3 Kings Day

While Virgin Islander’s and tourists from around the world basked in pageantry during the 60^th annual Virgin Islands Carnival, jump-up, march and jamboree, on St. Thomas,  the wheels of justice continued to turn concerning unfolding allegations of political corruption and financial mismanagement by VI government officials. According to most reports this year’s carnival was “the bomb” and ranked among the highest in terms of attendance from its auspicious beginning.  Concomitantly, the endless revelations pointing to official corruption in the context of the United States’ federal justice process, seems to be moving to the point of adjudication.

Impacting the jubilant orbit of carnival week, the Washington DC based national investigative news organ, The Daily Caller published on Monday April 30, 2012 another installment in their ongoing investigative report on alleged VI government corruption and official bribery scandal, authored by Matthew Boyle. “Former U.S. Virgin Island Senator David Jones helped his fellow Sen. Roosevelt David deliver cash bribes in the territory’s bribery scandal, The Daily Caller’s Department of Justice source said.

According to a knowledgeable government official who served on a Department of Justice team put in place to arrest finance executives close to that telecommunications deal, U.S. Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh accepted a portion of a least $20 million in cash bribes that floated throughout the territory’s government.

The U.S. Department of Justice, source said, they never acted on sealed indictments related to a years-long criminal scheme involving bank fraud and other financial crimes.  The bribes, according to the source, were for de Jongh, his attorney general, Vincent Frazer, and assorted Virgin Islands legislators-all aimed at squashing local concerns about financial irregularities identified on the books of the National Rural Utilities Cooperation Finance Cooperative (CFC).

The Daily Caller has previously reported that the U.S. Department of Justice source said, David was the ‘bag man’ and ally of the governor and CFC who delivered the cash bribes from CFC to the governor.  The DC source said, Jones played a role similar to David’s but dealt more with local legislators and acted much more ‘behind-the-scenes’ than David.  According to the source, Jones delivered bribes to Virgin Islands Senators.

Some of the senators aren’t friends with him (Roosevelt David) in the sense that he could sit with them and work a deal out for them to vote on a bill, The DC’s source said, in a recent phone interview.  So, former Sen. David Jones would pick up where he (Roosevelt David) could not complete.  When in the U.S. Virgin Islands legislature, Jones served as Senate President-something that gives him more clout than the average former senator.  David Jones was one of those in the background lobbying other senators and working other consultants with Roosevelt David through the governor’s office, The DC’s source said.

The DC’s source also said that Roosevelt David was at one point cooperating with federal investigators on the case.  He, Roosevelt David was cooperating with federal agents originally and, of course with what has been revealed or determined now, he’s gone silent, the source said, adding that David has ‘gone mute’ because it’s been discovered his role in the case was much more substantial than originally thought.

But because we know so much more now, we don’t really need him, Roosevelt David, anymore. The DC’s source added.  The DC’s source also said Jones has ‘never cooperated’ with federal investigators.  The Daily Caller was unable to reach Jones for comment before the story.  In previous attempts to speak with David, he refused interviews and has hung up the phone.”

Gary James, who recently relocated to St. Croix from New York, has contacted Congressmen, Rangel and Conyers concerning the perception of political collusion between particular members of the US Department of Justice and VI government officials under indictment, which is why execution of the federal sealed indictments was truncated.  In his (James) letter to the congressmen, he said, “I am concerned that there are efforts underway to link President Obama’s reelection campaign with short circuiting movement on the alleged VI government corruption case, for political reasons.”

James is heading up a coalition of Republicans and Democrats in New York City, on behalf of the reelection of President Obama, and they are formulating a fundraiser a fall fundraiser for the Obama campaign. A spokesperson for Gary James said, “We trust that President Obama will in short order distance his reelection the campaign in order to avoid any perception of collusion with the administration of the non-voting Virgin Islands governor.”

On April 24, 2012 the Daily Caller reported that U.S. Department of Justice official Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich plans to resign his position shortly for allegedly providing misleading information to congress relative to the Virgin Islands bribery scandal and other matters.

Matthew Boyle of The Daily Caller published an article on April 16, 2012 that identified former U. S. Virgin Islands Senator Roosevelt David as the man who delivered cash bribes to Governor John de Jongh and others in the unfolding bribery scandal. According to their Department of Justice source, Mr. Roosevelt David denied this allegation as “nonsense” on a radio talk show in the VI on Thursday April 19, 2012.

The Daily Caller read, “According to a knowledgeable government official who served on the Department of Justice team put in place to arrest finance executives close to that telecommunications deal, de Jongh accepted a portion of at least $20 million in cash bribes that floated throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands government.” “The U.S. Department of Justice, the source said, never acted on the sealed indictments related to a years-long criminal scheme involving bank fraud and other financial crimes.” “The bribes, according to the source, were for de Jongh, his attorney general, Vincent Frazer, and assorted Virgin Islands legislators – all aimed at quashing local concerns about financial irregularities identified on the books of the National Rural Utilities Corporation Finance Cooperative (CFC).” The question of a possible association, real or perceived, between the Obama campaign and unfolding revelations of government political corruption, financial malfeasance and mismanagement in the VI surfaced when a resident of St. Croix, raised that concern to his stateside political associate.

Gary James recently established residency on the “big island” of St. Croix and is undertaking research on his family ancestry on the island. James is a longtime political activist and analyst based in New York City and a strong supporter of President Obama’s reelection. While discussing presidential election 2012 he raised the association question to a state side political colleague, also a supporter of the president’s reelection. The question of possible political linkages between corruption in the Virgin Islands and the Obama Department of Justice became an intriguing idea because of James’ grassroots community political credentials as a leader of the activist wing of the Republican Party.

James, chairman of the National Black Grand Old Party (NBGOP), recently made a public endorsement of the Obama reelection campaign. The relevant (James) political associate and a longtime Harlem based Democratic Party political operative having links to the Obama campaign, and James were discussing the launching of a bi-partisan grassroots reelection initiative for the president. James said, “There is a groundswell of political unity and support emerging in the Virgin Islands, and on St. Croix in particular, to recall members of the Board of Elections, the governor, and members of the legislature because of a plethora of political and financial corruption that has led to massive layoffs in both the public and private employment sectors.  The petition campaign to recall the members of the St. Croix Board of Elections, and trigger a new election has been successful.”

