Of course not!
But, if you listen to so-called religious leaders in the media He or She is. Why would God condone the killing of 26 innocent people? Faith or no faith it shouldn't make sense. And it sure does not to me.
I once met a born again, Christian who was formerly a Satan worshiper. He still had tattoos that proved his once diabolical faith. He was a former drug addict who was in recovery and was had to change in order to survive. I was his case manager at the time. When we had our initial one on one, I asked him why he had chose to Worship the Devil. His response will be with me the rest of my life.
He told me that when he was 17 he had gotten a girl pregnant. Soon after his infant son was born, the child passed away. He was told by someone from the clergy, that it 'Was God's Will that his son died.' He then told me if God killed his son, then God was now his enemy.
What startled me at the time, due to my strong faith in Christianity, that it made perfect sense. These foolish people who keep repeating the nonsense, that God's will allows for the murder of innocents for some divine purpose ,are more a deterrent, than a path to God.
If I were on the Empire State Building and jumped, I would be pretty stupid saying, "God see what you did!" What's even more ridiculous is if I start to pray for God to save me once I jumped. Unless there is something only I can do for Him or Her, I will be splattered all over the pavement.
WHY CAN'T THE CLERGY GIVE MORE PRACTICAL AND COMMON SENSE CONSOLATION?
It was a physical condition that killed that former Satan worshiper's baby. It was "Crib Death" (SIDS) that took that child's life, not God. It was being human and mortal and living in a world where there are a thousand ways to die, not God's will. So why not just say something like the what happened, or better yet, be real honest and say "I DON'T KNOW"?
This is what I believe. Prayer does work. It may not change the situation, but it can change my attitude, it can bring comfort. I can question and ask that I receive an answer, if not now, one day. I can pray for something be done to prevent bad things from happening to good people. I can pray for the necessary action to take to make sure it can be prevented. I can pray for family and friends to comfort me, I can be there for those who survived.
"FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD"
I believe that God's will, is for all mankind, to cooperate with each other, so that we can live in peace.
That all reasonable people band together against the unreasonable. That He or She would not want mentally ill people or criminals to get guns without a background check.
Believe me, I am not religious, I am spiritual, and only because I have a condition that warrants it.
BUT IF I HEAR ONE MORE CLERGY SAY , IT'S GOD'S WILL THAT 26 PEOPLE, 20 OF THEM IN KINDERGARTEN, BE MURDERED AND I SHOULD ACCEPT THAT, I WILL GOOGLE THE AMERICAN ATHEIST SOCIETY AND PERHAPS REQUEST AN APPLICATION.
I won't believe in a God that kills babies because He or She can. I just won't.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
"WE THE PEOPLE" HAVE CHANGED!
"WE THE PEOPLE" Those are some powerful words. No matter what the makeup is in this country, WE THE PEOPLE have the final say who leads. We are a diverse people. For the first time in my life I see the beginning of the end of RACISM, SEXISM, and INEQUALITY. WE THE PEOPLE no longer represents White males who own property. We the people are anyone who cast a ballot.
When Sen. Mitch McConnell stated what the priority of the Republican party was, I heard the dog whistle loud and clear. He represented White people who are afraid of diversity in this country. The fear that one day, the White race would no longer be the majority voting race. They would no longer be the shot callers.
How did they not see this coming? You take over a country full of Brown & Red people, you import Black and Yellow people as slaves, (that's right, California has always been different, when everybody else had African Slaves, California got theirs from China), and treat them like shit as well. Oh yeah your women were second class citizens also.
This is not a indictment of the past. It was what it was. But since 1865 a change began with the Emancipation Proclamation. People other than White male property owners were eventually given the right to vote. In 1964 with the passing of the Equal Rights laws, they insured this day would come.
I have heard scuttle butt about a race war, even Donald Dumb Ass Trump seemed to call for a revolution. You see, idiots like him don't see the beauty and the blessing we have with the power of the vote.
We have the ballot so we don't need bullets.
I give credit where credit is due. If it weren't for many of those White Male property owners, I and other non-white citizens and women would not be enjoying the freedoms we share today. They forged this change with the American Civil War.
Yes WE THE PEOPLE are changing, but that doesn't mean for the worst. I am an American of African decent. But an American none the less. I want this nation to remain the greatest nation on this planet for centuries to come. Just because non white numbers, and the changed identity of women have made it possible, that White males may never dominate again. It doesn't mean the destruction of America, it means America is evolving into a greater nation ,that will inspire the world to do the same.
There is no greater word in civilization than "COOPERATION!!!!"
How else do you think mankind made it to the 21 Century?
When Sen. Mitch McConnell stated what the priority of the Republican party was, I heard the dog whistle loud and clear. He represented White people who are afraid of diversity in this country. The fear that one day, the White race would no longer be the majority voting race. They would no longer be the shot callers.
How did they not see this coming? You take over a country full of Brown & Red people, you import Black and Yellow people as slaves, (that's right, California has always been different, when everybody else had African Slaves, California got theirs from China), and treat them like shit as well. Oh yeah your women were second class citizens also.
This is not a indictment of the past. It was what it was. But since 1865 a change began with the Emancipation Proclamation. People other than White male property owners were eventually given the right to vote. In 1964 with the passing of the Equal Rights laws, they insured this day would come.
I have heard scuttle butt about a race war, even Donald Dumb Ass Trump seemed to call for a revolution. You see, idiots like him don't see the beauty and the blessing we have with the power of the vote.
We have the ballot so we don't need bullets.
I give credit where credit is due. If it weren't for many of those White Male property owners, I and other non-white citizens and women would not be enjoying the freedoms we share today. They forged this change with the American Civil War.
Yes WE THE PEOPLE are changing, but that doesn't mean for the worst. I am an American of African decent. But an American none the less. I want this nation to remain the greatest nation on this planet for centuries to come. Just because non white numbers, and the changed identity of women have made it possible, that White males may never dominate again. It doesn't mean the destruction of America, it means America is evolving into a greater nation ,that will inspire the world to do the same.
There is no greater word in civilization than "COOPERATION!!!!"
How else do you think mankind made it to the 21 Century?
Friday, October 19, 2012
S.E. Cupp Queen of the Damn Right Wing Nut Jobs
My Great Grandmother, daughter of an African American slave, was what I considered a social genius. Even though she had a 7th grade education, she would come up with some gems, when it came to social interactions with others. She spoke in a deep "Old Style African American Southern" dialect . Which made memories of some of our conversations so precious. One of the things I use today, she taught me was how weed out a person's true feelings about a subject, idea, or person.
She told me one time, in a soft tone just above a whisper, "Boy, if you got a pack of dogs, in the woods, and you throw a stone against the barn door, the one that jumps and yelps, is the one that is ' doing what it ain't oughta [ought to]".
Yesterday I threw a stone against a barn door and a Bitch, (female dog) yelped. It was none other than S.E. Cupp, co-host of MSNBC's The Cycle.
Reading my tweets while watching The Cycle, and getting nauseated by what Ms. Cupp was saying about President Obama, I read a tweet from a person who usually supports me and my disdain, for her subjective nonsense. I noticed that the person I'm talking about was attacked by someone who used the twitter account name @thecyclemsnbc, because of something she said about Cupp. I in turn tweeted my opinion of Ms. Cupp, That she hated Obama, and the reason she hates him is because he is the First Black President. In 140 characters or less.
THEN TO MY AMAZEMENT, I SAW THAT @SECUPP HAD RETWEETED MY COMMENT. TWICE!
