, is NOT going to solve the issue of gangs and gang violence.
When it (gangs) comes to a neighborhood near you, and affect your way of life, then we'll see what the nay sayers will *think* then.
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Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 400
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 10:05 am: |
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I suspect Bush's initiatives to do something about gangs will disappear even faster than his plans to curb carbon dioxide emissions 4 years ago. He and Laura are no more capable of understanding America's urban youth than they are of understanding the lives of pre-suicide bombers in the Middle East.
DITTO! |
Robert Livingston
Citizen
Username: Rob_livingston
Post Number: 822
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 10:08 am: |
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Phenix: It's certainly been a problem the last four years, but came up again because Bush felt the need to bring up during his SOTU to promote his "faith-based initiatives" which is Bush for "you get no money, but I'm being told not everyone in America is wealthy, and I guess I have to acknowledge that in some way, so I'll see to it that God will help you..."
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marie
Citizen
Username: Marie
Post Number: 1251
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 1:26 pm: |
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From The BostonHerald.com
Eastie gang linked to al-Qaeda
By Michele McPhee
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
A burgeoning East Boston-based street gang made up of alleged rapists and machete-wielding robbers has been linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist network, prompting Boston police to ``turn up the heat'' on its members, the Herald has learned.
MS-13, which stands for La Mara Salvatrucha, is an extremely violent organization with roots in El Salvador, and boasts more than 100 ``hardcore members'' in East Boston who are suspected of brutal machete attacks, rapes and home invasions. There are hundreds more MS-13 gangsters in towns along the North Shore, said Boston police Sgt. Detective Joseph Fiandaca, who has investigated the gang since it began tagging buildings in Maverick Square in 1995.
In recent months, intelligence officials in Washington have warned national law enforcement agencies that al-Qaeda terrorists have been spotted with members of MS-13 in El Salvador, prompting concerns the gang may be smuggling Islamic fundamentalist terrorists into the country. Law enforcement officials have long believed that MS-13 controls alien smuggling routes along Mexico.
The warning is being taken seriously in East Boston, where Raed Hijazi, an al-Qaeda operative charged with training the suicide bombers in the attack on the USS Cole, lived and worked, prosecutors have charged.
Also, the commercial jets that hurtled into the World Trade Center towers in New York City were hijacked from Logan International Airport.
``The terrorist aspect, especially when you think in terms of 9/11 and how intent these terrorists are, will turn the heat up on our efforts with MS-13,'' Fiandaca said.
MS-13 members congregate near the Maverick Square train station sporting white and blue bandannas, their skin inked with spider webs and ``laugh now, cry later'' clown faces.
``MS-13 is the most dangerous gang in the area,'' Fiandaca said. ``They are big. They are mobile. Now they have a terrorist connection.''
The theory that Salvadoran criminals manage to smuggle people over the border was bolstered this month when two Boston men described as MS-13 leaders were spotted on the North Shore days before Christmas - a year after they were deported by Boston Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigators for gang-related crimes.
One of the two men, Elmer ``Tiger'' Tejada, 24, who had been deported after being convicted of a slew of crimes, including attempted murder charges for hurling a machete at Chelsea cops, was busted in Lynn on New Year's Day. Tejada is described as ``an original MS-13 member'' from East Boston, sources said.
A manhunt has been launched for the second fugitive, who is in the country illegally, Boston police said.
The growing number of MS-13 members, and the degree of violence the gang engages in, prompted investigators from 14 local and national agencies to form the North Shore Gang Intelligence task force in 2000, Fiandaca said.
Among the most notorious local crimes attributed to MS-13 was the gang rape of two deaf girls, one 14, the other 17, in a Somerville park in 2002. Three MS-13 gang members were charged in the brutal rapes, during which one victim was knocked from her wheelchair before the assault.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5352
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 3:49 pm: |
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soda, do you have an audio clip of Nancy Reagan saying, "Just say no."? I think that's what we need, right about now. |
Sgt. Pepper
Citizen
Username: Jjkatz
Post Number: 630
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 4:47 pm: |
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I loved Nancy's approach to the homelessness problem too. She had buttons made that said "Just get a house."
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cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 3094
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 10:54 pm: |
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Didn't Midnight Basketball clear this up? I thought it was making headway after they started arming the referees. |
Mustt_mustt
Citizen
Username: Mustt_mustt
Post Number: 263
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 4, 2005 - 11:57 pm: |
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Talk about red and blue! Go pats! |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2496
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 12:07 pm: |
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BTW: Thanks, Marie, for not implying that the article you quoted was actually about the SO/MA School System which your offspring will soon be leaving. |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1630
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 3:59 pm: |
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I don't agree that the Bush family initiative targeting inner city youths will be abandoned so quickly...it's easy access to prime army recruitment targets: young men of color with few opportunities.
and before anyone goes freaky on me...yes, I think it is better to wind up in the military than in a gang. But that's not the point. |
Strawberry
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 4472
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 4:09 pm: |
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young man of color have few opportunities?
Holy Jesse Jackson, batman! What an excuse. |
Debby
Citizen
Username: Debby
Post Number: 1631
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 9:05 pm: |
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Young men of color with limited opportunities are the ones at-risk, and the ones being targeted by these initiatives. They are also the biggest recruit pool for the armed forces. If Bush doesn't reinstate the draft, he's gonna have to get creative.
Looks like he's already started. |
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