Quick test for you. What do Vietnam, Communism, The Cold War, The Iranian Crisis, Willie Horton, Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein all have in common? Other than the fact that they were all aligned against the United States, they were also tools used by the Republican Party to "Scare The Vote".
Scare The Vote, just as it sounds, scare the vote. What is scaring the vote? Simply put, scaring the vote is when a political faction plays to the fears of a given portion of the American population in the hopes of swaying the vote of that grouping of people. Scaring the vote is paining a picture of doom and gloom unless a certain person is elected. Without a doubt, Eisenhower, Nixon, and Reagan were all elected because of their stance against communism. Honestly, you really do not think that either one of them was elected because of their award winning domestic policy agenda, do you?
George H. W. Bush was elected because of one person, Willie Horton. Oh Bush was extremely proud of that name. One less black man to terrorize innocent white people in the eyes of good ole H.W. Bush. Let us forget about the fact that 60% of H.W. Bush's term in the White House was spent with him attempting to cover his butt by sweeping his past transgressions under the carpet.
There was not a whole lot of scaring the vote in the 2000 General Election. After all, why scare the vote when Dub-Ya's brother was in place to ensure that another Bush would call the White House home? 2004 was a different story. There was a war raging. Saddam Hussein had a hidden stash of Weapons of Mass Destruction. John Kerry was certainly not the person to deal with that kind of a threat, or that is what the Republican Party led the nation to believe. Devil be damned if the war was based on a lie. Screw the fact that with 10 billion dollars a month fueling the war effort that the economy would fall into a shambles. Don't worry about the fact that G. W. Bush was playing G.I. Joe with real live people instead of dolls. Yeah, let's look past all of that because, according to the Republican Party, John Kerry did not have the sack to ensure America's safety.
What is really funny about the event of 9/11 is the fact that their probability was previously discussed during the Nixon Administration, and not carried out until G.W. Bush was in office. If the Democrats were lacking in intestinal fortitude, then why is it most of the major international terrorist actions seem to occur only when there is a Republican in the White House? There is a simple answer. It is done so to convince the American people that the Republicans are protectors of the nation. Just another way to scare the vote.
So here is the bottom line America; When the Republicans run out of material to formulate a rational argument, and find their options sinking in the polls, they tend to turn to the age old tactic of Scaring The Vote. Hell, if you can't beat them, scare them. Well, America has something for those old school, Klu Klux Klan loving Republicans. We are a smarter nation, one full of critical thinkers, a nation of people who do not simply swallow what you feed us any more. We are not a nation governed by fear, but one that is fully capable of making intelligent decisions based on facts, and not conjecture. We are a nation of people who do not hide behind ten cent words and phrases such as "Socialist", and "Pork barrel" without a clear understanding of the truest definitions of said words and phrases. Contrary to popular notion, we are a nation of readers. We no longer learn by rote. So, a word to the old school racists who hide behind the banner of the conservatives; your breed is heading down the path towards extinction. Species survive on earth through evolution, and those unwilling to evolve become exhibits in the natural history museums. Thirty years from now, some young child will point to a wax figure and say "Daddy, what is that?" to which the father will respond "A Dark piece of American History. That is the old racist pretending to be a Republican. They dies out because they refused to embrace diversity". Word to the wise; burn the robes and hoods, grow some hair, get a complete education and get with the New American Order. We are not black, We are not white, We are not any race, We are not gay, We are not straight, We are not anything other than Americans. So Stop Trying To Scare Our Vote!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Days Away Fron The Election, And It Is Already Starting
We knew it was coming, that it was only a matter of time before someone, so where would consider such an action. Only a matter of time before the true nature of one campaign's followers began to rear its vial head, and manifest itself to the public.
As we draw closer to the date of the General Election, and Barack Obama maintain his impressive lead, we begin to see the desperation of some followers of John McCain. Well, perhaps they do not support McCain; however, the do represent an extremely ugly facet of America.
Two white men were arrested for plotting an assassination attempt on Barack Obama. Two white men who obviously harbor a fear of a black man leading this nation. Two white men who hold a deeply rooted racial bias, and were obviously willing to make said bias known.
This is a shame. It is a shame because there are those in America who so fear the power of an educated African American that they are willing to make used of the cards provided to them by the GOP's favorite lobby organization in an attempt to ensure that said African American does not elevate to the highest office in the land.
This is a shame because these two white men probably hid behind the lie of being ones who believe in diversity.
You know what? I am going to jump off of the racial aspect of this event, and get onto what I feel to be a deeper problem in our nation.
People, be they black, white, yellow, green or polka dot, but people in this country seem to be only interested in one thing, that being self. Did we forget about the "Golden Rule"? Let us do unto others as we would expect others to do unto us? Face the facts, other than the native Americans, none of our ancestors really wanted to come to America.
The Pilgrims came because they were fleeing the tyranny of King George, and we know that the Africans were bought here against their will. The Mexicans came because the economy below the border made it nearly impossible to survive in Mexico. The Cubans came to flee a dictator. each culture has a story as to why they fled to America, but honestly, no one just stood up and said "Gee, it sure is a nice day to cross the Atlantic Ocean, let's go to America".
With that thought in mind, we should strive to accept each other, not as White Americans, Black Americans, Asian American, Hispanic Americans, or what ever, but as Americans, plain and simple, Americans.
Being Americans, it should not matter what ethnic background our President comes from. The only thing that should matter would be if the person, man or woman, can do the job. You know, right man for the job (well in this day in age, right person for the job)? The color of one's skin should not matter. It shouldn't, but to so many under educated racial supremacists, it does, and again that is a shame.
Perhaps if people would spend more time focussing on education, then the fires of racial ignorance would be easier to contain. It is so amazing what a simple course in American History can do to improve relations in this nation. Trouble is, people only want to learn a single portion of history, usually the portion that makes their position appear to be the right position.