I looked on her account to see how many followers she had, and it was more than 16 thousand. I thought to myself, "Oh Shit!" and BOOM! they started coming. The Queen of Right Wing Nut Jobs, had called upon her brood to verbally assault me, and Boy did they. I got about 100 tweets calling every name in the book. The funny thing is that they were not defending S.E., they were mostly attacking both me and Obama in some very choice racist words and terms. One said he would burn a cross in my yard if gas prices wasn't so high. I loved that one. I had to laugh I now admit. But it is not funny!
My point is this, I use twitter, this blog, and other sites in which I can leave a comment as the Stone to throw. The social and internet media, is my barn door. The Stone is made from, agree with me or not, the truth as I see it.
But let's look at it another way. I'm 5'11 and Big Boned, (ok I'm fat) and Black. I would look pretty foolish if someone were to rush in a room, crowed with people which I am also located and yell, "YOU WHITE REDHEADED SKINNY FRECKLED FACE IDIOT", and I jumped and say, "WHY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ME LIKE THAT?" A reasonable person is only going to respond to WHAT IS
TRUE ABOUT THEM.
Face it I'm a nobody. What I say shouldn't matter to a mediocre celebrity. But in the 50 years since my Granny Ronsie, gave me that advise, I can say this with certainty, only the truth makes makes someone jump and yelp like that.
So I will say it again. S.E. Cupp hates that the President of America is Black. She talks less about is policy and mostly about his ATTITUDE. As a former EEOP counselor, that is one of the signs of discrimination in the work place.
She told me one time, in a soft tone just above a whisper, "Boy, if you got a pack of dogs, in the woods, and you throw a stone against the barn door, the one that jumps and yelps, is the one that is ' doing what it ain't oughta [ought to]".
Yesterday I threw a stone against a barn door and a Bitch, (female dog) yelped. It was none other than S.E. Cupp, co-host of MSNBC's The Cycle.
Reading my tweets while watching The Cycle, and getting nauseated by what Ms. Cupp was saying about President Obama, I read a tweet from a person who usually supports me and my disdain, for her subjective nonsense. I noticed that the person I'm talking about was attacked by someone who used the twitter account name @thecyclemsnbc, because of something she said about Cupp. I in turn tweeted my opinion of Ms. Cupp, That she hated Obama, and the reason she hates him is because he is the First Black President. In 140 characters or less.
THEN TO MY AMAZEMENT, I SAW THAT @SECUPP HAD RETWEETED MY COMMENT. TWICE!
I looked on her account to see how many followers she had, and it was more than 16 thousand. I thought to myself, "Oh Shit!" and BOOM! they started coming. The Queen of Right Wing Nut Jobs, had called upon her brood to verbally assault me, and Boy did they. I got about 100 tweets calling every name in the book. The funny thing is that they were not defending S.E., they were mostly attacking both me and Obama in some very choice racist words and terms. One said he would burn a cross in my yard if gas prices wasn't so high. I loved that one. I had to laugh I now admit. But it is not funny!
My point is this, I use twitter, this blog, and other sites in which I can leave a comment as the Stone to throw. The social and internet media, is my barn door. The Stone is made from, agree with me or not, the truth as I see it.
But let's look at it another way. I'm 5'11 and Big Boned, (ok I'm fat) and Black. I would look pretty foolish if someone were to rush in a room, crowed with people which I am also located and yell, "YOU WHITE REDHEADED SKINNY FRECKLED FACE IDIOT", and I jumped and say, "WHY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ME LIKE THAT?" A reasonable person is only going to respond to WHAT IS
TRUE ABOUT THEM.
Face it I'm a nobody. What I say shouldn't matter to a mediocre celebrity. But in the 50 years since my Granny Ronsie, gave me that advise, I can say this with certainty, only the truth makes makes someone jump and yelp like that.
So I will say it again. S.E. Cupp hates that the President of America is Black. She talks less about is policy and mostly about his ATTITUDE. As a former EEOP counselor, that is one of the signs of discrimination in the work place.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The GOP want to stop African Americans from voting:PERIOD
In August of 1939, the Germans and the Soviet Union signed the famous "Non-Aggression Pact". The Nazis had duped the Russians into believing that they only wanted to invade Poland and had no intentions of going to war with them. But in June of 1941 with the Germans "Operation Barbarossa", the Russians found out the Nazis were full of you know what.
What does this have to do with voter suppression and African Americans? The GOP have duped a lot of Blacks into believing that voter ID laws are for protecting against voter fraud by illegal alien Latino voters. They have also duped a lot of independent White voters into believing the same thing.
THE GOP KNOW IF THEY CAN PREVENT 10% OF AFRICAN AMERICANS FROM VOTING ESPECIALLY IN SWING STATES, THAT CAN INCREASE THEIR CHANCES OF DEFEATING OBAMA BY 25%.
To me it should be obvious to all. It started out in 2004, with the GOP calling for voter ID, in all elections, and ended up including the shutting down of all voting traditions used by African American communities in 2010.
The GOP Think Tanks, have concluded they have lost the African American vote perhaps forever. They thought maybe they could counteract Obama by naming, an Uncle Tom like, Micheal Steele, as RNC Chairman. He failed at his task to lure the Black Vote from the Dems, and they kicked him to the curb.
SO SINCE THEY COULD NOT LURE THEIR VOTE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO SUPPRESS IT.
They also knew that they could not just come out and say that their purpose, was to prevent Blacks from voting, not until Mike Turzai spilled the beans. So they hid their true agenda under the guise of preventing illegal alien Latinos, in the hopes Blacks would not come out to challenge the legislation with a massive voter turn out. IT WORKED. Blacks had no idea that they were actually the intended target.
As a middle aged Black man, I use to hear Blacks and Whites use this notion, "If you want a negro to do something, tell them to do the opposite". I know this is offensive to many, but you have to remember 50 years ago, it was politically correct to use such racist crap as fact. Blacks joked about it, racist Whites believed it.
THE PROBLEM FOR THE GOP, IS, THEY BETTER HOPE IT IS JUST A MYTH.
To use another analogy from WWII, they may have wakened a sleeping giant. Since the truth has come out and Blacks are no longer in denial of what the GOP is attempting to do in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio, we are more galvanized than ever to make sure their attempt fails. In Social and Public media Blacks use,
GET OUT THE VOTE IS A GROWING THEME.
Now many more may vote, who did not intend to vote, before the truth came out.
Like my grandma use to say,
"THEY SHOULD HAVE LEFT, WELL ENOUGH, ALONE."
What does this have to do with voter suppression and African Americans? The GOP have duped a lot of Blacks into believing that voter ID laws are for protecting against voter fraud by illegal alien Latino voters. They have also duped a lot of independent White voters into believing the same thing.
THE GOP KNOW IF THEY CAN PREVENT 10% OF AFRICAN AMERICANS FROM VOTING ESPECIALLY IN SWING STATES, THAT CAN INCREASE THEIR CHANCES OF DEFEATING OBAMA BY 25%.
To me it should be obvious to all. It started out in 2004, with the GOP calling for voter ID, in all elections, and ended up including the shutting down of all voting traditions used by African American communities in 2010.
The GOP Think Tanks, have concluded they have lost the African American vote perhaps forever. They thought maybe they could counteract Obama by naming, an Uncle Tom like, Micheal Steele, as RNC Chairman. He failed at his task to lure the Black Vote from the Dems, and they kicked him to the curb.
SO SINCE THEY COULD NOT LURE THEIR VOTE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO SUPPRESS IT.
