60 Search Results for "commentary"

• SECOND APPEAL TO TOM JOYNER

  • From: Mliza
  • Description:

    Dear Mr. Joyner, First of all, Mr. Joyner, I still dearly love and respect you. But again, I have a problem that needs to be addressed by you ASAP: The last time I sent you a question/remark about D. L. Hugley's TV program being canceled, you responded right away. Now that I have written to you about your own "shortcomings" in reference to the Inauguration DAY 2009 website, I get no response at all. This is quite disturbing. Did you not receive it? Do I need to send it again? I do need to hear something from you. In addition, I published the letter on my page of the website so others who are active will know about this initiative. We all need to hear something concrete from you. I realize that you are an extremely hard working man in all that you do -- which is considerable – but it is precisely why we appeal to you for your continued support. Moreover, we believe the site is well worth it. In respect to the detractors you received on the show from the failure of Black voters to participate in the state and local elections yesterday, I did not really blame you as others did -- how could we? But it was nevertheless a reality to observe that you did not bring the strength of your usual impetus to bear upon this election as you did for the presidential one as well as other concerns. Now we can't ignore that fact. You did not send your staff all over the country, as you normally do for these things, etc. But we can still only blame ourselves for our failure to come out in numbers to continue to effect change by participating in the voting process. In fact, to tell you the truth, I myself was so uninterested in the local elections that I did not actually keep up with it, and it was only because of your show’s commentary that I eventually forced myself and get out and vote before the polls closed. But I could only vote for two main positions of my interest because I had no information on the other two, so my vote only “half counted” in a way, and I felt rather ashamed of myself. So you see I do relate to the people who did not go out to vote or thought it was not important at this stage of the game. We just thought that things would take care of themselves. But we were wrong -- AGAIN! Yesterday was INDEED a wake-up call for all of us. But also for you, Tom Joyner. Unfortunately, I have to say that for all of your worth and work, it seems that WE STILL NEED YOU to urge and prompt us to do what we need to do. We have to take our LEADERS wherever we can get them these days, and it appears we have to rely on them until we become leaders ourselves. So please don’t give up on us. We can and still be moved to do the right thing when the time comes – I hope. But often we seem to wait until the last minute to do it. But if you had kept up the interest of the website INAUGURATION DAY 2009 -- or even changed its name to include continual diligence and vigilance on the political forefront, we as a group might have been able to speak out and help in so many ways. PLEASE RESPOND TO MY APPEAL TO YOU FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT. So until I receive a response from you, I believe I shall resend the former message at least once a week until you do. Please understand my concern. And thank you once again.

  • Blog post
  • 2 weeks ago
  • Views: 10

• Should America Fear Muslims an

  • From: TheSarge1960
  • Description:
    This particular article is not the article that I intended to submit for today’s readers, however, after receiving a disturbing email this morning from a man that I’ve called friend for over two decades and who I personally believe has morphed into a caricature of hate and fear that is reflective of much of the confusion and anger that we see on television and hear on radio in America today, well…again I am compelled to respond in the form of commentary that I hope will promote thought and civil discourse which will prevent that metaphorical “powder keg” from exploding across small towns and big cities in the United States.
     
    This is what the email stated: 
     
    “I feel better now; we need to keep those crazy Christians in check, right?”
     
    “America has finally lost it”.....
     
    “Repeat after me”....
     
    Obama is not a Muslim, Obama is not a Muslim, Obama is not a Muslim,
     
    Obama is not a Muslim, Obama is not a Muslim…
     
    In order to keep my friend’s email in proper context I should explain that embedded in his email is a link islamoncapitolhill.com/Home_Page.html that connects to a website that I assume was created by a pro American Muslim organization. The website announces a planned day of Muslim prayer which is scheduled to be held at the U.S. Capital on September 25, 2009. Upon connection to the link, in addition to what is written, one will hear what appears to be a prayer in Arabic, which to some Americans who are unfamiliar with the Arabic language, may sound sinister and threatening. This is the gist of the website's opening statement:
     
    “The objective of this gathering is to invite the Muslim communities and friends of Islam to express and illustrate the wonderful diversity of Islam. We intend to manifest Islam’s majestic spiritual principals as revealed by Allah to our beloved prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) of Arabia. Likewise, we intend to inspire a new generation of Muslim to work for the greater good of all people, regardless of race, religion or national origin”.
     