James continued, “The abounding egregious political facts on the ground perpetrated by government officials, legislative, executive and judicial, coupled with the alleged sealed indictments for Gov. De Jongh, AG Vincent Frazer and assorted legislators disclosed by The Daily Caller’s investigative reports, that broke a few months ago, has far reaching political implications.” “If it is proven to be true that the execution of these sealed indictments were quashed at the highest levels of the U.S. Department of Justice it’s a very serious situation and there will be much concern and anxiety relative to the prospect of political collusion between the Federal and VI governments and troubling to Virgin Islanders going forward.”

“The specter of a corresponding component of political corruption extending from the government of the Virgin Islands to the highest echelons of the United States DOJ is an odious political machination for the aggrieved citizens of the VI… Also, I am concerned that our bi-partisan campaign effort on behalf of the reelection of the President is not truncated by some unforeseen political revelation connecting the VI scandal to the Obama campaign.” James sent a letter (email) to Congressmen John Conyers and Charles Rangel, seeking clarification to determine if the perceived VI link to the Obama campaign is real…

James is organizing, 21^st Century Republicans for President Obama 2012, and his organization www.nbgop.info has formulated a grassroots political game-plan with Democrats in a bi-partisan strategic campaign initiative. In addition to contributing to the bi-partisan grassroots political ground-game initiative on behalf of the reelection of President Barack Obama, James is spearheading an effort to encourage mainland Americans that have family roots in the Virgin Islands to establish their residency on the respective island and register to vote. Many African Americans have family roots in the Virgin Islands, formerly known as the Danish West Indies.

Moreover, mainland African Americans that trace their roots to the various southern states may be surprised to learn that their roots extend to the Caribbean by way of the southern states where enslaved Africans were sold on the auction block, after first being “broken” on one of the European Colonies in the Caribbean.  Therefore, notwithstanding roots in the south, their families very likely arrived to the new world from the shores of one of the Caribbean slave colonies. James’ research has thus far identified his great, great grandfather, Johannes James who was born into slavery in 1825 and lived at Estate Hermitage where he worked as a Cooper.

Johannes’ father Adam and mother Helena, also lived on the estate but according to the records examined so far, Adam did not have a surname and was listed with his wife as not baptized, according to Danish Records.

James is a veteran political activist and analyst in the States beginning with a three year stint as a staff community organizer for the National Welfare Rights Organization (NWRO), in the mid 1960’s under the leadership of Dr. George Wiley, President of the organization.  He (James) recently established residency on St. Croix and became inspired to participate as an informed voter in Virgin Islands electoral politics going forward. James said,

“I have discovered my birth-right here in the remnants of Estates Hermitage and Big Fountain, where my direct paternal line of ancestors labored as enslaved Africans, and whose remains are buried in the rich earth that is St. Croix.  I have found the resting place of my DNA as it was established in the western hemisphere and I intend to honor my family legacy and birth-right to help determine the future of St. Croix and the Virgin Islands…

I encourage other mainland African Americans to research their family ancestry in the Virgin Islands and other Caribbean countries and make every effort to establish residency there and become informed about the history and current events on the ground and prepare to participate in their country’s electoral future.” “However” James concluded, “Our primary concern at this time is to reconcile the myriad questions surrounding the alleged sealed indictments, and the unfolding political facts on the ground.  Hopefully we can isolate our Obama grassroots campaign initiative from the perception of a conflict within elements in the U.S. Department of Justice and the alleged $20 million dollar bribery scandal with VI Government officials…”

"Order of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah"

The founding father’ of the Roman Catholic Church promoted a revisionist brand of Christianity that had no organic connection with Judaic- Hebrew tradition.  The organic Christian tradition that is based in Hebrew -Judaic heritage, is represented by the heirs of Solomon.  Hence, the Judeo-Christian connection continues in the context of “Tabot” Christianity, which was declared as heretical by the Roman Church.  “Tabot” is the Hebrew-Amharic word meaning Ark of the Covenant.  The Ark of the Covenant, (Tabot) is a critical component of the Ethiopian Church liturgy.

Apart from the dichotomy between the western and eastern Christian Communions relative to the nature of Christ, vis-à-vis, eastern monophysite as compared to the duel nature of Christ as practice in the west, there is another profound distinction between east and west.  It was Paul who introduced the obligation of celibacy in the western church.  Hence, celibacy continues to be a hallmark requirement among the Roman Catholic Priesthood since 325 AD.  Interestingly enough some 1300 years later during the Protestant Reformation celibacy was also a significant point of contention.  Accordingly, some members of the Eastern Orthodox oriental communion reference the Roman Church as “Pauline” Christianity, making specific reference to obligatory celibacy…

In addition to the nature of Christ, and celibacy, the third great dichotomy exists between the churches from the east and west is their respective holy books.  The western bible is comprised of 66 books in total and is divided by the Old Testament (39) and the New Testament (27).  The eastern bible is comprised of 81 books in total and there is no division with respect to old and new Testaments.  The eastern text is written in Amharic (Hebrew), a language Jesus reportedly spoke.  The original document was translated from the Hebrew, to the Greek, followed by the Latin version which was introduced to the lands ruled by the Roman Empire.  The Latin version remained dominant in the western world until the 1600 when King Henry VIII, broke with the Papacy, establishing the Church of England, and we have record of the monk Martin Luther and the historic Protestant movement, which resulted in the various English version of the Holy Scripture…