They also knew that they could not just come out and say that their purpose, was to prevent Blacks from voting, not until Mike Turzai spilled the beans. So they hid their true agenda under the guise of preventing illegal alien Latinos, in the hopes Blacks would not come out to challenge the legislation with a massive voter turn out. IT WORKED. Blacks had no idea that they were actually the intended target.
As a middle aged Black man, I use to hear Blacks and Whites use this notion, "If you want a negro to do something, tell them to do the opposite". I know this is offensive to many, but you have to remember 50 years ago, it was politically correct to use such racist crap as fact. Blacks joked about it, racist Whites believed it.
THE PROBLEM FOR THE GOP, IS, THEY BETTER HOPE IT IS JUST A MYTH.
To use another analogy from WWII, they may have wakened a sleeping giant. Since the truth has come out and Blacks are no longer in denial of what the GOP is attempting to do in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Ohio, we are more galvanized than ever to make sure their attempt fails. In Social and Public media Blacks use,
GET OUT THE VOTE IS A GROWING THEME.
Now many more may vote, who did not intend to vote, before the truth came out.
Like my grandma use to say,
"THEY SHOULD HAVE LEFT, WELL ENOUGH, ALONE."
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
African Americans and military veterans: A great debt owed.
I am a veteran of the United States Navy. I enlisted in 1972 during the Viet Nam war. As a result of my service I was placed in Harms Way, twice in Panama, in 1976. In one instance if it were not for a woman I had been dating I would have been killed. The other was a mission I was part of which envolved the troops training to take over the Panama Canal, if President Carter had not agreed to turn control of the Canal to Panama. Had I been caught, I'm sure I would have been tortured and possibly executed.
I want to make it known, that not every miltary person is trained to kill for their country, but all are trained to die for their country.
Every where I go and it is established that I am a veteran, I am greeted with a resounding, thanks for your service. It makes me feel proud and I don't mind risking my life. But there is one segment of this country that I don't seem to get this greeting, in fact, I get a feeling that my service was not appreciated at all. Those people are African Americans. In fact I can't recall ever being told thank you for your service by any Black person other than fellow veterans, family and close friends.
If there are a people who owe a debt of gratitude, to their veterans it is the African American community.
African Americans have served in every war this country has had. In the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 . particulary in the battle of New Orleans, African Americans fought while they were still slaves.
In the Civil War more than 180,000 African Americans fought on the side of the Union. It was the bravery and courage of those troops that allowed for the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments.
It was the Black Calvary troops that protected settlers in the west and their reputation lives today as a result of the Buffalo Soldiers and is still an active regiment in the U.S. Army the 9th Calvary.
In World War I France actively recruited African Americans for service and introduced African American culture to the world.
In World War II,one of the first heroes of the war was Doris Miller, my personal hero, the Tuskegee Airmen, the 761 Tank Battalion, The crew of the destroyer escort the Mason. Because of Black men and women in uniform, the United States could no longer deny Blacks equal rights and lead directly to acceptance of the civil rights movement in the 50's and 60's.
During Viet Nam it was a common sight to see African American troops fighting in every living room in the country on TV. There was no way President Johnson could deny signing the civil rights acts of 1964 which lead finally, to the basic freedoms African Americans enjoy today.
There is a direct coalition of military conflicts and the bravery and dedication of African Americans in the military and African American progress in this country. I truly believe that African American troops in both Gulf wars lead to the belief that a person of African decent could be trusted as Commander and Chief of the United States Armed Forces.
African Americans owe a great debt to black Military, not only did they fight and die to preserve the United States of America, they fought and died so that American society would realize that we are a brave and courageous people. We have earned the right to be called Americans.
I want to make it known, that not every miltary person is trained to kill for their country, but all are trained to die for their country.
Every where I go and it is established that I am a veteran, I am greeted with a resounding, thanks for your service. It makes me feel proud and I don't mind risking my life. But there is one segment of this country that I don't seem to get this greeting, in fact, I get a feeling that my service was not appreciated at all. Those people are African Americans. In fact I can't recall ever being told thank you for your service by any Black person other than fellow veterans, family and close friends.
If there are a people who owe a debt of gratitude, to their veterans it is the African American community.
African Americans have served in every war this country has had. In the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 . particulary in the battle of New Orleans, African Americans fought while they were still slaves.
In the Civil War more than 180,000 African Americans fought on the side of the Union. It was the bravery and courage of those troops that allowed for the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments.
It was the Black Calvary troops that protected settlers in the west and their reputation lives today as a result of the Buffalo Soldiers and is still an active regiment in the U.S. Army the 9th Calvary.
In World War I France actively recruited African Americans for service and introduced African American culture to the world.
In World War II,one of the first heroes of the war was Doris Miller, my personal hero, the Tuskegee Airmen, the 761 Tank Battalion, The crew of the destroyer escort the Mason. Because of Black men and women in uniform, the United States could no longer deny Blacks equal rights and lead directly to acceptance of the civil rights movement in the 50's and 60's.
During Viet Nam it was a common sight to see African American troops fighting in every living room in the country on TV. There was no way President Johnson could deny signing the civil rights acts of 1964 which lead finally, to the basic freedoms African Americans enjoy today.
There is a direct coalition of military conflicts and the bravery and dedication of African Americans in the military and African American progress in this country. I truly believe that African American troops in both Gulf wars lead to the belief that a person of African decent could be trusted as Commander and Chief of the United States Armed Forces.
African Americans owe a great debt to black Military, not only did they fight and die to preserve the United States of America, they fought and died so that American society would realize that we are a brave and courageous people. We have earned the right to be called Americans.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Middle Class bites the hand that fed them. Unions
Of all the organizations that middle class Americans reject, the most baffling to me are Labor Unions. Unions help to create the middle class. Before unions worker's wages were at the mercy of employers. There were some employers, like Henry Ford, who understood the value of workers making a decent wage, but by in large most employers were greedy and unfair. Not only did Labor Unions fight for better wages, but they also fought for health benefits and safer working conditions, which also benefited the workers family and communities. In the 1950's and 60's the middle class flourished and the American economy was robust. Industry was booming due to the Viet Nam war, and after the war ended companies started to profit in the billions of dollars. There was always contention between corporations and labor unions, but that is what bargaining is all about. There is nothing wrong with a worker bargaining for a fair and decent wage and safe working conditions.
There were a few bad apples, unions that were under the control of organized crime and there was an aggressive push by the justice department to get rid of them. Most Labor Unions in this country were not controlled by organized crime but along with the news media and major corporations, you couldn't see it. There was an attempt to paint all labor unions as Mafia controlled centers of wealth.
The Middle Class attacks on Labor Unions started under Ronald Reagan. When President Reagan busted PATCO, the Air Traffic Controller's Union, it signaled the decline of Unions and public opinion. Corporations quickly picked up the ball and began a successful campaign to label labor unions as greedy and negative and bad for the nations economy. Then the GOP started to pack the the courts with judges which weakened Labor Union law suits to the point that Labor Unions actually became ineffective and thus furthered it's decline in the public arena. It isn't a coincidence
that the stagnation in wages, the decline of the Middle Class, parallel the devaluation of Labor Unions and the unpopular opinion they have with GOP conservatives. Am I the only one who sees that, not only do the GOP want to take us back in time with social issues, they want to go back to a time where workers are at the mercy of employers.
Corporate America keeps riding their agenda on the coat tails of disgruntled people to have one asset THEY VOTE.
It's the same thing that happened in the Southern States in 1861. The poor whites went to war to keep a system in play that was keeping them poor, Slavery. Why hire a blacksmith when you can own one?
