South African white supremacist demands Afrikaner state
Eugene Terre'Blanche, who fought against the end of apartheid, revives notorious AWB group in push for separate republic
Eugene Terre'Blanche speaks at an Afrikaner Resistance Movement (AWB) gathering in Pretoria in 1999
Eugene Terre'Blanche speaks at an Afrikaner Resistance Movement (AWB) gathering in Pretoria in 1999. Photograph: STR/Associated Press
A notorious white supremacist from South Africa's apartheid era has revealed plans to rally far right groups and apply to the United Nations for a breakaway Afrikaner republic.
Eugene Terre'Blanche was the voice of hardline opposition to the end of white minority rule in the early 90s, but has been in relative obscurity since his release in 2004 after a prison sentence for beating a black man nearly to death.
He said today that he had revived his Afrikaner Resistance Movement (AWB) after several years of inactivity and it would meet with like-minded groups on 10 October to discuss joining forces and pushing for secession from South Africa.
"The circumstances in the country demanded it," he told South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper. "The white man in South Africa is realising that his salvation lies in self-government in territories paid for by his ancestors."
A diplomatic row erupted last month when Brandon Huntley, a white South African, was granted refugee status by Canada after claiming he had been attacked because of his race.
Terre'Blanche said he wanted to organise a referendum for those wanting an independent homeland, where English would be an accepted language along with Afrikaans. "It's now about the right of a nation that wants to separate itself from a unity state filled with crime, death, murder, rape, lies and fraud."
Terre'Blanche said taking up arms was not part of the new far-right plan. "For now there are other options we have to exercise first. We have a strong case to take to the United Nations."
The AWB – whose flag resembles a Nazi swastika – was founded in 1973 with the aim of maintaining white supremacy by any means.
White rightwing activity in South Africa faded after the end of apartheid, helped in part by Terre'Blanche's imprisonment in 2001 for the attempted murder of a security guard and assault on a petrol attendant in 1997.
Political analysts say white extremists have little support, but more than 21 members of the shadowy Boeremag (Boer Force) remain on trial for treason after being arrested in 2001 and accused of a bombing campaign aimed at overthrowing the government.
Before South Africa's first all-race elections in 1994, the AWB deployed thousands of armed white rightists in Bophuthatswana, a puppet black "homeland" under apartheid, in an abortive attempt to prevent the overthrow of its president. The AWB was humiliated and forced to pull out.
In 1998, Terre'Blanche accepted "political and moral responsibility" before South Africa's truth and reconciliation commission for a bombing campaign to disrupt the 1994 elections in which 21 people were killed and hundreds injured.
Jacob Zuma, who took office as president in May, has courted Afrikaners at a series of meetings this year, assuring them they have nothing to fear from his government.
The African National Congress said it was unconcerned by Terre'Blanche's plans. "It's singing an old song that will not work," said Ishmael Mnisi, a spokesman. "There is no way we are going back to the era of apartheid where particular ethnic groups declare their own independence.
"South Africa is a democratic country. People have a right to raise issues as long as they're within the constitution."
Allister Sparks, a journalist and political analyst, said: "Eugene Terre'Blanche is a discredited figure who has spent time in prison. There will probably always be a small number of rightwing sympathisers, but the ANC has taken a benign attitude.
MediaTakeOut.com 2009• Dental Plaque Buildup May Raise Heart Risk in Black Men
FRIDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Black males may be at increased risk for heart problems caused by accumulation of dental plaque, a U.S. study finds.
Indiana University School of Dentistry researchers studied 128 black and white women and men and found that a buildup of dental plaque didn't cause a change in total white blood cell count, a known risk factor for heart problems. However, dental plaque accumulation in black males was associated with a significant increase in the activity of white blood cells called neutrophils, an important part of the immune system, the researchers noted.
None of the study participants had periodontal (gum) disease. They were healthy people who were asked to neglect their oral hygiene as part of the study, the study authors explained.
"We are talking about healthy people who simply neglect oral hygiene and if they were male and black, we found a response from their white blood cells, or neutrophils, that might be a cause for concern," study leader Michael Kowolik, a professor of periodontics and associate dean for graduate education at the school of dentistry, said in a university news release.
"If you get a bacterial infection anywhere in the body, billions of neutrophils come flooding out of your bone marrow to defend against the intruder. Our observation that with poor dental hygiene, white blood cell activity increased in black men but not black women or whites of either sex suggests both gender and racial differences in the inflammatory response to dental plaque. This finding could help us identify individuals at greater risk for infections anywhere in the body including those affecting the heart," Kowolik said.
An elevated white blood cell count is one of the major risks for heart attack, previous research has found.
"While we did not observe higher white blood cell counts as the result of dental plaque accumulation, the increased activity of white blood cells, which we did find, may also carry a higher risk for heart disease," Kowolik said.
The study was published in the August issue of the Journal of Dental Research.
More information
The American Academy of Periodontology has more about gum disease and general health.
Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Update 10/3/09 11:28am (eastern): Police have arrested Fredrick Richardson as a person of interest and charged him with voluntary manslaughter. Click HERE for the article. Kandi also posted the following on her Twitter page:
I could never in a million years imagine this happening. Please pray for AJ’s children. That’s who I’m the most concerned for. I’m just in one of those moods where I don’t wanna talk, I don’t wanna be held & told it’s gonna be ok. I just wanna cry myself to sleep, alone.
Update 12:03 am (eastern): The AJC is NOW reporting that a brawl did indeed take place but have not released a name.
Update 12:12 am (eastern): WSBTV is NOW confirming the news surrounding AJ’s death. They are saying that he was stabbed.
I just received word that AJ, who was Kandi’s (RHOA) finance, was beat to death in a brawl at Body Tap Exclusive in Atlanta. My sources state that AJ was a promoter partial owner of the strip club and was hit in the head. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he passed away from his injuries. People who are currently inside the club are texting FROM the club but no additional information is available.
Global Grind - RIP Mr. Magic 
Just saw Miss Info's post, which has a letter from DJ Premier confirming the death of the legendary Mr. Magic, who died today due to a heart attack. Newer Hip-Hop heads might not be up on Mr. Magic, but he's done a lot for getting Hip-Hop on major radio, from back in the day. He was down with Marley Marl back when BDP went at the Juice Crew, got shouted out by Biggie on "Juicy" (and by Nas on "Halftime") and was featured on Vice City's "Wildstyle" station as host. He was even a producer, crafting joints for acts like the Force MDs. Peep this interview with Magic and Mister Cee if you want to know about Hip-Hop.He was a tastemaker, and legions of artists sent in tracks just to get Mr. Magic's approval on air - before payola, before platinum records, before boutique record labels, that radio respect was key, and Mr. Magic was the one who made or broke artists.Hip-Hop has lost another legend.
Click ORIGINAL STORY for more!
Global Grind - Top 50 LATINOS In Hip Hop Levantate!!!They say less is more. I say, it depends in what context you’re speaking. Sometimes I wonder if there are enough Latinos in the Hip Hop genre. But then again, its not the quantity but the quality. Latinos have contributed so many things to the Hip Hop community.
This blog may be slightly biased being that I was slightly raised by Latinos while I was growing up. I lived on 183rd street in Jamaica Queens. There were Columbians, Dominicans and Puerto Ricans who pretty much owned that section of Jamaica at the time. Everything was in Span-glish catering to all the diverse ethnic groups. We had the deli and the bodega, the church and the Iglesia, the banks and the prestamista (loan shark). All though at times it seemed as Latinos had their own thing going on in the neighborhood, everyone seemed to embrace their lifestyle and culture.
Not only have they taken music to the next level with reggaeton but they've also added flair to fashion, sports, broadcasting (radio and tv), music and video production, film, comedy, poetry, and even graffiti. And lets not forget about the food. Who's not a fan of chicken rice and beans for $5?? They pile on the food like there's no tomorrow. And for you ladies, dont forget about the hair salons that kept your hair straight. I see you creeping on Saturday mornings.
All of these contributions have helped Latinos edge their name in stone in Hip Hop culture. In respect to that, I've decided to make a list of the top 50 Latin people who have influenced me in Hip Hop. Please note, I said Hip Hop culture, not just credited Latinos. I know there are much more Latinos who've done great things, but I'm only talking about those who are synonymous with Hip Hop culture. My list is in no specific order and if i forgot anyone prominent, feel free to add your 2 cents. But again, this is my list. Nobody's list is the same.
Willie Esco, Kurios Jorge, Prince PowerRule, Jennifer Lopez, Fat Joe, Big Pun, Cipha Sounds, Angie Martinez, Kid Capri, Bobbito, The Beatnuts (Juju & Psycho Les), Cuban Linx, N.O.R.E, Alain Ket Mariduena, Tats Cru, Chino XL, Pitbull, Play N Skillz, Cypress Hills (Sen Dog, B-Real, E Bobo), Mellow Man Ace, Kid Frost, Prince Markie Dee, DJ Disco Wiz, Mimi Valdes, Jasmin Franjul, Daddy Yankee, Latin Rascals (Albert Cabrera & Tony Moran), Roxy, Juelz Santana, Hurricane Gloria, Jesse Terrero, John Leguizamo, Lemon (poet), Tru Life, Crazy legs (Rock Steady Crew), Tony Touch, Ken Swift, Domingo, Marc Anthony, Masters At Work (Little Louie Vega & Kenny "Dope" Gonzales), Lisa Lisa, Sal Abbatiello, Mr. Cartoon, Paul Rodriguez
Honorable Mentions: El Malecon, Pio Pio, 1018, Soundfactory, Hearthrobs, L'Amour East, Paleds, Jimmy Cafe, Copa, Floridita, Cafe Con Leche, El Rey de la Caridad, Mamajuana Cafe.
Cojelo suave!
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Rasheed Young