People tend to shun away from the truth, instead of embracing it. Several southern middle class white people adore the Republican Party, but what they fail to realize is that it was the Republican Party who sought to break the financial back of the south, thus propelling our nation into the Civil War. Facts are fact, neither Jefferson Davis nor Stone Wall Jackson were Republicans. Although abolishing slavery was a good thing to do, the motives of the Northern Wiggers/Radical Republicans/Republican Party was not so much to provide a better quality of life for the slaves as it was to remove the engine that kept the economy of the south moving. Guess what? It worked. Without slave labor, the south could not move their crops, thus the economy of the south began to falter, and bullets began to fly. Amazing what one can learn from a history book.
Most typical college students and graduates are completely aware of the methods employed by the Republicans against the south in the years prior to the Civil War. Conversely, most people with less than a college education tend to see the Civil War as the event what the north tried to tell the south that they were not allowed to have slaves to work the field. No reference what so ever to the political affiliation of the north at that time.
Here is the bottom line, America; things aren't always as they seem, and education it the key to embracing the real America. Through education we find that 85-92% of all blood lines in America are mixed blood lines. Matter of factly speaking, my bloodline is a combination of African American, Caucasian, and Cherokee Indian. The more our nation progresses, the more the bloodlines become intermixed with one another. As a result, there is truly nothing purely anything in America anymore. As I stated previously, although the tones of our skin are a variety of shades, we are all, still simply Americans.
In closing, I ask forgiveness for the two white men arrested for plotting to kill Barack Obama. They are the product of an under educated, and under nurtured environment, ergo they know not what they do. Perhaps if they experienced a little more love as children they would have sought to further their education, and become a little more accepting of the diversity of our great nation.
As we draw closer to the date of the General Election, and Barack Obama maintain his impressive lead, we begin to see the desperation of some followers of John McCain. Well, perhaps they do not support McCain; however, the do represent an extremely ugly facet of America.
Two white men were arrested for plotting an assassination attempt on Barack Obama. Two white men who obviously harbor a fear of a black man leading this nation. Two white men who hold a deeply rooted racial bias, and were obviously willing to make said bias known.
This is a shame. It is a shame because there are those in America who so fear the power of an educated African American that they are willing to make used of the cards provided to them by the GOP's favorite lobby organization in an attempt to ensure that said African American does not elevate to the highest office in the land.
This is a shame because these two white men probably hid behind the lie of being ones who believe in diversity.
You know what? I am going to jump off of the racial aspect of this event, and get onto what I feel to be a deeper problem in our nation.
People, be they black, white, yellow, green or polka dot, but people in this country seem to be only interested in one thing, that being self. Did we forget about the "Golden Rule"? Let us do unto others as we would expect others to do unto us? Face the facts, other than the native Americans, none of our ancestors really wanted to come to America.
The Pilgrims came because they were fleeing the tyranny of King George, and we know that the Africans were bought here against their will. The Mexicans came because the economy below the border made it nearly impossible to survive in Mexico. The Cubans came to flee a dictator. each culture has a story as to why they fled to America, but honestly, no one just stood up and said "Gee, it sure is a nice day to cross the Atlantic Ocean, let's go to America".
With that thought in mind, we should strive to accept each other, not as White Americans, Black Americans, Asian American, Hispanic Americans, or what ever, but as Americans, plain and simple, Americans.
Being Americans, it should not matter what ethnic background our President comes from. The only thing that should matter would be if the person, man or woman, can do the job. You know, right man for the job (well in this day in age, right person for the job)? The color of one's skin should not matter. It shouldn't, but to so many under educated racial supremacists, it does, and again that is a shame.
Perhaps if people would spend more time focussing on education, then the fires of racial ignorance would be easier to contain. It is so amazing what a simple course in American History can do to improve relations in this nation. Trouble is, people only want to learn a single portion of history, usually the portion that makes their position appear to be the right position.
People tend to shun away from the truth, instead of embracing it. Several southern middle class white people adore the Republican Party, but what they fail to realize is that it was the Republican Party who sought to break the financial back of the south, thus propelling our nation into the Civil War. Facts are fact, neither Jefferson Davis nor Stone Wall Jackson were Republicans. Although abolishing slavery was a good thing to do, the motives of the Northern Wiggers/Radical Republicans/Republican Party was not so much to provide a better quality of life for the slaves as it was to remove the engine that kept the economy of the south moving. Guess what? It worked. Without slave labor, the south could not move their crops, thus the economy of the south began to falter, and bullets began to fly. Amazing what one can learn from a history book.
Most typical college students and graduates are completely aware of the methods employed by the Republicans against the south in the years prior to the Civil War. Conversely, most people with less than a college education tend to see the Civil War as the event what the north tried to tell the south that they were not allowed to have slaves to work the field. No reference what so ever to the political affiliation of the north at that time.
Here is the bottom line, America; things aren't always as they seem, and education it the key to embracing the real America. Through education we find that 85-92% of all blood lines in America are mixed blood lines. Matter of factly speaking, my bloodline is a combination of African American, Caucasian, and Cherokee Indian. The more our nation progresses, the more the bloodlines become intermixed with one another. As a result, there is truly nothing purely anything in America anymore. As I stated previously, although the tones of our skin are a variety of shades, we are all, still simply Americans.
In closing, I ask forgiveness for the two white men arrested for plotting to kill Barack Obama. They are the product of an under educated, and under nurtured environment, ergo they know not what they do. Perhaps if they experienced a little more love as children they would have sought to further their education, and become a little more accepting of the diversity of our great nation.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
When The Gimmick Becomes The Show
In 2002, as a member of the Edward Waters College Triple Threat Marching Band, we participated in the Durham NC Battle of The Bands. There were several big named HBCU bands present. Johnson C. Smith University was there, as was Virginia State University, and North Carolina Central University, just to name a few. Fact of the matter is, the two babies in the show were my college, and Shaw University as we were both a year old at the time.