Good or Bad the Labor Unions were the only organizations formed to fight for fair wages for middle class Americans. Even if a company does not have a union, the employers keep their wages compatible as to keep employees from considering forming a union.
It is ironic that the very person who actually helped to vilify labor unions, was the President of a major Union himself. Most of his wealth came from unions fighting to get actors fair wages and salaries for the work they did and the product they helped produce.
There were a few bad apples, unions that were under the control of organized crime and there was an aggressive push by the justice department to get rid of them. Most Labor Unions in this country were not controlled by organized crime but along with the news media and major corporations, you couldn't see it. There was an attempt to paint all labor unions as Mafia controlled centers of wealth.
The Middle Class attacks on Labor Unions started under Ronald Reagan. When President Reagan busted PATCO, the Air Traffic Controller's Union, it signaled the decline of Unions and public opinion. Corporations quickly picked up the ball and began a successful campaign to label labor unions as greedy and negative and bad for the nations economy. Then the GOP started to pack the the courts with judges which weakened Labor Union law suits to the point that Labor Unions actually became ineffective and thus furthered it's decline in the public arena. It isn't a coincidence
that the stagnation in wages, the decline of the Middle Class, parallel the devaluation of Labor Unions and the unpopular opinion they have with GOP conservatives. Am I the only one who sees that, not only do the GOP want to take us back in time with social issues, they want to go back to a time where workers are at the mercy of employers.
Corporate America keeps riding their agenda on the coat tails of disgruntled people to have one asset THEY VOTE.
It's the same thing that happened in the Southern States in 1861. The poor whites went to war to keep a system in play that was keeping them poor, Slavery. Why hire a blacksmith when you can own one?
Good or Bad the Labor Unions were the only organizations formed to fight for fair wages for middle class Americans. Even if a company does not have a union, the employers keep their wages compatible as to keep employees from considering forming a union.
It is ironic that the very person who actually helped to vilify labor unions, was the President of a major Union himself. Most of his wealth came from unions fighting to get actors fair wages and salaries for the work they did and the product they helped produce.
Indefinite Detention: Senator Sees No Need To Change Law That Was Ruled Unconstitutional
Indefinite Detention: Senator Sees No Need To Change Law That Was Ruled Unconstitutional
In 1973 I came home on leave. On the airplane an individual who said he was from Lebanon started up a conversation. He asked about a lot of different places in Los Angeles. For some reason I became suspicious even alarmed. When we arrived at the airport and I was waiting at the baggage area, I noticed a brief case that looked similar to the one the individual was carrying, sitting all alone in the middle of the floor. At the same time my sister and brother were approaching the entrance, I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Get out! Don't come in here.!" I reported my concerns to a uniformed officer and got my siblings out of there as soon as possible.
My siblings and most of the people in the airport probably thought I was crazy. What they did not know was one of my jobs in the Navy was to distribute Top Secret information. I knew of concerns of terrorist attacks on airports.
Of course nothing happened. No bomb went off. But what if it had and I had done nothing?
There are people who want to kill U.S. citizens. They are planning and plotting as I type.
I know I looked crazy and maybe I alarmed a lot of people that day, but I had information they did not. But I would do it again and again to protect my siblings and the people in the airport, even if it upsets them.
In 1973 I came home on leave. On the airplane an individual who said he was from Lebanon started up a conversation. He asked about a lot of different places in Los Angeles. For some reason I became suspicious even alarmed. When we arrived at the airport and I was waiting at the baggage area, I noticed a brief case that looked similar to the one the individual was carrying, sitting all alone in the middle of the floor. At the same time my sister and brother were approaching the entrance, I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Get out! Don't come in here.!" I reported my concerns to a uniformed officer and got my siblings out of there as soon as possible.
My siblings and most of the people in the airport probably thought I was crazy. What they did not know was one of my jobs in the Navy was to distribute Top Secret information. I knew of concerns of terrorist attacks on airports.
Of course nothing happened. No bomb went off. But what if it had and I had done nothing?
There are people who want to kill U.S. citizens. They are planning and plotting as I type.
I know I looked crazy and maybe I alarmed a lot of people that day, but I had information they did not. But I would do it again and again to protect my siblings and the people in the airport, even if it upsets them.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
When will Mitt Romney take the stand?
Mitt Romney's Bain Playbook Remains Unclear As Attacks Grow
This is perhaps the most confusing political campaign I have ever witnessed. Romney is like a defendant in a court case who will not take the stand in his defense. It's like he's taking the 5th on his history, be it Bain or his job as Governor of Mass.
What is more confusing is that he seems to be getting away with it. Imagine if you will candidate Obama not explaining, Rev Wright, or any other criticism of his background. You don't have to be a political scholar to say he would not be POTUS.
Yet Romney seems to be getting away with bashing Obama, saying that he has no skills to be POTUS despite holding the office. Yet Romney does not say what makes him uniquely qualified.
It appears that Romney is banking on, that enough people will dislike Obama's record as POTUS, and he can just slide in safe to the White House. Sneak in with his coat over his head.
Are the American voters really that gullible, or just plain stupid? If they elect Romney into office without having him take the "stand", well stupid is as stupid...you know the rest.
This is perhaps the most confusing political campaign I have ever witnessed. Romney is like a defendant in a court case who will not take the stand in his defense. It's like he's taking the 5th on his history, be it Bain or his job as Governor of Mass.
What is more confusing is that he seems to be getting away with it. Imagine if you will candidate Obama not explaining, Rev Wright, or any other criticism of his background. You don't have to be a political scholar to say he would not be POTUS.
Yet Romney seems to be getting away with bashing Obama, saying that he has no skills to be POTUS despite holding the office. Yet Romney does not say what makes him uniquely qualified.
It appears that Romney is banking on, that enough people will dislike Obama's record as POTUS, and he can just slide in safe to the White House. Sneak in with his coat over his head.
Are the American voters really that gullible, or just plain stupid? If they elect Romney into office without having him take the "stand", well stupid is as stupid...you know the rest.
Gordon Marble: I just heard today that Exxon/Mobile spends most of it's
Gordon Marble: I just heard today that Exxon/Mobile spends most of it's
“I just heard today that Exxon/Mobile spends most of it's political contributions on GOP candidates and law makers. More than 100 million dollars. So who do you think will have the leverage in Congress? The only way I can help make a dent is to vote and educate as many of my peers as possible. All the people I have known in my entire life, I could not collect a million dollars let alone 100. I question whether the average American can ever effect policies in this country again. But I for one will die trying. I will go to the polls on a gurney with an IV if I have to. Corporations may win this battle, but I see it like war. In the words of Winston Churchill, "Never, Never, Never give up!"
“I just heard today that Exxon/Mobile spends most of it's political contributions on GOP candidates and law makers. More than 100 million dollars. So who do you think will have the leverage in Congress? The only way I can help make a dent is to vote and educate as many of my peers as possible. All the people I have known in my entire life, I could not collect a million dollars let alone 100. I question whether the average American can ever effect policies in this country again. But I for one will die trying. I will go to the polls on a gurney with an IV if I have to. Corporations may win this battle, but I see it like war. In the words of Winston Churchill, "Never, Never, Never give up!"
Monday, May 21, 2012
Cory Booker Bain Remarks Complicate Things For Romney, Axelrod
Cory Booker Bain Remarks Complicate Things For Romney, Axelrod
Whether Mayor Cory wants it or not he as earned 30 pieces of silver. He "Kissed" Obama on the cheek in front of millions of people. I understand he is a politician and he has to protect his political contributors, one in which I now suspect is Bain Capital. He has provided the GOP with a poison apple they will use to cripple Obama's campaign. The problem is he may have crippled his chances for national office. The Dem base is very unhappy with the way he has cruciifed their leader. I know I am.