There is a fourth dichotomy that I would mention between the eastern and western Christian Church…  The Western Church has no organic connection to Judaic tradition, whereas the Eastern Church from it’s advent is directly connected to Judaism.  This is discussed in OT Kings…  But as a practical matter Judaic Tradition is based on the “messianic expectation” in terms of the concept of messiah, as the theology points out.  This messianic tradition was introduced to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1000 BC, by way of the heir of King Solomon, Menelik, First Emperor of Ethiopia in Judaic tradition.  This tradition came in the form of the “Order of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the delegation of first born men and women that accompanied Emporer Menelik from Jerusalem to Ethiopia in 1000 BC.   Among the entourage of first born were priests of the Magi.  Accordingly, at the appointed celestial time the Magi herald the birth of the messiah Jesus Christ, by way of the three wise kings of the Magi’ visitation.  However there were some among the Judaic community that did not recognize Jesus to be the expected One.  Hence Judaic tradition became bifurcated on the question of acceptance of Jesus as Messiah.  And the remaining Hebrew community continues to divide internally on the question of acceptance of the perceived messiah.  Today Judaic-Christianity is known as “Tabot” Christianity.  Tabot is the Amharic word for “Ark of the Covenant” which continues to play a major role in the liturgy of the Church of Abyssinia.

"Gary James"

The management of the St. Croix Blogger Dot Com is please to acknowledge the vision and imagination of the owners of Black Political Taskforce Dot Org for inspiring and helping to facilitate the joint-venture that is formulated in the concept and application of Virgin Islands Going Forward Dot Com and Virgin Islands Fourth Estate Dot Com.  These ventures were born out of the merger between the parties which is immediate expressed by the content of STXbogger.com, going forward.

Prospects relative to the feasibility of a VI venture were initially researched by The JC Group, Inc.  Gary James was discovered to have direct paternal family ancestry on the island of St. Croix that dates back to at least 1825.  During that time African’s were enslaved on the three islands by Denmark, known during that period as the Danish West Indies.  The research revealed specifically that Jonas James was born into slavery in 1825 and lived at Hermitage Estate with his wife Augustine James.   Preliminary research indicates that “Adam” the father of Jonas was only known by his first name.  Gary James is a direct ascendant from the Adam line.  Subsequently, Gary established a company presence on St Croix, the “big island” which serves as a base of operation for the two projects Virgin Islands Going Forward Dot Com and Virgin Islands Fourth Estate Dot Com.

Advent of the Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas St. John), occurred on March 31, 1917, when they were purchased by the United States of America from Denmark.  This date is recorded in history as “Transfer Day” and it is commemorated annually by the governments of Denmark and the Virgin Islands respectively.  Prior to this period “Transfer Day,” the islands were known as the Danish West Indies, and were among the respective Caribbean Island colonies of the various European powers and they served as a staging venue for what is popularly referred to in history as the “international slave trade.”

Both projects, VI Going Forward (magazine), and VI Fourth Estate (newspaper) are portals representing a grassroots perspective on the history, current economic, political, social and cultural dynamics in the VI territory in the context of unfolding local as well as global facts on the ground.  Stay tuned while we develop our Internet presence going forward…

We cordially invite you to continue to access the St. Croix Blogger for on the ground coverage of events as they unfold in the Virgin Islands and Caribbean.  These unfolding developments will provide interesting comparisons; analogues and symmetries between the state of black politics between the VI and America, as well as on continental Africa and the Diaspora.  Stay tuned…

"Gary James"

The global community is generally informed relative to the contemporary Christian versus Muslim, and Muslim versus Christian ongoing warfare in particular, as well as the general animus between the respective religions of Abraham.  The recent article circulating on the Internet entitled, “The Global War on Christians in the Muslim World,” authored by Ayann Hirsi Ali, further informs and enlightens us concerning this ancient religious dilemma.

However, the subtitle of the popular author’s piece, “From one end of the Muslim world to the other, Christians are being murdered for their faith,” seems to offer a parochial political point of view…  Nevertheless, this writer continues to observe a circumlocution relative to the genesis and contextual nature of this enigmatic religious adversarial phenomenon.  Accordingly, it may be useful to mention the historical procession of the religions of Abraham in terms of their linear emergence, vis-a-vis, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, respectively.

Abounding incidences of religious intolerance around the world also reveal geopolitical juxtapositions that include respective military contingencies that foreshadow various “end time” eschatological propositions that continue to be advanced.  Unfortunately, the diversity within both Christianity and Islam is overshadowed by the sweeping generalities that reference the Christian and Muslim divide and their confrontational disposition and posture.  Consequently, the nuanced but relevant question becomes, what Christian’s and what Muslim’s are the subjects under discussion?

According to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, “We hear so often about Muslims as victims of abuse in the West and combatants in the Arab Spring’s fight against tyranny. But, in fact, a wholly different kind of war is underway, an unrecognized battle costing thousands of lives. Christians are being killed in the Islamic world because of their religion. It is a rising genocide that ought to provoke global alarm.”

In view of this statement, are we to conclude that all Christian’s, and all Muslim’s are engaged in this global “religious war” enterprise?

Of the two billion plus Christians in the world, approximately half is Catholic and the remaining half is Protestant.  Of these one billion plus Catholics in the world, approximately one third is in the “Eastern Oriental” communion, popularly referred to as Orthodox Christians.  On the other hand, there are a plethora of Protestant Christian denominations in the world, comprising the other billion plus Christians.  Concomitantly, the world of Islam is comprised of manifold “denominations” or “sects” such as, Sunni, Shiite, Salafi, Wahabi, Ahmadiyya, Alawite, Hanafi among others.

Since both the Christian and Muslim communities have their respective diversity and internal dynamic and it is difficult to envisage a religious war between a Christian monolith and a Muslim monolith, we will examine the matter in greater dept to help generate context and perspective, going forward.  With this objective in mind let us explore the contradictions and paradoxes associated with the religions of Abraham, Christianity and Islam. Individually, these two purported mutually exclusive religions speak of peace profoundly in their popular narratives, yet each genesis is historically based in war, military exploits, and conquests.

The birth of Jesus Christ the “prince of peace,” represents the advent of Christianity which occurred in the first century of the Common Era.  Subsequently, communities of Christians proliferated in the eastern oriental region including the “Middle East,” “Northeast Africa” and the “Near East” for three centuries.  During the fourth century Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, following his victory in the battle to unify the provinces that constituted ancient Rome.