Considering the fact that we (Edward Waters College) were competing against established HBCU bands with rich histories, we decided to incorporate a gimmick. During the show, our "Purple Passion" dance team would be thrown off the field by a group of Extra Plus Sized women (actually members of the Edwards Waters College Choir), who would then mock the moves of the Purple Passion. This group of Plus Sized dancers became known as the "Purple Thunder". The title of Purple Thunder was intended to be a joke, to get the crowd involved in our show, but as the year progressed, people started asking for the Purple Thunder to perform in other shows with the band. Now, even in our present time, whenever the Triple Threat band performs, they are recognized as the "Edward Waters College Triple Threat Band Featuring The Purple Thunder". In short, the gimmick had become the show.
Why is that important? I am so glad you asked. We know that this year's Presidential Election has historic significance. Presently, Barack Obama (an African American, Christian man) has a double digit lead over John McCain. Indeed, it would appear that Barack Obama is poised to become the first African American President of the United States of America (apologies to Bill Clinton, but we will still allow Bill to consider himself the first "Black President". We love you Bill). On any account, the GOP/RNC refuses to be outdone.
The Gophers On Patrol/Racist Never Cease people decide the beast way to counter the momentum of the Barack Obama train would rest in John McCain running with a woman as his running mate. Not a bad idea at all, but instead of John McCain choosing a Rice, or a Dole, he elects to go with a gimmick. John McCain selected 1st term Governor Sarah Palin from the state of Alaska. When I say first term, I mean she has not so much as completed her first two years in office, and is still wet behind the ears.
So why would John McCain select an inexperienced, self professed "Hockey Mom" over Republican Women with more experience? The answer is really quite simple. Sarah Palin was meant to be the gimmick that would capture the "Hillary Voters", those who were disgruntle over the fact that Hillary pulled out of the campaign. Indeed, Sarah Palin is young, she is energetic, she is brash, but she is also a back stabbing little weasel who was merely waiting for an opportunity to steel the spotlight from John McCain.
Sarah Palin spoke against John McCain's position on gay marriages. We pretty much knew she would, after all, John McCain tends to rub the majority of the Republican Party the wrong way with his middle of the road views concerning gay marriages.
Sarah Palin has also taken an openly rogue approach to the campaign by increasing the distortion of the fact concerning Barack Obama. The good ole "Once a Terrorist, Always a Terrorist" style of statements relating to William Ayers, and the twisting of the facts regarding Barack Obama's involvement with Ayers several years after Ayers engaged in radical behavior. The facts illustrate that Barack Obama merely interacted with Ayers for one project involving the Chicago schools, nothing more, nothing less.
The bottom line is this America; Sarah Palin is treating this campaign as if she is the person running for President, and John McCain is her flunky. If the McCain campaign were a mid-day television series, Sarah Palin would be Oprah, and John McCain would be her Steadman. When we consider the fact that it appears the RNC appears to be abandoning the McCain ship and floating their own ads, one can only wonder if the Palin gimmick has now become the Republican Party Show for November. If I were to tie the McCain/Palin ticket to my opening example, John McCain is the ticket's Edward Waters College Triple Threat band, and Sarah Palin is the ticket's Purple Thunder. In short, Sarah Palin is he gimmick which became the show.
Considering the fact that we (Edward Waters College) were competing against established HBCU bands with rich histories, we decided to incorporate a gimmick. During the show, our "Purple Passion" dance team would be thrown off the field by a group of Extra Plus Sized women (actually members of the Edwards Waters College Choir), who would then mock the moves of the Purple Passion. This group of Plus Sized dancers became known as the "Purple Thunder". The title of Purple Thunder was intended to be a joke, to get the crowd involved in our show, but as the year progressed, people started asking for the Purple Thunder to perform in other shows with the band. Now, even in our present time, whenever the Triple Threat band performs, they are recognized as the "Edward Waters College Triple Threat Band Featuring The Purple Thunder". In short, the gimmick had become the show.
Why is that important? I am so glad you asked. We know that this year's Presidential Election has historic significance. Presently, Barack Obama (an African American, Christian man) has a double digit lead over John McCain. Indeed, it would appear that Barack Obama is poised to become the first African American President of the United States of America (apologies to Bill Clinton, but we will still allow Bill to consider himself the first "Black President". We love you Bill). On any account, the GOP/RNC refuses to be outdone.
The Gophers On Patrol/Racist Never Cease people decide the beast way to counter the momentum of the Barack Obama train would rest in John McCain running with a woman as his running mate. Not a bad idea at all, but instead of John McCain choosing a Rice, or a Dole, he elects to go with a gimmick. John McCain selected 1st term Governor Sarah Palin from the state of Alaska. When I say first term, I mean she has not so much as completed her first two years in office, and is still wet behind the ears.
So why would John McCain select an inexperienced, self professed "Hockey Mom" over Republican Women with more experience? The answer is really quite simple. Sarah Palin was meant to be the gimmick that would capture the "Hillary Voters", those who were disgruntle over the fact that Hillary pulled out of the campaign. Indeed, Sarah Palin is young, she is energetic, she is brash, but she is also a back stabbing little weasel who was merely waiting for an opportunity to steel the spotlight from John McCain.
Sarah Palin spoke against John McCain's position on gay marriages. We pretty much knew she would, after all, John McCain tends to rub the majority of the Republican Party the wrong way with his middle of the road views concerning gay marriages.