Whether Mayor Cory wants it or not he as earned 30 pieces of silver. He "Kissed" Obama on the cheek in front of millions of people. I understand he is a politician and he has to protect his political contributors, one in which I now suspect is Bain Capital. He has provided the GOP with a poison apple they will use to cripple Obama's campaign. The problem is he may have crippled his chances for national office. The Dem base is very unhappy with the way he has cruciifed their leader. I know I am.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
What? Contraception Again?
One of the benefits of growing older you see how things evolve. Sometimes they evolve into something else, and sometimes they evolve back to where they were in the beginning. Controversy on contraception is one of those things I thought was extinct but now it's been discovered under a mountain of political debris. The Archaeologist digging up these old skeletons seems to be the Tea Party Republicans. I don't think so. It's not religious zealots either. The benefactors of this ancient dig in my opinion are White Supremacist.
When Roe v. Wade became the law of the land in 1973 many states had already passed the law to some extent. In 1965 The Supreme Court made Birth Control legal with it's decision on Griswold v. Connecticut. In both cases there was raging controversy during what is commonly known as the "Civil Rights era".
I can recall around that time that Right Wingers, which was a mix of Hoover Republicans and Southern Democrats, seem to warm up to the notion of Legal Abortion and Birth Control, because of the belief mostly Blacks and Poor Whites, and Hippie types would be participating. Not only would it control the population of the "Unwanted Class", but there would be less babies to take care of on welfare.
Then came the 1980 Census.
The 1980 census showed a clear reduction of the White race in America compared to minorities . I can't remember all the details concerning the report, but I do recall that there were major concerns that by 2080 Whites would not be the majority race in The United States of America. This set the Right Wing media ablaze. And all kind of theories as to why started to hit the air waves and print.
Abortion, Immigration of Latinos, Gays and Contraception were the main culprits, that was common the consensus of the Right Wing media. At the same time Abortion Clinics, Hispanic Immigrants, and Gays were placed on White Supremacy hate list along with Blacks and Jews, and Communist.
So it starts to make a little more sense that Abortion, Immigration of Latinos, Gays and Contraception again major social issues in the 2012 elections. Anything that decreases the majority rule of Whites is a foe.
White Supremacy are ugly words, unless you are a White Supremacist. Therefore a more acceptable group had to come into the picture so it could be brought forth in better light to the public. Blowing up abortion clinics and lynching Gays wasn't going to get it. Hispanic gangs knew how to shoot back.
Then along came the Moral Majority. Jerry Falwell and his cohorts began to attack reproduction rights, specifically abortion as a sin against God. They started calling it murder, and they cited millions of babies as victims. In my opinion the only babies they were concerned with were White babies, if they were just Black babies, this would not be a national issue.
No one likes abortion, yet a woman should have the right to choose,in cases of rape, incest, danger of life to the mother and even economic reasons, if she can't afford another mouth to feed. I personally question knowledge of birth defect, having an Autistic son whom I love very much.
But the issues on the Right is not about, religion, or a woman's health. That is a facade. The real reason is, the fear of the extinction of the White race in America. The Tea Party Republicans are full of people who feel this is a real and present danger. And if they succeed in attacking Gays, reproduction rights, and civil liberties of Hispanics, they will be coming after mixed race marriages next. If Obama was all Black many would have a more favorable opinion of him.
The question is simple does a Government have the right to protect the racial make up of it's nation?
It seems that the Tea Party Republicans and the Communist Chinese have a lot in common after all.
When Roe v. Wade became the law of the land in 1973 many states had already passed the law to some extent. In 1965 The Supreme Court made Birth Control legal with it's decision on Griswold v. Connecticut. In both cases there was raging controversy during what is commonly known as the "Civil Rights era".
I can recall around that time that Right Wingers, which was a mix of Hoover Republicans and Southern Democrats, seem to warm up to the notion of Legal Abortion and Birth Control, because of the belief mostly Blacks and Poor Whites, and Hippie types would be participating. Not only would it control the population of the "Unwanted Class", but there would be less babies to take care of on welfare.
Then came the 1980 Census.
The 1980 census showed a clear reduction of the White race in America compared to minorities . I can't remember all the details concerning the report, but I do recall that there were major concerns that by 2080 Whites would not be the majority race in The United States of America. This set the Right Wing media ablaze. And all kind of theories as to why started to hit the air waves and print.
Abortion, Immigration of Latinos, Gays and Contraception were the main culprits, that was common the consensus of the Right Wing media. At the same time Abortion Clinics, Hispanic Immigrants, and Gays were placed on White Supremacy hate list along with Blacks and Jews, and Communist.
So it starts to make a little more sense that Abortion, Immigration of Latinos, Gays and Contraception again major social issues in the 2012 elections. Anything that decreases the majority rule of Whites is a foe.
White Supremacy are ugly words, unless you are a White Supremacist. Therefore a more acceptable group had to come into the picture so it could be brought forth in better light to the public. Blowing up abortion clinics and lynching Gays wasn't going to get it. Hispanic gangs knew how to shoot back.
Then along came the Moral Majority. Jerry Falwell and his cohorts began to attack reproduction rights, specifically abortion as a sin against God. They started calling it murder, and they cited millions of babies as victims. In my opinion the only babies they were concerned with were White babies, if they were just Black babies, this would not be a national issue.
No one likes abortion, yet a woman should have the right to choose,in cases of rape, incest, danger of life to the mother and even economic reasons, if she can't afford another mouth to feed. I personally question knowledge of birth defect, having an Autistic son whom I love very much.
But the issues on the Right is not about, religion, or a woman's health. That is a facade. The real reason is, the fear of the extinction of the White race in America. The Tea Party Republicans are full of people who feel this is a real and present danger. And if they succeed in attacking Gays, reproduction rights, and civil liberties of Hispanics, they will be coming after mixed race marriages next. If Obama was all Black many would have a more favorable opinion of him.
The question is simple does a Government have the right to protect the racial make up of it's nation?
It seems that the Tea Party Republicans and the Communist Chinese have a lot in common after all.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
African Americans and the LGBT Community
There are three things I can't control. Who my parents were, who I fall in love with, and what turns me on sexually. As a child naked manikins did something too me. I know that is TMI. But I'm trying to make a point. I did not wake up with this information. I had to learn it.
Yesterday President Obama made an historic announcement stating that he supports marriage equality. And immediately the question arose, how will Black voters view his disclosure? To listen to the questions from a middle aged black man's perspective, it's really insulting. It's as if African Americans are homogeneous in every thing we do. Just like in other cultures there are differences in thought about a variety of subjects, depending on your family background, belief systems, morals teachings, religion and education. The Blacks from the South can have different views from all other Blacks in the Country, and the Blacks from Mississippi have different views than from Blacks from Georgia. We are not of the Borg Collective. Yet because we share a common heritage there are things that bond use like no other race.
As I stated before I had to learn that you cannot control who you fall in love with. It happens. What arouses me sexually I don't have a choice. As a man I can tell you, I have a meter indicator that lets me know when I am aroused and believe me it seems to work on it's own.
Many African Americans believe that Homosexuality is a life style choice. They don't believe that people are born that way. The problem is education. Most African Americans get their education on Gays from Church. And most Black Churches like in White or Hispanic Churches all point to Sodom And Gomorrah as the reason God hates Gays. It's pretty hard to combat something that has been embedded in you since Sunday School.
African Americans know more than any other race that prejudice in learned from repeated lies passed down from generations.