Constantine attributed the military victory to his vision of the resurrected Jesus Christ that he received during his battle with competing provincial Roman armies. The Emperor subsequently converted to the Christian faith.  Following his decisive military victory he convened a meeting of all Christian bishops of the world in 325 AD, known in history as the Council of Nicaea. The objective of the Council was to consolidate world Christianity under the umbrella and domination of the Roman Empire.  Bishops that didn’t acquiesce to the domination of Rome and the infallibility of the Papacy were branded heretical and excluded from future Councils.

Hence forth, the advancement of Christianity became the subtext of many wars and military adventures of the Roman Empire in the framework of its “western” and “eastern” headquarters.  From 325 AD to the seventeenth century the Roman Catholic Church enjoyed a leadership monopoly over the Christian world. The Roman Catholic Church maintained its monopoly over the faith for more than thirteen hundred (1300) years, until the Protestant Reformation.  In this context, the religious, economic, political and military footprint of the Roman Empire and Catholic Church impacted the known world in a profound way.

The religion of Islam was founded by the prophet Muhammad in the seventh century, approximately four hundred (400) years following the beginning of Roman domination of the faith, and during a high point of Rome’s influence on the known world.  The domination that Rome enjoyed in the world of Christianity and the imperial imperatives of empire were felt in Arabia during the time of Muhammad. Therefore, the advent of Islam had a direct relationship with the imposition of Roman cultural and religious imperialism in the region.

In the wake of Islam’s advent, the Roman Empire and its “Catholicism” suffered military defeats in the Middle East, Rome lost control of the Holy Land and Jerusalem, and the Muslim military conquests advanced to Spain and threatened other countries of Europe.  In the eighth century of the Common Era, Muslim’s conquered Spain and ruled that country for seven hundred (700) years, until 1492.  During this seven hundred year history of Muslim rule, the “Jews” and “Christians” of Spain lived in peace.  Interestingly enough, Jewish scholars and theologians reference the period of Muslim rule in Spain as the “golden age” of Jewry.  

When Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand and the Catholic Church regained control of Spain in 1492, they expelled the “Jews” from Spain in conjunction with a Papal decree.  The year 1492 is on the other hand is noteworthy, as it also marks the “discovery” of the “new world” by Columbus, whose journey was authorized by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, with the added value of a Papal decree to exercise the “doctrine of discovery.”

Needless to say, a military and conquest imperative was congenital with the birth of Islam as per the facts on the ground during the life of Muhammad.  In addition, Emperor Constantine’s Roman Catholicism was conceived as a victorious military juggernaut that facilitated the vanquishing of his enemies in battle.  It is interesting to observe that Constantine’s Catholicism is based on a revisionist rendition of Christian history, that the Emperor authorized following the Council.  However, the Eastern Orthodox Catholic communion and branch of churches existed for three hundred (300) years, prior to the Emperor’s conversion, and subsequent domination of the faith.

The current flames associated with the adversarial juxtaposition that animates the religions of Abraham, are being stoked by geopolitics from the “West,” as well from the “East” and also includes divergent political and economic interests originating from various competing quarters.  Unfortunately, the conventional definition and application of “religious tolerance” as an impetus for peace and interreligious dialogue has a dubious record at best of fostering respect across religious lines.   Additionally, “religious tolerance” has achieved little in generating a disposition of non-belligerence.

Apart from the various eschatological “final judgment” prophetic scenarios that portend to purge the planet earth of profound evil going forward, those of us who are called must take affirmative action, in terms of the first person singular and play our respective roles…  Perhaps the popular conversation should include the notion of religious “appreciation” as the logical progression from religious “tolerance” which has over the centuries proven inadequate to positively impact the base-line of our human nature.

The application of “appreciation” embodies humility, respect, cordiality and an atmosphere of mutual coexistence, while contemptuousness, animosity and invidious treatment may accompany toleration of others.  Appreciation of other religions does not suggest or require agreement, but the quality of appreciation is entirely consistent with the precepts of the religions of Abraham, in particular, and religion in general. In this context the objective of “ecumenical culture” is a befitting trajectory for the religions of Abraham going forward.  Therefore, let the conversation commence…

On the other hand, we can continue to permit the Cain and Able dynamic to eclipse our better judgment as brothers and sisters.  Whether we reference the son of Abraham as Isaac, or Ishmael, we will continue to ascribe to the destruction of our human family which is the antithesis of our Father’s injunctions…  Perhaps the heirs of Isaac and Ishmael will also review and improve their respective internal dynamic, just in case the Apocalyptic and Armageddon prognosticator’s are on to something…

The author, Gary James is a protégé of the late H.E. Dejazmatch Amaha Zion Abera Kassa, a “Middle East” and “Near East” regional expert.

"Gov. John deJongh"

The latest revelations of political and financial corruption in the Government of the Virgin Islands may signal an endgame scenario for Governor John P. deJongh’s administration, as well as the prevailing majority in the territory’s legislature.  This stunning and unbelievable proposition concerning the immanent political dislocation of the executive and legislative branches of government is brought about by an investigative report published on February 1, 2012 in the Internet newspaper, www.dailycaller.com .

The comprehensive investigative report alleges that Governor deJongh, Attorney General Vincent Frazer, and several members of the 29^th legislature received more than 20 million dollars in bribes for services to be rendered.  Accordingly, the report indicates that there is currently a sealed federal indictment from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) that is in the process of being executed on all parties concerned.

The two year old DailyCaller website media company is a member of the White House Press Corp, and has gained a reputation of breaking controversial news, and maintaining integrity in its journalism.  Should the report prove to be factual, it will facilitate a coffin for the political demise of Governor deJongh, Attorney General Vincent Frazer, in addition to several members of the 29^th Virgin Islands legislature.

According to the DailyCaller report, “The alleged corruption ultimately reached the rarefied air of the Virgin Islands’ current governor, Democrat John dejongh.  The DC’s source alleges that collectively, dejongh, Attorney General Vincent Frazer, and assorted Virgin Islands legislators accepted more than $20 million in cash bribes to quash local concern about CFC’s financial irregularities.”

