Motley Moose – Archive

Several weeks ago in Haiti, Evangelicals, and missionaries attempted to stop Haitians from conducting traditional Vodou ceremonies for the dead.

Some of the same evangelicals have desecrated shrines erected for those who died in the earthquake.

Some of those same missionaries have withheld food and aid supplies to any Haitian who practices the traditional faith of a majority of the population.

Vodou is the religion of the masses in Haiti, along with Catholicism, and recognized by the government.    

Eitan Abramovich /AFP

The rains have come early.  People are already dying in the floods.

The photo above is from a Christian Science Monitor story

As world watches Chile earthquake, deadly floods hit quake-rocked Haiti

A man walks on a flooded path Sunday as he enters a house just outside the coastal city of Les Cayes, Haiti. As the world watched the aftermath of the Chilean earthquake, flooding triggered by heavy rain killed at least 11 people in Les Cayes, Haiti’s third-most-populous city.

Yes, there is still reporting being done from Haiti. Even though it has slipped from the headlines efforts continue here to keep it on our minds and in our pockets.

Please view this video, and read the following sobering report:

Tonight PBS will air:

“In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement,” is a concert in the White House East Room. President and Mrs. Obama will host the event in honor of Black History Month, and the evening will feature songs from the Civil Rights Movement performed by top entertainers, as well as readings from famous Civil Rights speeches and writings. Artists include Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Howard University Choir and The Freedom Singers, featuring Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Rutha Harris, Charles Neblett and Toshi Reagon. Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Queen Latifah and Joanne Woodward will be guest speakers. The music special airs on February 11 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS stations nationwide

In other words –  political struggle is not about quitting.

Sweet Honey in the Rock sing it better than I can say it.

Media Promotes Flawed Haiti Narrative is the headline and title of a commentary and new youtube video by Kris Broughton (*see editor’s note below) at Brown Man Thinking Hard.

*editor’s note: Kris Broughton, aka the Brown Man from Brown Man Thinking Hard, contacted Motley Moose and provided the link to his original post of the above video.

The video was written, voiced, and produced by Kris and kindly uploaded to Youtube by Baratunde Thurston.

As we all turn our eyes towards the epic tragedy unfolding in Haiti, and as massive relief  efforts continue, I am enraged by right-wing commentary that encourages our citizenry to turn their backs on Haiti and Haitians.  For what do they have to do with us?

The history of Haiti, and its relationship to the United States is as old as the American Revolution; not withstanding the spews of bigots.  This monument stands in Savannah Georgia as silent testimony to our shared history.

(This diary was posted first to Daily Kos, and I am including it here as it unfolded with updates and an addenda)

It has come to my attention, that somehow a filmmaker and blogger named Jane Hamsher, who seems to be the new leader (appointed by whom I don’t know) of a portion of “left progressives” has proposed a new political alliance with Teabaggers.  

While idly skimming comments today in a diary here on DKos, this factoid happened to catch my eye.  The reference was to recent statements she has made on the Huffington Post, a place I rarely visit, unless it is to follow a link posted here.

I realize that this person has her own blog.  Found that out during the health care debates around here. Never been there.

At a time when many foundations have cut back funding, even to the big prestigious groups and institutions that normally look to them for sustenance, the Union Square Awards were given out last week in NYC, to local grass roots organizations that are doing progressive work in their communities.

These awards are not just a plaque and a pat on the back.  They provide sorely needed funds for small grassroots groups doing important work in the diverse communities that make up the rich cultural melange that is New York City.  

Decided to cross-post this here as it goes hand in hand with Sricki’s diary on Republicans and Rape.

International News agencies have been following the aftermath of the brutal killings in Conakry, and Secretary of State Clinton has spoken out strongly against the violence.

Here is the background on the events of Sept 28th, in a stadium in Conakry, Guinea.

Political crisis in Guinea Conakry womens rape