Sarah Palin has also taken an openly rogue approach to the campaign by increasing the distortion of the fact concerning Barack Obama. The good ole "Once a Terrorist, Always a Terrorist" style of statements relating to William Ayers, and the twisting of the facts regarding Barack Obama's involvement with Ayers several years after Ayers engaged in radical behavior. The facts illustrate that Barack Obama merely interacted with Ayers for one project involving the Chicago schools, nothing more, nothing less.
The bottom line is this America; Sarah Palin is treating this campaign as if she is the person running for President, and John McCain is her flunky. If the McCain campaign were a mid-day television series, Sarah Palin would be Oprah, and John McCain would be her Steadman. When we consider the fact that it appears the RNC appears to be abandoning the McCain ship and floating their own ads, one can only wonder if the Palin gimmick has now become the Republican Party Show for November. If I were to tie the McCain/Palin ticket to my opening example, John McCain is the ticket's Edward Waters College Triple Threat band, and Sarah Palin is the ticket's Purple Thunder. In short, Sarah Palin is he gimmick which became the show.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Bump Them If They Can't Take A Joke
In all of my years living and breathing, some things never cease to amaze me. Take, for instance, the episode of Family Guy which aired on Sunday October 19, 2008. In this episode, Stewie and Brian were time warped back into the middle of World War II and the Nazi occupied territories.
During this episode, there was a scene where Stewie and Brian hood winked a couple of Nazi troopers and stole their uniforms. Ironically, Stewie's uniform had a McCain-Palin button, and Stewie commented on how weird that sight was. Now, to many Americans that scene was funny; however, the Republican National Committee seems to feel it was extremely off colored and took immediate offense to the skit.
Ok, perhaps I am missing something in the translation here. We are talking about the RNC, you know, the same people who said that Barack Obama is pals with terrorist (of course the Republicans failed to take into account that David Duke, by his affiliation with the KKK is essentially a terrorist). This is the same RNC who believes it is ok for people to ride around on motor cycles with t-shirts reading "Nigger Please, it's called a White House". This is the same RNC who's commercials paint Barack Obama as a radical black man who wants to put your white soldiers in harms way without the proper equipment. The is the same RNC who identified Barack Obama as "That One". This is the same RNC who does not seem to mind racial rants at the McCain rallies. All of this, and yet they have the nerve to take offense when Seth MacFarlane takes a swipe at them in a cartoon? What the hell am I missing?
Seth MacFarlane often ticks me off with his low brow portrayals of minorities on Family Guy, and American Dad. Oh yes, at times I want to write a flaming letter to Mr. MacFarlane, but I take one point into consideration, that point being it is simply entertainment, and one person's point of view, truly not a reflection on who I am in reality. Apparently, the Republicans became a little touchy over Mr. MacFarlane's jab at the McCain-Palin ticket. News flash Republicans, It Is A Joke. If it struck a nerve, then "Bump You If You Can't Take A Joke"! I used the word bump because I realize that there are some who may not be able to stomach the word which should have filled that part of the sentence.
Here is the bottom line America. The Republicans do not have a problem dishing out the slanderous barbs and comments, but they sure as hell have a hard time swallowing their own medicine. You are public officials, and unless I missed understood the rights we are so granted in this country, public officials are subject to the same scrutiny as everyone else. As I see it, if you can not take the darts thrown at you, stop throwing them at other people. Seth MacFarlane's goal is to make people laugh, and that is what he did, nothing more, nothing less. So what if it was a slam on McCain-Palin, big deal. I don't recall the Republicans taking offense when Family Guy poked fun at Bill Cosby, of Jesse Jackson, why get your panties in a wad now? I mean honestly, "Fornicate You If You Can't Take A Joke".
During this episode, there was a scene where Stewie and Brian hood winked a couple of Nazi troopers and stole their uniforms. Ironically, Stewie's uniform had a McCain-Palin button, and Stewie commented on how weird that sight was. Now, to many Americans that scene was funny; however, the Republican National Committee seems to feel it was extremely off colored and took immediate offense to the skit.
Ok, perhaps I am missing something in the translation here. We are talking about the RNC, you know, the same people who said that Barack Obama is pals with terrorist (of course the Republicans failed to take into account that David Duke, by his affiliation with the KKK is essentially a terrorist). This is the same RNC who believes it is ok for people to ride around on motor cycles with t-shirts reading "Nigger Please, it's called a White House". This is the same RNC who's commercials paint Barack Obama as a radical black man who wants to put your white soldiers in harms way without the proper equipment. The is the same RNC who identified Barack Obama as "That One". This is the same RNC who does not seem to mind racial rants at the McCain rallies. All of this, and yet they have the nerve to take offense when Seth MacFarlane takes a swipe at them in a cartoon? What the hell am I missing?
Seth MacFarlane often ticks me off with his low brow portrayals of minorities on Family Guy, and American Dad. Oh yes, at times I want to write a flaming letter to Mr. MacFarlane, but I take one point into consideration, that point being it is simply entertainment, and one person's point of view, truly not a reflection on who I am in reality. Apparently, the Republicans became a little touchy over Mr. MacFarlane's jab at the McCain-Palin ticket. News flash Republicans, It Is A Joke. If it struck a nerve, then "Bump You If You Can't Take A Joke"! I used the word bump because I realize that there are some who may not be able to stomach the word which should have filled that part of the sentence.
Here is the bottom line America. The Republicans do not have a problem dishing out the slanderous barbs and comments, but they sure as hell have a hard time swallowing their own medicine. You are public officials, and unless I missed understood the rights we are so granted in this country, public officials are subject to the same scrutiny as everyone else. As I see it, if you can not take the darts thrown at you, stop throwing them at other people. Seth MacFarlane's goal is to make people laugh, and that is what he did, nothing more, nothing less. So what if it was a slam on McCain-Palin, big deal. I don't recall the Republicans taking offense when Family Guy poked fun at Bill Cosby, of Jesse Jackson, why get your panties in a wad now? I mean honestly, "Fornicate You If You Can't Take A Joke".