    In addition to the proclamation of a day of prayer made in the narrative, the website also gives an itinerary of planned events for that particular day. Motivated to carefully review the website after reading the false allegation that President Obama is a Muslim, I thoroughly searched but could not find any endorsement of this planned event by the President or any of his cabinet members. 
     
    As a professed Christian, I personally do not feel threatened by this event, nor would I feel threatened by any other religious organization / faith that planned to have a peaceful rally at our nation’s Capital. However, for individuals whose agenda includes emasculating the President and disseminating seeds of fear and hate, this is another opportunity to prey on Americans that may not be fortunate enough to be able to separate fact from fiction. I’m not a soothsayer, however; as debate on national health care reform reaches a boiling point, I understand and can envision how tactics of spreading misinformation and fear about President Obama can distract the average American from staying focused on an issue that will ultimately affect tens of millions of fellow Americans who are concerned about not having sufficient health care coverage.
       
    In regard to the email that I received this morning, President Obama has empathically stated that he is a Christian. I find it hypocritical and disingenuous that former President Bush was not accused of being a Muslim when he held an Iftar dinner (refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan) at the White House during his Presidency. www.wrmea.com/archives/janfeb2002/0201082.html  The million dollar question is, why is Obama being accused of being a Muslim and Bush, in light of officially honoring the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, when he served as the President of the United States, hasn't? An image of Jack Nicholson’s performance as the defiant Colonel in the movie, “A Few Good Men” comes to mind when Mr. Nicholson proclaimed to a relentless Tom Cruise, “You can’t handle the truth”. Inquiring minds want to know what you think about the planned Muslim event at the Nation’s Capital which is scheduled on September 25, 2009. 
     
    Is this event something that Americans should fear? Or is the rally being used as fodder for opponents of the President who rely on “misinformation” as means to boost their own agenda and negatively manipulate the minds of Americans who are forced to deal with near record unemployment and an uncertain future?  As I write this commentary there is no doubt in my mind that my friend’s email will be sent to untold numbers of fellow Americans who may become confused as to what to believe. In lieu of some American factions portraying most Muslims as the “Boogie Man” and with an ever increasing effort on their part to associate President Obama as being an undercover Muslim, does my friend’s particular brand of propaganda instigate violence against the President and his family?  
  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 24

• Moving...

  • From: E_Joyce
  • Description:

    I am moving my blogging to my website www.moorehamenterprises.yolasite.com and welcome everyone who enjoyed my writing and commentary to visit me there.  I am also on Facebook and Twitter, as well as YouTube and I do comment and blog daily on Huffington Post and feed my comments to both FB and Twitter.   So come and "friend or fan" me there.  But on rare occasions I will be back to comment here as well.

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 32
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• PRINCESSES, FROGS AND RACIAL I

  • From: E_Joyce
  • Description:

    As I observe the racially motivated insults  in the last few days, such as First Lady Michelle Obama (insulted by a SC GOPer) and the President insulted by some government employee forwarding an image of all the Presidents that depict President Obama as a pair of eyes open in a dark room, I wonder.  I have written about the matter of this Disney film a couple of years ago, when it was nothing more than a thought.  Even wrote a letter to them in hopes that they would get this right, by not giving us what they want us to have, but giving us what we want: A great and positive image of a real princess of color and African descent.  To the credit of a couple of the Disney board members, a couple of them asked to be involved in the development of the film but were refused by the two men creating the film.  I was discussing my thoghts with my  business partner, who has twins, one of whom is a little girl. He'd taken them to the movies where a trailer of The Princess and the Frog was shown.  His little girl asked him: Why would the princesshave to turn into a frog?  My partner was not at all happy with what he saw either.
    I had a chance opportunity to speak with an insider who wanted my take on the upcoming movie.  He had been given a clip to check out and expressed concern in its content.  As a result, in February 2009 I wrote a followup commentary, which includes the original posting.  I have included it here and will simply say this: Is it truly a positive thing for us to have our princess become an animal creature, given the history in this country about how we have been viewed as 3/4 human?  Is there a reason why they could not portray the prince as a black young man?  I am not willing to accept good as enough, when better was always an option.