“That money” the source said, “was meant to insure against the possibility that concern about federal crimes at CFC would not spring from the Virgin Islands and spread to the nationwide public.  CFC needed dejongh to make sure that the PSC not only approved the sale, but would, God willing, allow enough cash flow to come through to help them support the [$525 million] valuation that they put on this loan.”

Revelations about the sealed indictment that names dejongh, Frazer and several members of the Virgin Islands legislature, comes on the heels of the end of refinery activities by Hess, Et Al, on the island of St. Croix, and the dismissal of more than two thousand plus employees to the unemployment rolls.  The transition of Hess from refinery activities to a storage facility coupled with the termination of 2000 government employee’s, effectively brings the growth of a middle class to an abrupt halt in the Virgin Islands.

The news relative to the end of refinery activities on the “big island” was viewed by many as the straw that broke the camels back, as it occurred in the wake of the legislative and Election Board fiasco concerning the eligibility of Senator Alicia Hansen to remain in the senate, the Inspector General audit report on the Legislature of the Virgin Islands highlighting 6.9 million dollars in unaccounted funds, eight percent cut from government employees, the dismissals and pending dismissal of thousands of government workers.

These developments among others confirmed the extent of political corruption in the legislature and executive branches, which became the impetus of a recall petition against six (6) members of the St. Croix Board of Election.  The recall petition process quickly expanded to include the recalling of five (5) Election Board members from St. Thomas, and a recall petition “movement” seems to be emerging further, as the governor and legislature members are also under consideration for the recall petition process.

Consequently, when the news broke on Wednesday February 1, on the popular radio talk show, “Norma in the morning” as Mr.

"AG Vincent Frazer"

“Recon” Olive read the story in the DailyCaller website based national newspaper the listening public was already positioned and prepared to react to the governor’s reckless, if not illegal behavior.  Many reflected back to the report delivered on the previous month by the same investigative reporter, “Recon.” It was on the morning of Monday January 9, when listeners to the same radio program heard “Recon” report that he processed seven (7) photos of the governor’s rendezvous with his thirty-five (35) year old paramour in a dark and secluded spot behind the gymnasium on the UVI campus, and remained there for more than an hour.

Together with the generally negative reaction by Virgin Islands residence to Governor deJongh’s “State of the Territory” address offered on January 30, 2012, this revelation concerning the reported federal indictment, there seems to be an increasing groundswell against the governor that may reach critical mass.

Gary James, a resident of St. Croix observed, “If the Governor, Attorney General and several members of the legislature are in fact served with federal indictments, they must immediately resign their respective offices or be removed…  The Federal Government in that instance will need to take the Virgin Islands government into some kind of receivership and facilitate the election of 2012.”

James continued, “I’m not particularly sanguine about the exigency of the feds in executing the indictments in view of the fact that member’s of the US Department of Justice team in this matter were reportedly bribed or compromised as well, casting a dubious shadow over the justice department of Attorney General Eric Holder, going forward.”

“However,” James concluded, “this unfolding scenario is a major criminal conspiracy with far reaching aspects, engaged in a sophisticated and complex sequence of events over time.  Therefore, the scope and organization of this reported criminal enterprise has violated the RICO federal statues which may cause the matter to be dispatched forthwith…”

Be that as it may, the bottom line will be determined by the extent to which the Virgin Islands community is appropriately organized at the grassroots level by the end of the day.  Hopefully, the recall petitioning process, and the community organizing for the purpose electing in November a new senatorial leadership process, will lead to establishing a community based voter education, and committees to elect, going forward.

The entire article published by the Daily Caller is here:, “Bribery, compromised officials leave indicted financial-crime suspects free from prosecution under Holder’s DOJ,”

We explore great, profound and enduring myths that helped to formulate and maintain how things are defined and operate in this universe of phenomena.  In this earthy world material world of phenomena ideas and concepts have been formulated and crystallized that which constitutes the way we see the universe, and world, and the range of human events that occur in world every minute of each day, from time immemorial. In this context science, religion, the king and the military have in the past, and continue to play a dynamic role in determining the practical, economic, social, political and educational objective facts on the earthy ground under which we live.  A great and historical example of the dynamic between the competing juggernauts that determine our quality of life, vis-à-vis, science and religion, was the juxtaposition and ultimate clash concerning whether the universe revolved around planet earth, or if the earth and planets revolved around the sun.  This titanic historical clash that pitted the scientifically based Copernican view relative to the orbital precession of the earth and other planets; against the traditional and severely enforced view held by the Papacy and Roman Catholic Church, that all the celestial bodies revolved around the earth.

The historical record of the ongoing dynamic between science and religion is colorful and controversial and in relation with the other two juggernauts of human affairs and development, in the context of the king and military, the ultimate fate of humanity remains dubious.  There are many examples of the historical dynamic among and between these self proclaimed hierarchical masters of the destiny of all humanity, represents a colorful and rich field of research concerning the human condition. We examine and explore this human heritage going forward, along with other myths that continue to impact how, education, economics, politics, social development and world affairs are conducted on the planet.  Accordingly, we want to examine perhaps one of the must popular myths operating around the world that we live in today. The fact that the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west is without question the belief of the vast majority of people in the world today.  However, this is not a fact it is an optical illusion that is accepted the world over by official and popular acclamation.  This great and enduring information and tradition, has been the foundation of great institutions, kingdoms and empires etc, has been based on the erroneous idea that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.  “Well than,” one might ask, “from where does the sun rise and in what direction does it set?” Interesting enough, the correct answer to that perplexing of question is that, the sun never rises or sets. The idea of a rising and setting sun is a complete falsehood, and an optical illusion.  The ubiquitous myth persists because the idea is a crystallized perception based on the acceptance and internalizing misinformation.