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Race of The Race
As America craws ever so closer to the General Election on November 4, 2008, we begin to see the true face of America emerge. That face was so hideous, that we ducked it beneath the sand in shame. Many kept it there (beneath the sand), and though it peeked out from time to time, it primarily remained in the shadows, until now.
Although issues such as the war, the economy and taxes are grand topics during this election cycle, they are minor issues when we consider the specter of racism in America.
See, the shame of it all is this; here we are, America, a country who professes to be the world's greatest democracy, and we can not get pass something as trivial as the color of a person's skin. We have jackasses riding around with T-Shirts spewing the N Word as if it was common place and accepted. We have the GOP telling the country that a woman who struggled to get her BA degree is more qualified to lead the country than a man with a JD from Harvard. The problem is America is confusing the slogan "Right Man For The Job" with "White Man For The Job". When are we going to get beyond race in this country?
Allow me to be fair, not everyone in America is a racist, just a minute percentage of the population; however, that minute percentage is the portion of the population that seems to get the greatest amount of exposure in the press. In the eyes of the media, why interview an educated and highly articulate American (white, black or other), when they can put the microphone in front of "June Bug" or "Billy Bob", or some other low brow high school drop out with an opinion? Oh? Did I just strike a nerve with some white supremacist? Not my fault that most of the KKK, Aryan Nation, and Skin Heads have less than an eight grade education. Nothing stopped them from staying in school and learning the truth about the people they encounter on a daily basis.
So hear we are, in the throws of the most historically significant election our nation has ever witnessed, and our banner is soiled by the spirit of racism pulling it's head from below the ground. The worst part of it all is the McCain campaign is feeding the beast, and using it to control how people will vote in November. Consider the campaign ads. McCain is portraying Barack Obama and an insensitive black liberal who is placing your young white soldiers in danger. McCain portrays Obama as the evil black man who will raise taxes on white people. Give us a break.
First and foremost, there is nothing pure anything in America anymore. That's right KKK, one would be willing to bet that if you took a random sample of 20 members, had them comb their family trees for 7 generations, chances are they will find that their alleged pure white blood line is tainted with something. Surely you do not believe that great, great granddaddy did not sample something other than great, great grand mother, do you?
Here is the bottom line America. We have come too far from where we started to still be dealing with the evils of racism, or any other ism in America in this, our present day. We, as Americans, need to set the example for others to follow. It is a damned shame when Fidel Castro, a known dictator, goes on record by calling America a racist nation. It won't be long before other nations call us for what we are, a nation that permits domestic terrorist organizations like the KKK, Aryan Nation, Skin Heads, Black Israelites, Nations of Islam and others, while waging a stand against third world countries who we want the rest of the world to see as terrorists. We stand on a platform that all men are created equally, yet we do not feel a black man can sit in the White House.
Maybe it is deeper than that. Perhaps many of the good ole boy network are afraid that a black man is going to do what 42 white men could not, and that is fix this country. Maybe they are afraid that a black man will finally make the tax code fair to all Americans, and not just the select few. Maybe they are afraid that a black man will do away with the white hoods and bald heads. Hell, maybe many of the good ole boy network are just simply afraid of the dark. Who knows, but they need to get past that fear.
Now, before I close, I would like to say that not every McCain supported fits into the category of the under educated, low brow, racist. There is the college educated, professional middle class and higher who look beyond race to the things that matter most to America. They are the business owners, the Mom & Pop Store owners, the school teachers, and others who selected McCain based on a critical review of his qualifications. I applaud those supporters of John McCain, for they truly have America's best interest at heart. As for the others who thrive on racism, be so warned that your kind is heading for extintion. America is a melting pot of multple races and cultures. Those who are willing to embrace diversities are the future of America. Those who are not willing to embrace diversities are marked to become a page in some dusty history book on a library shelf.
Although issues such as the war, the economy and taxes are grand topics during this election cycle, they are minor issues when we consider the specter of racism in America.
See, the shame of it all is this; here we are, America, a country who professes to be the world's greatest democracy, and we can not get pass something as trivial as the color of a person's skin. We have jackasses riding around with T-Shirts spewing the N Word as if it was common place and accepted. We have the GOP telling the country that a woman who struggled to get her BA degree is more qualified to lead the country than a man with a JD from Harvard. The problem is America is confusing the slogan "Right Man For The Job" with "White Man For The Job". When are we going to get beyond race in this country?
Allow me to be fair, not everyone in America is a racist, just a minute percentage of the population; however, that minute percentage is the portion of the population that seems to get the greatest amount of exposure in the press. In the eyes of the media, why interview an educated and highly articulate American (white, black or other), when they can put the microphone in front of "June Bug" or "Billy Bob", or some other low brow high school drop out with an opinion? Oh? Did I just strike a nerve with some white supremacist? Not my fault that most of the KKK, Aryan Nation, and Skin Heads have less than an eight grade education. Nothing stopped them from staying in school and learning the truth about the people they encounter on a daily basis.
So hear we are, in the throws of the most historically significant election our nation has ever witnessed, and our banner is soiled by the spirit of racism pulling it's head from below the ground. The worst part of it all is the McCain campaign is feeding the beast, and using it to control how people will vote in November. Consider the campaign ads. McCain is portraying Barack Obama and an insensitive black liberal who is placing your young white soldiers in danger. McCain portrays Obama as the evil black man who will raise taxes on white people. Give us a break.
First and foremost, there is nothing pure anything in America anymore. That's right KKK, one would be willing to bet that if you took a random sample of 20 members, had them comb their family trees for 7 generations, chances are they will find that their alleged pure white blood line is tainted with something. Surely you do not believe that great, great granddaddy did not sample something other than great, great grand mother, do you?
