August 23, 2007

Obviously somebody thought it was a good idea, and that someone was not me. We had a county-wide Civics & Economics and US History meeting this morning. What was bad was that we were shown statistics for 3 hours and were read to from a PowerPoint presentation. And if that wasn't bad enough, what she was reading to us was the same thing at least 3 three times! I wished someone had stabbed out my eyes, it was that bad. It is also worth noting that I am always suspicious of statistics. Instinctively, when ever I am given statistics and then lectured to about them, the first thing I want to do is find out how these figures have been manipultaed and distorted to fit the message that I am being told. For me, the end result is a pointless bunch of numbers and graphs combined with a waste of time.

The irony of all ironies today. On my way to work I noticed that the Ford has begun to rough idle. I also noticed what sounded like an air leak from under the hood. Probably just a loose or a broken hose, but combine this with the almost $800 worth of work to replace the A/C compressor earlier this month, and the prior freon recharge of over $150 and what you have is a lot of money being sunk into a Ford Contour with 90,000 miles. The irony was in the mail today - the title to the car, we paid it off this month. Just in time, huh?

Today's Headlines:

Police Say Bey IV Involved In Oakland Journalist Slaying (NBC11.com)

Have you all heard about this? There is a string of wholesome foods bakeries in California called "Your Black Muslim Bakery." This bakery chain seems to be responsible for a crime spree in the Oakland area. Sound weird? Yeah, I though so too. As it turns out, originally, the bakery was founded by Dr. Yusuf Bey, member of the "Nation of Islam" organization and religious group. When he first opened his bakery it was simply named "Your Bakery" but Elijah Muhammad convinced Bey to change the name to "Your Black Muslim Bakery." It seems that this bakery also provided services for youth in the neighborhoods through lectures, sermons, and religious meetings. However, the bakery has allegedly turned militant in its goals and is accused of vandalism, arson, murder, rape, and a list of other such serious offenses. Some convictions have been made against individual members, and regarding pending cases, the evidence seems overwhelming. The thought of a bakery controlling, extroting, and bullying neighborhoods sounds strange, but the once legitimate bakery must simply be a front for some other, almost gang-like, goals.

Video: Oakland Police Discuss Raid

There also does not seem to be shortage of information or opinions about this bakery.
Wikipedia: Your Black Muslim Bakery
Michelle Malkin: Oakland, Fremont police descend on Your Black Muslim Bakery
Chritopher Hitchens: Brutality by the Bay (Slate.com)