There are a variety of other reasons Blacks can't get the Gay thing. One is they don't believe that Gay Rights is equal to Civil Rights in the 60's. You can hide that fact that you are Gay but you can't hide that fact that your skin is dark and your hair is kinky. And of course there is the fact that a lot of Gays wore White Hoods and Burned Crosses. Oh! You didn't think we knew that? And if my child already faces discrimination because of the color of his/her skin, I would be concerned that them being Gay would be another burden. I might discourage it if I did not know better.
All that said, I think it's time for African Americans to look at the big picture. Look at the similarities and not the differences in Gay civil rights issues. If we allow the civil rights of others to be controlled by majority vote, who do you think is next? We are not in a post racial society. Tea Party folks are still teaching that blacks are bad and dangerous and race mixing is still an issue down south. Denying the civil rights of one group is a template for denying the rights of another group. Blacks in California may remember we were repaid by supporting proposition 187 with the passage of proposition 209. Google it.
To my LGBT friends I have one suggestion. Go into Black Churches and educate the congregation.Get them to understand that being Gay is not a life style choice. You will see a change in African American attitudes. Trust that.
Yesterday President Obama made an historic announcement stating that he supports marriage equality. And immediately the question arose, how will Black voters view his disclosure? To listen to the questions from a middle aged black man's perspective, it's really insulting. It's as if African Americans are homogeneous in every thing we do. Just like in other cultures there are differences in thought about a variety of subjects, depending on your family background, belief systems, morals teachings, religion and education. The Blacks from the South can have different views from all other Blacks in the Country, and the Blacks from Mississippi have different views than from Blacks from Georgia. We are not of the Borg Collective. Yet because we share a common heritage there are things that bond use like no other race.
As I stated before I had to learn that you cannot control who you fall in love with. It happens. What arouses me sexually I don't have a choice. As a man I can tell you, I have a meter indicator that lets me know when I am aroused and believe me it seems to work on it's own.
Many African Americans believe that Homosexuality is a life style choice. They don't believe that people are born that way. The problem is education. Most African Americans get their education on Gays from Church. And most Black Churches like in White or Hispanic Churches all point to Sodom And Gomorrah as the reason God hates Gays. It's pretty hard to combat something that has been embedded in you since Sunday School.
African Americans know more than any other race that prejudice in learned from repeated lies passed down from generations.
There are a variety of other reasons Blacks can't get the Gay thing. One is they don't believe that Gay Rights is equal to Civil Rights in the 60's. You can hide that fact that you are Gay but you can't hide that fact that your skin is dark and your hair is kinky. And of course there is the fact that a lot of Gays wore White Hoods and Burned Crosses. Oh! You didn't think we knew that? And if my child already faces discrimination because of the color of his/her skin, I would be concerned that them being Gay would be another burden. I might discourage it if I did not know better.
All that said, I think it's time for African Americans to look at the big picture. Look at the similarities and not the differences in Gay civil rights issues. If we allow the civil rights of others to be controlled by majority vote, who do you think is next? We are not in a post racial society. Tea Party folks are still teaching that blacks are bad and dangerous and race mixing is still an issue down south. Denying the civil rights of one group is a template for denying the rights of another group. Blacks in California may remember we were repaid by supporting proposition 187 with the passage of proposition 209. Google it.
To my LGBT friends I have one suggestion. Go into Black Churches and educate the congregation.Get them to understand that being Gay is not a life style choice. You will see a change in African American attitudes. Trust that.
Monday, May 7, 2012
BRK: Before Rodney King
In 1970 a young man was returning home after walking his girl friend home in Compton, CA. When for no reason at all a police car swooped in front of him and blocked his path. Two uniformed officers, had bright lights and two guns pointed at him. He was told to get on his knees, with his hands on his head. He was harassed and called ugly names and was never told why he had been stopped. One of the police pointed his finger, in the form of a gun, into the forehead of this young man. He cocked back his thumb and said "POW!" The young man was startled at the sound he made. He looked at the young man and asked, "You scared Boy?"
After a little more harassment and insults, the police finally let the young man go, and even told him to "Run". The young man refused and said, "I'm not going to run, you have to shoot me walking." The young man walked away trembling, hoping he wouldn't hear the shot that killed him. They did not shoot. The young man reported the harassment the next day, and 42 years later,. is still waiting for a response. The young man this happened too was me.
When I was coming up this was common. Police abused African American men with impunity. There were many cases here in Los Angeles, in which Blacks where shot and killed by police, beaten almost to death in the same manner as Rodney King, with many people claiming to have witnessed the abuse or shooting, yet the police where vindicated by internal investigation or commissions. Before Rodney King I do recall one case in Los Angeles, in which a police officer was indicted for Police Abuse.
On that fateful night of March 1, 1991. A miracle seemed to have happened for African American men. A brand new technology would once and for all question the integrity of Urban police and the abuse of Black men, The Hand Held Video Camera. There for all to see, the LAPD were video taped beating an unarmed helpless black man. The eyes don't lie, or do they?
Well a couple of things changed. For the first time in my life, police officers were indited for police abuse. The other was the majority of public opinion was on the side of the victim. They were charged and brought to trial. Yet were found not guilty by a jury in a court of law. A riot occurred, more than 30 people lost their lives, and there was billions of dollars in damage.
Yet 20 years later, I do see a big change. I have seen other cases in which police were put on trial. It was never an automatic release from prosecution for police to abuse an African American male. Police units now have video cameras mounted, all across the nation, so police can protect themselves from malicious claims of police abuse. The benefit has been a reduction of police abuse claims and those that do occur are prosecuted immediately and there has been some justice. It also reduced the reputation of the LAPD and in my opinion, helped uncover the scandals of the LAPD Rampart Division.
Of course there are still claims of abuse and I have no doubt that most are true. But at least now in this day and time, calls for justice will be answered and hopefully it will speed up, not like in the case of Trayvon Martin. And one day the plight of being a African American male in America, will not have to have a tragic event to have it resolved.
After a little more harassment and insults, the police finally let the young man go, and even told him to "Run". The young man refused and said, "I'm not going to run, you have to shoot me walking." The young man walked away trembling, hoping he wouldn't hear the shot that killed him. They did not shoot. The young man reported the harassment the next day, and 42 years later,. is still waiting for a response. The young man this happened too was me.
When I was coming up this was common. Police abused African American men with impunity. There were many cases here in Los Angeles, in which Blacks where shot and killed by police, beaten almost to death in the same manner as Rodney King, with many people claiming to have witnessed the abuse or shooting, yet the police where vindicated by internal investigation or commissions. Before Rodney King I do recall one case in Los Angeles, in which a police officer was indicted for Police Abuse.
On that fateful night of March 1, 1991. A miracle seemed to have happened for African American men. A brand new technology would once and for all question the integrity of Urban police and the abuse of Black men, The Hand Held Video Camera. There for all to see, the LAPD were video taped beating an unarmed helpless black man. The eyes don't lie, or do they?
Well a couple of things changed. For the first time in my life, police officers were indited for police abuse. The other was the majority of public opinion was on the side of the victim. They were charged and brought to trial. Yet were found not guilty by a jury in a court of law. A riot occurred, more than 30 people lost their lives, and there was billions of dollars in damage.
Yet 20 years later, I do see a big change. I have seen other cases in which police were put on trial. It was never an automatic release from prosecution for police to abuse an African American male. Police units now have video cameras mounted, all across the nation, so police can protect themselves from malicious claims of police abuse. The benefit has been a reduction of police abuse claims and those that do occur are prosecuted immediately and there has been some justice. It also reduced the reputation of the LAPD and in my opinion, helped uncover the scandals of the LAPD Rampart Division.