In the wake of diminishing political support in recent polls, Rick Perry’s presidential nomination campaign speaks of the 800 pound gorilla in the room.  While it has remained under the political radar until now, Mitt Romney’s faith has always represented an albatross around his neck in some conservative Christian political quarters.  However, the unspoken of, evangelical Christian political inertia, injected into the GOP nomination contest by the reactionary Perry campaign may put Romney’s Mormon faith on center stage.

As reported on the Internet daily news, “The Daily Beast show an operative with close ties to Perry’s campaign engaged in cheerleading against the faith of rival Mitt Romney—and stressing the political importance of” “juxtaposing traditional Christianity to the false god of Mormonism.”

Apart from the Perry campaigns political acts of desperation and frustration associated with his anyone but Romney campaign, some political analyst suggest that the surge in the polls of the Herman Cain campaign may have been the beneficiary of the dissatisfaction that conservative GOP primary voters have with Perry’s apparent political short comings…

On the other hand, these same conservative political activists that constituted the base of the Republican Party’s electorate will be hard pressed to give the final nomination nod to a black America.  Interestingly enough, the final decision associated with the GOP candidate in 2012, may boil down to the so-called “lesser of two evil,” by way of racial discrimination vs. religious discrimination.

Nevertheless, the following is what you may not know about Herman Cain, a seeker of the Republican Party’s nomination of President:

Mr. Herman Cain is not a career politician (in fact he has never held political office). He’s known as a pizza guy, but there’s a lot more to him. He’s also a computer guy, a banker guy, and a rocket scientist guy.

Here’s his bio:

·      Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.

·      Master’s degree in Computer Science.

·      Mathematician for the Navy, where he worked on missile ballistics (making him a rocket scientist).

·      Computer systems analyst for Coca-Cola.

·      VP of Corporate Data Systems and Services for Pillsbury (this is the top of the ladder in the computer world, being in charge of information systems for a major corporation).

All achieved before reaching the age of 35. Since he reached the top of the information systems world, he changed careers!

·      Business Manager. Took charge of Pillsbury’s 400 Burger King Restaurants in the Philadelphia area, which were the company’s poorest performers in the country. Spent the first nine months learning the business from the ground up, cooking hamburger and yes, cleaning toilets. After three years he had turned them into the company’s best performers.

·      Godfather’s Pizza CEO. Was asked by Pillsbury to take charge of their Godfather’s Pizza chain (which was on the verge of bankruptcy). He made it profitable in 14 months.

·      In 1988 he led a buyout of the Godfather’s Pizza chain from Pillsbury. He was now the owner of a restaurant chain. Again he reached the top of the ladder of another industry.

·      He was also chairman of the National Restaurant Association during this time. This is a group that interacts with government on behalf of the restaurant industry, and it gave him political experience from the non-politician side.

Having reached the top of a second industry, he changed careers again!

·      Adviser to the Federal Reserve System. Herman Cain went to work for the Federal Reserve Banking System advising them on how monetary policy changes would affect American businesses.

·      Chairman of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank. He worked his way up to the chairmanship of a regional Federal Reserve Bank. This is only one step below the chairmanship of the entire Federal Reserve System (the top banking position in the country). This position allowed him to see how monetary policy is made from the inside, and understand the political forces that impact the monetary system.

After reaching the top of the banking industry, he changed careers for a fourth time!

·      Writer and public speaker. He then started to write and speak on leadership. His books include Speak as a Leader, CEO of Self, Leadership is Common Sense, and They Think You’re Stupid.

·      Radio Host. Around 2007—after a remarkable 40 year career—he started hosting a radio show on WSB in Atlanta (the largest talk radio station in the country).

He did all this starting from rock bottom (his father was a chauffeur and his mother was a maid). When you add up his accomplishments in his life—including reaching the top of three unrelated industries: information systems, business management, and banking— Herman Cain may have the most impressive resume of anyone that has run for the presidency in the last half century.

With the advent of Rick Perry, the Governor of Texas, into the Grand Old Party (GOP) presidential sweepstakes, the nomination process is apparently boiling down into a two man race.  Interestingly enough, Perry, an evangelical conservative Republican and darling of the “Tea Party, was a member of the Democratic Party two decades ago.

According to Gary James, a longtime GOP grassroots activist, and political analyst says, “The objective of the neo-Republican Party for 2012 is to minimize the prospects of a Romney presidential candidacy.”

Alton Chase of Harlemweekly.com interviews Gary James to get his perspective on Republican Party Presidential politics, and the black American community…

How are black Republicans positioned for Presidential election 2012, and who are you supporting? And when did you become a Republican?

Well, the short answer is that black Republicans are not positioned to be consequential in the GOP presidential nomination process of 2012.  And I am not supporting or endorsing any of the hopeful designees for president…  Also I’ve been a registered Republican all of my adult life.  However, I could give you the long answer as well, but I don’t know the amount of space you have for this project!

It’s entirely up to you Brother James. I’m prepared to record what you have to say, and use as much of the material as necessary to represent your political position in one piece, or as a series of interview treatments and articles.  As far as I’m concerned any limitations on you, are self imposed…

In that case my friend, I’ll elaborate on the short version.  Dating back to the passing of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Actsrespectively, in the mid 1960’s, many Democrats particularly in the southern states, who objected to the new role of black Americans in electoral politics and civil society, migrated to the Republican Party.  To paraphrase President Johnson, the success of the civil rights movement lost the Democratic south to the Republican Party.

Consequently, the GOP presidential politics going forward from 1968 was presented with the opportunity, to seize upon political misfortunes of the Democratic Party and they formulated what is now known as the “southern strategy.”  President Richard Nixon coined the political phrase, and the rest is history.  Forty (40) plus years hence the “southern strategy” remains the cornerstone of Republican Party presidential election politics, and it has trickled down to local politics.  In addition, the success of the social-conservative movement which constitutes the “right-wing” of the Republican Party has established itself as the base of the GOP.  Also, the emergence of the “Tea Party” phenomenon has imposed political ideas, ideology and notions that represent a seriously diminished, constricted and polarized constituency that currently dominates the party.