Here is the bottom line America. We have come too far from where we started to still be dealing with the evils of racism, or any other ism in America in this, our present day. We, as Americans, need to set the example for others to follow. It is a damned shame when Fidel Castro, a known dictator, goes on record by calling America a racist nation. It won't be long before other nations call us for what we are, a nation that permits domestic terrorist organizations like the KKK, Aryan Nation, Skin Heads, Black Israelites, Nations of Islam and others, while waging a stand against third world countries who we want the rest of the world to see as terrorists. We stand on a platform that all men are created equally, yet we do not feel a black man can sit in the White House.
Maybe it is deeper than that. Perhaps many of the good ole boy network are afraid that a black man is going to do what 42 white men could not, and that is fix this country. Maybe they are afraid that a black man will finally make the tax code fair to all Americans, and not just the select few. Maybe they are afraid that a black man will do away with the white hoods and bald heads. Hell, maybe many of the good ole boy network are just simply afraid of the dark. Who knows, but they need to get past that fear.
Now, before I close, I would like to say that not every McCain supported fits into the category of the under educated, low brow, racist. There is the college educated, professional middle class and higher who look beyond race to the things that matter most to America. They are the business owners, the Mom & Pop Store owners, the school teachers, and others who selected McCain based on a critical review of his qualifications. I applaud those supporters of John McCain, for they truly have America's best interest at heart. As for the others who thrive on racism, be so warned that your kind is heading for extintion. America is a melting pot of multple races and cultures. Those who are willing to embrace diversities are the future of America. Those who are not willing to embrace diversities are marked to become a page in some dusty history book on a library shelf.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Two Down, One To Go
We are now two Presidential debates down, and with one to go. Is it just me, or does it appear that Senator John McCain is simply missing the bus on a few (quite a few) issues?
Here we are in a debate format that favors John McCain, that being the town hall setting, and McCain is more focused on being every body's buddy than he is on accurately defending his positions on the issues.
We completely realize that the economy is going to be the Achilles Heal of Senator McCain, but honestly, did he have to show it so openly? He traded volley for volley with Senator Obama over taxes and the economy, and in the end, Obama fed the economy down McCain's throat with a shovel. Now, in fairness to Senator McCain, he presented a suggestion to have the federal government buy up toxic mortgages, thus giving the average main street Joe the ability to renegotiate their mortgages at the present diminished value of the property. Not a bad suggestion, although that is what the $700 Billion Dollar bailout is supposed to be primarily geared towards anyway. Still, let's give McCain credit where credit is due. And let's give him a hand slap where a hand slap is due.
During the first debate, Conservatives lamb basted Senator Obama for calling Senator McCain by his first name on a few occasions. They were right, in a professional setting such a s a debate, one should never refer to his or her opponent in the familiar, but at least Barack referred to John McCain in the familiar. Senator McCain, on the other hand, referred to Senator Obama and "That One". What did Senator McCain intend to imply by saying "That One"? Did he mean to refer to Barack Obama as an uppity freedman ex-slave who has forgotten his place? Hey , call a spade a spade, but most white supremacist refer to powerful and educated black people by such terms as "That One". Hell, I am surprised that Senator McCain did not refer to Senator Obama as "Boy", but then again, "That One" is not that far from that term Boy. This is not the first time that the McCain campaign has been accused of racial indifference, after all, Sarah Palin openly, and without basis in the facts, accused Senator Obama of affiliating with domestic terrorist. By the way, aren't the Klu Klux Klan and Aryan Nation domestic terrorist? The simple answer is yes. Aren't several members of the Klu Klux Klan and the Aryan Nation card carrying members of the National Rifle Association? The simple answer is yes. Isn't the NRA one of the strongest supporters of the GOP Ticket? The simple answer is yes. When considering those facts, does that not indicate that Senator McCain, by virtue of his party affiliation, is openly friendly with domestic terrorist? Oh, and let us not bring to light to point that Cindy McCain held stock in Sudan all the way up to the point just before John McCain won his party's nomination. Just a little food for thought.
Now, Senators Obama and McCain did agree on one point, that being Iran is a threat. Ding Dong!! Iran kept a war going in the Persian Gulf for more than 8 years, and so did Iraq. Iran's government is extremely radical. Iran talks a lot of crap. Iran thumbs their nose at America, but the question is are they stupid enough to try to build nuclear weapons? Both John McCain and Barack Obama agree that Iran can not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons. Here's the deal America, you must a bases from which to deploy a large scale nuclear attack if you want to have any kind of strategic impact. If intelligence reflects that Iran is pushing toward developing nuclear weapons, then wipe out their military infrastructure. Planes need bases to launch from, ship need ports to deploy from, and ground forces must be in sufficient numbers to accomplish whatever mission they are assigned. Hit their military establishments, and in the words of Admiral Ace Lyons, Bomb Them Back To The Stone Age. After that, bring the troops home, and keep our money home. We should never pay to rebuild any other country who picks a fight with us. That is like a bully picking a fight with your child at school, your child beat the living hell out of the bully, and you pay the bully's hospital bill. Tell me where that is right?
Both men made a good showing in this, the second Presidential Debate, but if we were looking at it from a point stand point, Senator Barack Obama spanked Senator John McCain's butt a second time in a row. Now, in all fairness, Senator McCain may be saving his best assault for last, but let's be real, the US tried that in Vietnam, and we all know what happened as a result of our country not hitting hard enough early in the game. Bottom Line, McCain had two chances to put the out of reach of Barack Obama. He failed both times, and if he thinks Barack Obama is going to do anything other than deliver a knock out punch in the third debate, then McCain has another thought coming.