Of course there are still claims of abuse and I have no doubt that most are true. But at least now in this day and time, calls for justice will be answered and hopefully it will speed up, not like in the case of Trayvon Martin. And one day the plight of being a African American male in America, will not have to have a tragic event to have it resolved.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
China? What about Michigan?
I am following the news today regarding the Blind Chinese Dissident who is attempting to leave China and come to the US. Though I am concerned about freedom of everyone in the world, and I am quite aware of the diplomatic problems that have arisen as a result.
But what about freedom being in jeopardy right here in the continental United States of America.
As I type these words there is a battle in Michigan going on, due to a law that was voted on and passed by the Republican control state Congress, which allows the Governor of the state to suspend the duties of elected officials in cities, and replace them with a City Manager. One appointed City manager proclaimed himself to be a "Tyrant". The law was supposed to help cities that found themselves in financial insolvency, and one person is appointed to run the city to bring the city back to economic stability, by getting rid of government excess, solely based on the opinion of the City Manager. In other words, what the citizens of a city under the control of a City Manager want DON'T COUNT. It would take all day and a book to describe the mess in Michigan right now. But Democracy has all but been suspended in these cities. One more thing most of the Cities under control of a City Manager, the majority of the citizens are African American. I don't think this is a mere coincidence.
A recall movement began to repeal the horrid law, and guess what? The GOP controlled State Congress is against it. After petitions were passed around to repeal the law and place it on the ballot in June, it has been blocked by a board with connections to the Governor of Michigan and the State controlled Congress. It wasn't that the citizens of Michigan did not get enough signatures, they did. The problem is the board rejected the petitions because the were not printed in the proper FONT SIZE.
According to eclectablog.com 50% of African Americans in Michigan have been affected by the anti-democratic law. There are law suits and and even a request by the Justice Department to investigate the constitutionality of the law, but what I am angry about is, the mainstream media does't seem that issues like these deserve national attention. The only way I have been keeping up with what is going on is via MSNBC and notably Rachel Maddow and Al Sharpton, who have devoted major airing of what is happening in Michigan.
Again I understand how importantit is to pay attention to a Blind Chinese dissident, but what about our own back yard. Along with voter suppression with voter ID laws, (which is another Blog in it's self) this law is Michigan is one of the scariest things I have witnessed in my 59 years of life. It's happening right under our noses, and the organization which has the legal and constitutional authority to make us aware, is not doing it's job....The Press!
But what about freedom being in jeopardy right here in the continental United States of America.
As I type these words there is a battle in Michigan going on, due to a law that was voted on and passed by the Republican control state Congress, which allows the Governor of the state to suspend the duties of elected officials in cities, and replace them with a City Manager. One appointed City manager proclaimed himself to be a "Tyrant". The law was supposed to help cities that found themselves in financial insolvency, and one person is appointed to run the city to bring the city back to economic stability, by getting rid of government excess, solely based on the opinion of the City Manager. In other words, what the citizens of a city under the control of a City Manager want DON'T COUNT. It would take all day and a book to describe the mess in Michigan right now. But Democracy has all but been suspended in these cities. One more thing most of the Cities under control of a City Manager, the majority of the citizens are African American. I don't think this is a mere coincidence.
A recall movement began to repeal the horrid law, and guess what? The GOP controlled State Congress is against it. After petitions were passed around to repeal the law and place it on the ballot in June, it has been blocked by a board with connections to the Governor of Michigan and the State controlled Congress. It wasn't that the citizens of Michigan did not get enough signatures, they did. The problem is the board rejected the petitions because the were not printed in the proper FONT SIZE.
According to eclectablog.com 50% of African Americans in Michigan have been affected by the anti-democratic law. There are law suits and and even a request by the Justice Department to investigate the constitutionality of the law, but what I am angry about is, the mainstream media does't seem that issues like these deserve national attention. The only way I have been keeping up with what is going on is via MSNBC and notably Rachel Maddow and Al Sharpton, who have devoted major airing of what is happening in Michigan.
Again I understand how importantit is to pay attention to a Blind Chinese dissident, but what about our own back yard. Along with voter suppression with voter ID laws, (which is another Blog in it's self) this law is Michigan is one of the scariest things I have witnessed in my 59 years of life. It's happening right under our noses, and the organization which has the legal and constitutional authority to make us aware, is not doing it's job....The Press!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Ms. Harris-Perry You miss the Point!
This morning I watched Melissa Harris-Perry on MSNBC. She questioned using the word "war", to describe any situation which can be described as a conflict. She sighted that war involves, death and destruction, use of powerful ordinances like bombs and guns. Which is very true. But. Any actions or laws that harm and deprive a segment of a society needs attention brought to it, especially in a Democracy. Thank God for the First Amendment and the Free Press.
Word combinations like War on Women, the Poor, Gays, Latinos, Voter Rights, are headlines that are needed to draw in the average citizens who do not follow politics like political geeks like myself. I studied journalism and any teacher I had, would have a big conflict on Ms. Harris-Perry's advice. The principle ethic in journalism is reporting the truth, not how you spice it up or get people to pay attention to what you are reporting. I believe that sometimes headlines may be over the top, but it did do it's intended purpose, grab a readers attention and inform them.
I love Ms. Harris-Perry's show and I appreciate that she is a very smart and intelligent College Professor. But she is on Television, not in a class room. Her job is to inform not educate. Political correctness is relative. It depends on your audience, your platform and how serious the situation is.
If my house is full of dark smoke, I'm not going to yell, "Smoke" to get attention to everyone in my house, I'm gonna yell Fire, whether I see flames or not.
What the GOP is doing to women in this country is atrocious, and how I would really describe what I see, I couldn't use on TV. What's happening to women in this country, voter rights, the poor, and Gays needs to be shouted from the highest mountain, with the most attention getting words that are decent.
Word combinations like War on Women, the Poor, Gays, Latinos, Voter Rights, are headlines that are needed to draw in the average citizens who do not follow politics like political geeks like myself. I studied journalism and any teacher I had, would have a big conflict on Ms. Harris-Perry's advice. The principle ethic in journalism is reporting the truth, not how you spice it up or get people to pay attention to what you are reporting. I believe that sometimes headlines may be over the top, but it did do it's intended purpose, grab a readers attention and inform them.
I love Ms. Harris-Perry's show and I appreciate that she is a very smart and intelligent College Professor. But she is on Television, not in a class room. Her job is to inform not educate. Political correctness is relative. It depends on your audience, your platform and how serious the situation is.
If my house is full of dark smoke, I'm not going to yell, "Smoke" to get attention to everyone in my house, I'm gonna yell Fire, whether I see flames or not.
What the GOP is doing to women in this country is atrocious, and how I would really describe what I see, I couldn't use on TV. What's happening to women in this country, voter rights, the poor, and Gays needs to be shouted from the highest mountain, with the most attention getting words that are decent.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The McDonald States of America
Many years ago my when I became a teenager and I wanted to go and party with my friends, my Mother did something very interesting. She would agree, if I read articles from various magazines and newspapers that were of Social-Political nature. At 14 I was reading Time, News Week, Life along with Ebony and Jet, plus all the local newspapers. I then had to answer questions and give her a review of what I read, (of course she had read them already) to prove that I had read what she assigned. Eventually she did not have to coerce me to read the articles, for I became interested and started reading them on my own. I will be for ever indebted to my Mother for the clever way she got me interested in the world around me.