Since the 1968 presidential election to the current state of political affairs in national electoral politics, the black vote and endorsements by blacks of GOP presidential hopefuls is none existent.  The Tea Party and social-conservative voters currently dominate Republican Party politics in general and constitute primary election voters in particular, where the real political power resides.

As a consequence of the political state of affairs in the contemporary Grand Old Party, (GOP), the role of black Republican voters in the presidential nomination sweepstakes is inconsequential and shunned in most instances.  As a political matter of fact, a strong relationship of a GOP presidential candidate with the black community can hurt their opportunity for success. An example that comes to mind was the failed attempt of Congressman Jack Kemp to get the presidential nod because of his close ties to the black community. But also, to be fair I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that all of the Democratic Party’s presidential candidates, (black & white), must demonstrate that they “know how to deal with the black community.”

Mr. James I am looking at an interview of you that was published in the July 4, 1984 edition of the New York Tribune entitled “GOP Leader Examines the Road Ahead”.  In it you stated and I’m paraphrasing: A vote for the re-election of President Reagan is the best destination for the black vote.  Do you currently believe that the best destination for the black vote in election 2012 is the Republican Party?

I don’t have any problem answering that shrouded question! First of all let me offer a context for the twenty-five (25) plus years that separates the question of the 1984 re-election of President Reagan versus the 2012 presidential election and who knows who will ultimately be the Republican Party designee.

The GOP was a completely different party relative to the black community during the political era surrounding President Reagan.  There was a different political sensibility during that period toward the black vote and the Republican National Committee (RNC), under the leadership of the late Lee Atwater and Governor Haley Barbour, exemplified and implemented the Reagan “big tent” political philosophy.  That’s just for starters…

Secondly, In April of 1984 I received a letter from the Reagan-Bush re-election campaign, over the signature of Roger Stone, the northeastern regional director of the re-election campaign indicating specifically that the “White House” wanted my organization, Voters Anonymous, to be involved in the New York State re-election campaign.  Therefore, as a good citizen, I responded positively to the White House’ request for us to participate in the campaign.  In addition it was my belief at that time that the GOP was the best destination for the black vote.  Excerpts of the letter can be accessed from the profile page of VotersAnonymous.com

I have not received contact from any of the 2012 Republican Party presidential aspirants to participate in their nomination campaign.  Moreover, the political nature of the GOP has significantly shifted since the Reagan era, and that political shift is inimical to growing the Republican Party in the black community. The thrust of the Tea Party and social-conservatives political agenda and ideology has constringed the party from the Reagan “big tent” political philosophy.  President Reagan was one of the noteworthy Republicans interested in reaching out to the black American community.

Unfortunately, the emerging presence of the black vote in Republican Party politics during Reagan’s time was circumvented during the campaign and presidency of George H. W. Bush and that is a whole other story.  Subsequently, the Republican Party underwent a kind of “political revisionism” that repositioned the GOP from its historically radical, eclectic and progressive party, to a politically constricted and socially conservative party, isolated from the average person and the emerging mainstream of America, as well as black folks.

As to whether I still believe that the Republican Party is the best destination for the black vote in 2012…  I still believe that the GOP is the best destination for the black vote in the long term, and not necessarily in 2012.  But there are certain political conditions involved, that have more to do with black folk, then the party … Black folk for the most part have been politically conditioned to one party politics, which is sophomoric.  Monolithic, politics or one party politics cannot generate the requisite political leverage to achieve black political empowerment.  Unfortunately at this point it seems that black folk have an emotional connection to the Democratic Party, as the GOP has been successfully positioned as the enemy of the black community.

How long have you been a registered Republican? And why did you register with the Republican Party?

I registered to vote for the first time way back in 1967.  At that time I was a staff organizer for the National Welfare RightsOrganization (NWRO), in New York City.  NWRO was among several of the well known professional civil rights organizations.  You may recall that the primary political objective of the civil rights movement during the early days was to infiltrate the Democratic Party particularly in the southern states and beat back Jim Crow and segregation from the inside.  During that time the Democratic Party in the south in particular was synonymous with racism, and the KKK.  The political strategy of the movement was to change the party from within, by way of voter registration and voter application in order to infiltrate the local Democratic Party.  The strategic infiltration was successful and that process essentially broke the back of segregation and Jim Crow in the context of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts respectively.

Interestingly enough, subsequent to the profound political successes of the black American civil rights movement, a pervasive self-interest impulse developed by many blacks for holding elective office.  The evolving personal political power and leadership dynamic overshadowed the larger black American political empowerment agenda, which included a similar political infiltration of the Republican Party. In addition, the black political movement was truncated by sophisticated and odious political machinations, the loss of financial underwriters.

Political power, by way of election to local public office, became the preoccupation of the black civil rights leadership along with the institutionalization of the civil rights leadership orthodoxy, and a rejection of the so-called politically militant point of view.  At the grassroots level the largess provided to particular civil rights leaders (elected and unelected) facilitated the conquest of “responsible” Negro leadership over the more radical and militant black power political movement.  The political validation of the black civil rights “responsible” leadership sealed the fate of “black power” and its range of organic black grassroots political advocates.

The civil rights leadership paradigm became the operative political model for black folk going forward.  Hence, if you were a black political aspirant seeking elective office, you needed to kiss the ring of the black political gatekeepers.  Subsequently, civil rights and the “responsible” black political leadership became connected if not synonymous with the Democratic Party.   Over the past four decades the black community has apparently developed an emotional and intergenerational relationship with the Democratic Party.   The Democratic Party continues to have black political leadership on lockdown, and the Republican Party has replaced the Dixie-crats as the new political enemy of the black community.

As the black community infiltrated the Democratic Party and broke the back of segregation and Jim Crow, they both (segregation and Jim Crow) migrated to the Republican Party and positioned the GOP as the social-conservative rightwing party, where they currently reside.  In the process they have revised the political history of the Republican Party, and have positioned the “founding fathers” and the Constitution of the United States as infallible. However, both the “founding fathers” and the Constitution of the United States continue to be plagued by the birth defect of slavery.