America, this in one hell of an election cycle. Unlike in 2000 when most of us were forced to choose the lesser of two evils, I find myself in this election choosing the greater of two goods. I like both men, Obama and McCain. I also like a good fight, and to be really honest with you, I do not feel McCain put up a good fight in either debate to this point. Perhaps he needs to put some blood red lipstick on his pit bull, goodness knows Barack Obama is already tossing rare meat to his Rottweiler.
Here we are in a debate format that favors John McCain, that being the town hall setting, and McCain is more focused on being every body's buddy than he is on accurately defending his positions on the issues.
We completely realize that the economy is going to be the Achilles Heal of Senator McCain, but honestly, did he have to show it so openly? He traded volley for volley with Senator Obama over taxes and the economy, and in the end, Obama fed the economy down McCain's throat with a shovel. Now, in fairness to Senator McCain, he presented a suggestion to have the federal government buy up toxic mortgages, thus giving the average main street Joe the ability to renegotiate their mortgages at the present diminished value of the property. Not a bad suggestion, although that is what the $700 Billion Dollar bailout is supposed to be primarily geared towards anyway. Still, let's give McCain credit where credit is due. And let's give him a hand slap where a hand slap is due.
During the first debate, Conservatives lamb basted Senator Obama for calling Senator McCain by his first name on a few occasions. They were right, in a professional setting such a s a debate, one should never refer to his or her opponent in the familiar, but at least Barack referred to John McCain in the familiar. Senator McCain, on the other hand, referred to Senator Obama and "That One". What did Senator McCain intend to imply by saying "That One"? Did he mean to refer to Barack Obama as an uppity freedman ex-slave who has forgotten his place? Hey , call a spade a spade, but most white supremacist refer to powerful and educated black people by such terms as "That One". Hell, I am surprised that Senator McCain did not refer to Senator Obama as "Boy", but then again, "That One" is not that far from that term Boy. This is not the first time that the McCain campaign has been accused of racial indifference, after all, Sarah Palin openly, and without basis in the facts, accused Senator Obama of affiliating with domestic terrorist. By the way, aren't the Klu Klux Klan and Aryan Nation domestic terrorist? The simple answer is yes. Aren't several members of the Klu Klux Klan and the Aryan Nation card carrying members of the National Rifle Association? The simple answer is yes. Isn't the NRA one of the strongest supporters of the GOP Ticket? The simple answer is yes. When considering those facts, does that not indicate that Senator McCain, by virtue of his party affiliation, is openly friendly with domestic terrorist? Oh, and let us not bring to light to point that Cindy McCain held stock in Sudan all the way up to the point just before John McCain won his party's nomination. Just a little food for thought.
Now, Senators Obama and McCain did agree on one point, that being Iran is a threat. Ding Dong!! Iran kept a war going in the Persian Gulf for more than 8 years, and so did Iraq. Iran's government is extremely radical. Iran talks a lot of crap. Iran thumbs their nose at America, but the question is are they stupid enough to try to build nuclear weapons? Both John McCain and Barack Obama agree that Iran can not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons. Here's the deal America, you must a bases from which to deploy a large scale nuclear attack if you want to have any kind of strategic impact. If intelligence reflects that Iran is pushing toward developing nuclear weapons, then wipe out their military infrastructure. Planes need bases to launch from, ship need ports to deploy from, and ground forces must be in sufficient numbers to accomplish whatever mission they are assigned. Hit their military establishments, and in the words of Admiral Ace Lyons, Bomb Them Back To The Stone Age. After that, bring the troops home, and keep our money home. We should never pay to rebuild any other country who picks a fight with us. That is like a bully picking a fight with your child at school, your child beat the living hell out of the bully, and you pay the bully's hospital bill. Tell me where that is right?
Both men made a good showing in this, the second Presidential Debate, but if we were looking at it from a point stand point, Senator Barack Obama spanked Senator John McCain's butt a second time in a row. Now, in all fairness, Senator McCain may be saving his best assault for last, but let's be real, the US tried that in Vietnam, and we all know what happened as a result of our country not hitting hard enough early in the game. Bottom Line, McCain had two chances to put the out of reach of Barack Obama. He failed both times, and if he thinks Barack Obama is going to do anything other than deliver a knock out punch in the third debate, then McCain has another thought coming.
America, this in one hell of an election cycle. Unlike in 2000 when most of us were forced to choose the lesser of two evils, I find myself in this election choosing the greater of two goods. I like both men, Obama and McCain. I also like a good fight, and to be really honest with you, I do not feel McCain put up a good fight in either debate to this point. Perhaps he needs to put some blood red lipstick on his pit bull, goodness knows Barack Obama is already tossing rare meat to his Rottweiler.
Friday, October 03, 2008
The Vice Presidential Showdwn
Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin met each other in an open forum for the first and only vice presidential debate on October 2, 2008. This encounter pitted a political veteran of 30 plus years against the first term governor of Alaska, who by her own admission is challenged in the area of experience. Tenure of service aside, the real question on the minds of the American people is how did each candidate do?
I have witnessed several debates in my lifetime, most of which tended to lean in one direction or another. The Palin/Biden debate was not what I would consider a typical debate as I know it. The Vice Presidential debate was a contrast of Sarah Palin's youthful energy and Joe Biden's experience, which actually made for a pretty interesting exchange.
Both candidates were asked questions ranging from the present state of the economy, to how each felt he or she would perform in the office of Vice President. Some topics, to the dismay of the moderator, received more attention than others. This was especially true with regards to the subject of taxes.
Each candidate systematically pointed the finger at the other candidate's principal insisting that they did not have a grasp on what is best for the middle class. Between you, me and the fence post, I can not think of a single president, Republican or Democrat, who actually put a tax plan in place that benefited the middle class. The candidates spent more than 30 minutes going back and forth over taxes, and finally surrendered the topic without any clearly defined answers that would actually be deemed beneficial to the middle class.