In the mist of my informal education, my Mother was reading a book called the "Rich and The Super Rich" by Ferdinand Lumberg. When you open the book it there was a quote, "Behind Every Success lies a Crime". Of course at 15 years old I was hooked.
But what it brings to mind, it was the first time I read the word Privatization. I even understood at that age what it meant. What if America was ran by Corporations instead of a Government Bureaucracy?
It has been more than 40 years since I read that book and except for the chapters that discussed business and organized crime I don't remember much. But I have kept an eye out for that tidbit I read that stuck in my head all these years, and now see it coming to fusion.
I first noticed in the 80's when I worked for the VA and eventually the Post Office. In discussions regarding revenue and future of the Post Office, talk of attempts to privatize came up. The only protection from this happening was the the United States Constitution. At the time the privatization the Post Office was overwhelming supported by the GOP.
Now in 2012 I see forces that are in play that not only seek to privatize the Post Office but the entire U.S. Government itself. With the Supreme Court's judgement in favor of Citizens United it has open the door and the have the perfect candidate in play right now in Mitt Romney, a professional Corporate Raider. Who made millions taking over companies, driving up high debt the force them into bankruptcy. A practice first devised by organized crime in fact. Only now the target is not a weak company it is the United States Government. The United States of America will cease to be a democracy as we know it. America you had better wise up.The only motive is to make the Rich, Super Rich.
In the mist of my informal education, my Mother was reading a book called the "Rich and The Super Rich" by Ferdinand Lumberg. When you open the book it there was a quote, "Behind Every Success lies a Crime". Of course at 15 years old I was hooked.
But what it brings to mind, it was the first time I read the word Privatization. I even understood at that age what it meant. What if America was ran by Corporations instead of a Government Bureaucracy?
It has been more than 40 years since I read that book and except for the chapters that discussed business and organized crime I don't remember much. But I have kept an eye out for that tidbit I read that stuck in my head all these years, and now see it coming to fusion.
I first noticed in the 80's when I worked for the VA and eventually the Post Office. In discussions regarding revenue and future of the Post Office, talk of attempts to privatize came up. The only protection from this happening was the the United States Constitution. At the time the privatization the Post Office was overwhelming supported by the GOP.
Now in 2012 I see forces that are in play that not only seek to privatize the Post Office but the entire U.S. Government itself. With the Supreme Court's judgement in favor of Citizens United it has open the door and the have the perfect candidate in play right now in Mitt Romney, a professional Corporate Raider. Who made millions taking over companies, driving up high debt the force them into bankruptcy. A practice first devised by organized crime in fact. Only now the target is not a weak company it is the United States Government. The United States of America will cease to be a democracy as we know it. America you had better wise up.The only motive is to make the Rich, Super Rich.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Did Keeping a Promise Hurt Obama?
There are many critics of the Affordable Healthcare Act, also known as Obamacare, I am one of them. I agree with Dan Rather, when he said that Obama's first, second and third priorities should have been Jobs. Now Obamacare has become a political nagging injury of the Obama administration. It is unpopular among many according to the popular polls, for various reasons. It may become a huge hindrance to a second term for Brother O.
So why did Obama make Healthcare such a big priority in his first term? Especially since he campaigned on ending the War in Iraq and Income fairness as major issues. In fact it was Hilary Clinton who had Health care in 2008 as a major issue, as well as being a major force on Bill Clinton's failed attempt to get Universal Health care during his administration.
In my opinion the Obama 2008 campaign needed immediate support from the Clintons to bring the Democratic Party together. There had been some talk of Hilary running as a third party candidate and of course there was the White female voters who made up Clinton's base. It would not be a far stretch of the imagination to realize that since Obama was really not concerned about Health care as a priority, he was made to promise that he would make it his number one priority if he were elected.
If this is the case he could have changed his mind and focused on what he felt was important. But that would have been very difficult since the person you made the promise to, is now your Secretary of State.
Then there is the question of honor. I was raised to believe that it was dishonorable to make a promise and then break it for selfish reasons.
Whether it was honor, a misguided political decision, or complete naivety, if Obama made that promise to Clinton, he stood behind it. Maybe he actually came to believe in it's necessity. Either way I see Obama as a man of high character, brave, a person who believes in the power of keeping one's word.
So why did Obama make Healthcare such a big priority in his first term? Especially since he campaigned on ending the War in Iraq and Income fairness as major issues. In fact it was Hilary Clinton who had Health care in 2008 as a major issue, as well as being a major force on Bill Clinton's failed attempt to get Universal Health care during his administration.
In my opinion the Obama 2008 campaign needed immediate support from the Clintons to bring the Democratic Party together. There had been some talk of Hilary running as a third party candidate and of course there was the White female voters who made up Clinton's base. It would not be a far stretch of the imagination to realize that since Obama was really not concerned about Health care as a priority, he was made to promise that he would make it his number one priority if he were elected.
If this is the case he could have changed his mind and focused on what he felt was important. But that would have been very difficult since the person you made the promise to, is now your Secretary of State.
Then there is the question of honor. I was raised to believe that it was dishonorable to make a promise and then break it for selfish reasons.
Whether it was honor, a misguided political decision, or complete naivety, if Obama made that promise to Clinton, he stood behind it. Maybe he actually came to believe in it's necessity. Either way I see Obama as a man of high character, brave, a person who believes in the power of keeping one's word.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
What Planet Does The GOP live on?
To day is Earth day. To many, especially if you live on this planet that should be something to celebrate. Unless you happen to be a Republican. To them caring about the planet seems to be a Left Wing Liberal Conspiracy. They deny Global warming, even in spite of record warming and tornadoes in the mid west. They jumped all over poor Obama regarding the oil spill on the Gulf Coast, yet the decry him for not building more drilling platforms, so I guess they can leak more oil? They label anyone who is concerned about clean water, trees, animal rights as communist, and if you are worried about your water catching fire, you are a scary cat. Auto emissions, are good for agriculture. It's as if the Earth is an expendable resource which can be sacrificed and God will just make another one. Hopefully He will do it in 3 days not 6. Just leave out Blacks, Gays, Non Christians, Feminist, all the poor. That should speed things up.Good Ol GOP Thinking..smh
The way I see it, this is only the planet is all we got. I mean I did learn in school that no other body in the Solar System, including our own Moon would have us, or they would have at least air.
I say if we are concerned about Mother Earth, (Oh Oh another woman issue), Mother Earth will take care of us. The Earth is a Home we all own. If my mother were alive, may she rest in peace, if a doctor told me she need attention too, I wouldn't stop and say, "I will need to see other evidence that what you are saying is true Doc." No I would make sure she has what ever she needs to stay healthy.
There are a lot more things I find strange about the GOP and how most seem to think, but denying that we have a global environmental problems beats all. This is one time we all should error on the side of caution. I would ask a Dinosaur if I was right, but they are all extinct. I wonder why?
Happy Earth Day
The way I see it, this is only the planet is all we got. I mean I did learn in school that no other body in the Solar System, including our own Moon would have us, or they would have at least air.
I say if we are concerned about Mother Earth, (Oh Oh another woman issue), Mother Earth will take care of us. The Earth is a Home we all own. If my mother were alive, may she rest in peace, if a doctor told me she need attention too, I wouldn't stop and say, "I will need to see other evidence that what you are saying is true Doc." No I would make sure she has what ever she needs to stay healthy.
There are a lot more things I find strange about the GOP and how most seem to think, but denying that we have a global environmental problems beats all. This is one time we all should error on the side of caution. I would ask a Dinosaur if I was right, but they are all extinct. I wonder why?
Happy Earth Day
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