In terms of why I joined the Republican Party and remain registered in the Grand Old Party (GOP) let me address it this way.  On one hand I have a natural affinity to the history of the Republican Party as it relates to the emancipation of black Americans from slavery and a tradition of radical, eclectic progressive politics.  The Republican Party was founded by Abolitionists, who were progressive black and white people.

In addition, I believe that black power politics in the twenty-first century requires a new grassroots political and electoral synthesis.  Specifically, an electoral strategy that is bi-partisan in the general election and maximum feasible voter participation in the primary election of both political parties.  Nevertheless, I recognize that on the other hand, there are different fingers…

Apart from your colorful experience as a grassroots organizer in the civil rights and black power movements of the 1960’s and 1970’s, when and how did you get involved in Republican Party electoral politics?   And how were you able to get into the political orbit of President Ronald Reagan, to participate in his re-election campaign?

I worked with a few Democratic and Republican district leaders during their petitioning process in the late 1960’s and mid 70’s.  But it was in the 1980 presidential election when my organization Voters Anonymous organized a presidential debate scheduled for Fordham University in the Bronx, New York, between Vice President Walter Mondale and Gov. Ronald Reagan.  The debate ultimately did not happen, but the Reagan campaign liked the idea and our political narrative therefore they kept the event scheduled until the eleventh hour, and it was mentioned in the local press.  In addition, there were some political machinations against us in the form of some downfield political interference, engaged in by a few “official” black Republican district leaders in New York City that we handled very well.  Our comportment displayed dignity, grace and political skill. Hence we were able to generate some political capital in the Reagan White House in 1980.

Also, in 1985 I had my formal baptism in local Republican Party electoral politics when the NYS Senator Leon Bogues passed away and a Special Election was held in order to fill his vacant Senate seat.  I managed the campaign of a young Harlem Attorney and Harvard Graduate, Mr. Joseph Holland to fill his vacant seat.  Holland’s Democratic opponent was Mr. David Paterson, who won the race and served as the State Senator from Harlem for many years, and the rest is history as Paterson later became the Governor of New York, following the resignation of Governor Eliot Spitzer.  Following his failed election Mr. Holland was appointed General Council of the Senate Housing and Community Development Committee, chaired by New York State Senator, John Daley.

During the campaign, the candidate Holland, and yours truly made a strong impression on the late NYS Senate Majority Leader, the Honorable Warren Anderson.  The Majority Leader authorized two (2) of his staff people, Tom Slater and Steve Rice to work with our campaign.  Following the election the Majority Leaders staff introduced me to the Chairman of the New York Republican Party State Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Anthony Colavita.  Subsequently, the Executive Director of the Republican Party State Committee, Edward Lurie, invited me to prepare a document designed to recruit black Americans into the party.  Under that auspices I prepared a document entitled, “NYS Black Republican Taskforce.”

In 1986, I was tapped by Mr. Ed Lurie of the New York State Committee to be the State Coordinator for the GOP Gubernatorial candidate, Supreme Court Justice Andrew O’Rourke.  And in 1988 I was appointed by the late Congressman Jack Kemp to represent him as a Harlem delegate in his bid for the party’s presidential nomination.

Going forward, how do you see the prospects for the Republican Party in the 2012 presidential election?  Do you believe that your political party has an opportunity to win?

Well, the GOP definitely has an opportunity to win the presidency in 2012.  The opportunity is without question.  However, based on my assessment of the current state of affairs and political trajectory of the party, I don’t believe that a classic political victory is in the cards in 2012.  I believe that the 2012 presidential election will begin a rude awakening for the national as well as the local Republican Party in some communities.

The local party, particularly in the northeast, has already seriously compromised their competitive political potential decades ago.  Therefore, it was just a matter of time before the national party would fall victim to the constraints associated with a myopic and revisionist political vision, lack of imagination and the lack of a viable district leader infrastructure, particularly in New York City.

Heretofore, the national party by virtue of their skillful and sophisticated manipulation of the electoral process by way of big money, political slight-of-hand, emotional and race based wedge issues, has successfully been able to overcome their substantial numerical disadvantage.  Consequently, the Republican Party has won the presidency more than the Democratic Party since the end of World War II.

My political assessment going forward is that GOP prospects for local offices and the presidency are poor for the short term, but fortunes get increasingly better in the long-range.  I believe that the binary political approach of the “Tea Party movement” and the social-conservative wing of the party will run its course and be resoundingly defeated in the 2012 election and in local elections going forward.

Concomitantly, the new demographic and emerging eclectic mainstream of the evolving twenty-first century Republican Party will reposition the party in the context of its historical political advantages.  More specifically, race based political paradigms, juxtapositions and wedge issues will no longer be the 800 pound gorilla in the room.

Mr. James, I am informed that you are the chairman of the “National Black Grand Old Party.” Are you and your organization going to endorse and or support the ultimate Republican nominee?

Thank you for that question.  That is a very good question…  I personally will not commit to voting for the ultimate Republican Party presidential nominee, as a practical political matter.  It is possible that I may vote for the party nominee at the end of the day.  However, if I were to answer that question today I would say no…

In terms of the National Black Grand Old Party (NBGOP), the organization is a political education organization and does not do endorsements.  However, the directors and members of the organization are free to follow their own political instincts.  As we speak, there are a range of points of view about different GOP candidates declared and undeclared.

The main objective of the organization at this critical political juncture in American politics is voter education and application particularly as it relates to the black community.  We believe that the community remains preoccupied if not stuck on political activism 101.  Politics 101 is one dimensional monolithic partisan politics and the National Black GOP is promoting Black politics 2.0.  Black politics 2.0, is the twenty-first century political imperative for grassroots community based politics.

What are your thoughts about the current occupant of the White House, President Barack Obama?  Do you think that he will be a one term president?

I think that President Barack Obama is thus far comporting himself very well despite various odious political machinations from various political quarters.  It remains to be seen whether he will be a one term president, but I’m convinced that there are some, particularly within the Republican Party, that are thoroughly devoted to a one term scenario for the President.  Unfortunately both the Democratic and Republican Parties and the black political leadership continue to be engaged in plantation politics…