What debate would be a debate without a discussion of the War on Terror, and G. W. Bush's lie that led to more than 4500 US Service People giving their lives in Iraq? The candidates played tennis with this topic for a while as well. Again, the blame game, but this time for the sympathy of the families of military people, was played on both sides of the isle. Both McCain and Obama voted to withhold funding for the war in Iraq, but for different, yet eerily similar reasons. Obama voted against a funding bill because it did not contain a time line for the safe and effective withdrawal of our troops, and McCain voted against a funding bill because it contained a time line. Six of One, Half Dozen of another, Luke Warm, Half Cold, the same thing. The problem with politics is that the people running for office, on both sides, only feed the people information that paints the person delivering the message in a favorable light. Our forces were sent to Iraq based on a lie, and the person who told the lie can not figure out how to get us out, that is what the problem is.
Let us take a look at the poise of each candidate. Watching the VP Candidates debate, I kind of got the feeling of watching Obama and McCain debate with the roles being reversed. Senator Biden had the presence of a true lawyer, while Governor Palin, well let's face it, had the presence of a cheerleader. Not her fault at all, she has teen aged children, and thus has to be their biggest cheerleader. Senator Biden, like Senator McCain, played the game with a Senate style poker face, while Governor Palin showed America she was just like us, the Joe Six-Packs and the Soccer Moms. Funny, but I can see Sarah Palin in a Mini-Van with a soccer ball decal slapped on the back of it. Getting back to the debate. Each candidate showed emotion, and at a few points it appeared Governor Palin was near tears. Well, her head was sunken, her jaw quivered, and her eyes were red, kind of look like she was on the verge of crying to me; they again, what do I know, I was not the one debating against the battle hardened Senator from Delaware. Palin's responses to several questions were emotionally based, while Biden hit her upside the head with the facts. The Governor could do little to dispute much of what the Senator was saying because, and let's face this, Senator Biden has first hand knowledge of the voting records of both McCain and Obama. Afterall, Senator Biden preceded both men in the senate.
So what is the bottom line, America? The Bottom line is this, both candidates held their own extremely well. From a layman's perspective, Governor Palin looked a little better simply because she was a near 50% underdog coming into the debate. For her to finish evenly with Senator Biden was a major accomplishment, and one not to be taken lightly. Governor Palin is a fighter, and Senator Biden is a warrior. Either way, we are looking at people who would stand tall for the sake of the nation, regardless of whomever becomes the Vice President.
I have witnessed several debates in my lifetime, most of which tended to lean in one direction or another. The Palin/Biden debate was not what I would consider a typical debate as I know it. The Vice Presidential debate was a contrast of Sarah Palin's youthful energy and Joe Biden's experience, which actually made for a pretty interesting exchange.
Both candidates were asked questions ranging from the present state of the economy, to how each felt he or she would perform in the office of Vice President. Some topics, to the dismay of the moderator, received more attention than others. This was especially true with regards to the subject of taxes.
Each candidate systematically pointed the finger at the other candidate's principal insisting that they did not have a grasp on what is best for the middle class. Between you, me and the fence post, I can not think of a single president, Republican or Democrat, who actually put a tax plan in place that benefited the middle class. The candidates spent more than 30 minutes going back and forth over taxes, and finally surrendered the topic without any clearly defined answers that would actually be deemed beneficial to the middle class.
What debate would be a debate without a discussion of the War on Terror, and G. W. Bush's lie that led to more than 4500 US Service People giving their lives in Iraq? The candidates played tennis with this topic for a while as well. Again, the blame game, but this time for the sympathy of the families of military people, was played on both sides of the isle. Both McCain and Obama voted to withhold funding for the war in Iraq, but for different, yet eerily similar reasons. Obama voted against a funding bill because it did not contain a time line for the safe and effective withdrawal of our troops, and McCain voted against a funding bill because it contained a time line. Six of One, Half Dozen of another, Luke Warm, Half Cold, the same thing. The problem with politics is that the people running for office, on both sides, only feed the people information that paints the person delivering the message in a favorable light. Our forces were sent to Iraq based on a lie, and the person who told the lie can not figure out how to get us out, that is what the problem is.
Let us take a look at the poise of each candidate. Watching the VP Candidates debate, I kind of got the feeling of watching Obama and McCain debate with the roles being reversed. Senator Biden had the presence of a true lawyer, while Governor Palin, well let's face it, had the presence of a cheerleader. Not her fault at all, she has teen aged children, and thus has to be their biggest cheerleader. Senator Biden, like Senator McCain, played the game with a Senate style poker face, while Governor Palin showed America she was just like us, the Joe Six-Packs and the Soccer Moms. Funny, but I can see Sarah Palin in a Mini-Van with a soccer ball decal slapped on the back of it. Getting back to the debate. Each candidate showed emotion, and at a few points it appeared Governor Palin was near tears. Well, her head was sunken, her jaw quivered, and her eyes were red, kind of look like she was on the verge of crying to me; they again, what do I know, I was not the one debating against the battle hardened Senator from Delaware. Palin's responses to several questions were emotionally based, while Biden hit her upside the head with the facts. The Governor could do little to dispute much of what the Senator was saying because, and let's face this, Senator Biden has first hand knowledge of the voting records of both McCain and Obama. Afterall, Senator Biden preceded both men in the senate.
So what is the bottom line, America? The Bottom line is this, both candidates held their own extremely well. From a layman's perspective, Governor Palin looked a little better simply because she was a near 50% underdog coming into the debate. For her to finish evenly with Senator Biden was a major accomplishment, and one not to be taken lightly. Governor Palin is a fighter, and Senator Biden is a warrior. Either way, we are looking at people who would stand tall for the sake of the nation, regardless of whomever becomes the Vice President.
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