     DEAR PRINCESSES: SOMETIMES A FROG IS JUST A FROG

    
    I wanted a story that would make my niece smile.  A story that she could relate to,  a story about what really defines her, a fantastic journey upon which she knew she was a passenger.  So I  researched and wrote her a story.  What gives me absolute joy is that smile I see, I hear every time I read that story to her.  On March 16, 2007, I wrote the following on my Blog:
    Disney has announced that they are finally going to have a black princess.  Hmmm....  Makes perfect marketing sense, given that all money is green and this is yet an untapped market.  Problem is...the image of this black princess is not dissimilar to what is done by doll manufacturers.  Take an Anglo featured doll and color it brown.  Further , there is nothing to relate this image to the history or culture of the African American population, unlike Pocahontas or Mulan, which are at least  [very] loosely based on the history of the cultures they represent.  I can hear the jokes already:  A frog princess; if we kiss her will she turn white?  and on and on...
    
    Maybe a bit of bias on my part, since as I promised my niece,  for whomI took the time to do research and write a really good story about an African princess, yet I cannot get an audience with the powers within the animation industry to pitch it.  I am disappointed.  Disney has a great opportunity here.  Instead of going the usual route of giving the African American market what you want us to have, instead of what we really want -- which is traditionally what happens --  then get mad if we complain about the way we are represented.  I am one who believes that if better is an option, good is not enough.
    
    Today, nearly two years later, I read in the online version of USA Today  (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2009-02-15-disney-black-princess-tiana_N.htm)  that Disney was releasing  their line of toys for the Princess and the Frog although the movie is not scheduled to hit the theatres until  December 2009. I suspect the Disney corporation wanted to leverage the current interest in the Obama family and all things "tween."  I  contacted  Lisa Skriloff,, president of Multicultural Marketing Resources (http://www.multicultural.com/), who the article quoted as saying: "It's [a black princess doll] very significant," says Lisa Skriloff, president of Multicultural Marketing Resources. "It's like a stamp of approval for one of the most outstanding family (entertainment) companies to say this is important."   She was kind enough to respond and honest enough to let me know that she wasn't completely aware of the point of view of the African American market when it comes to this subject.  She was gracious enough to invite me to her website and open the door of dialogue. 
    
    While there are formidable names associated with this animated feature, with Disney casting Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lewis and  Anika Noni Rose, it still does not measure up to my expectations.  I am just not so excited about the end product.  I am not a fan of being given what they -- who are empowered to provide big screen imagery -- want you to have versus what has been asked for.  I think that Mothers of color will take their daughters to see the film, their daughters will clap in delight to see a darker version of the Disney princess line on the big screen, yet  the mother will feel a vague sense of disappointment and not really understand why. 
    
    Two years ago, I was hugely disenchanted when the producers of this project chose to create this film without a lot of input from those it is targeted toward.the producers even refused volunteered assistance from two Disney board members.   For the record and according to a knowledged source, the Asian market was not thrilled with the Mulan feature film either, as it was not a true depiction of who they are, or even remotely depicts their true historic culture. They saw a part of the film and confirmed my expectation of what this film would turn out to be.  Yes, this is fantasy, yes these are commercial films, but when you have limited opportunity to be defined on the big screen, you just want a certain degree of truth woven into the tapestry of the story told.  While there were some name, title and image modifications since 2007, it is what it is: a sanitized version of the same story, just in living color and voices that they still believe define us.  .
    
    I am a realist;  my point if view is not enough to derail the Disney train; they have made it clear that they could care less about what I think.  The film will be profitable, will likely carry some degree of controversy, if for no other reason than because controversy sells in this country.  Most will decide that good is enough, even when better was an option, because  that is how we often do.  We accept the mediocre as the best we can get, assuming nothing else  will be offered.  I am however, still hopeful that I will realize the dream I have for what an animated feature of and for African America will look like.  And I smile.

  • Blog post
  • 5 months ago
  • Views: 97

• Your request is being processe

  • From: pinkiehot52
  • Description:

    Buzz up!

    

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    White male conservatives, despite polling showing both the public and GOP insiders disagree, are maintaining that Sonia Sotomayor is an unqualified racist whose nomination is somehow an affront to the Supreme Court.

    While a variety of conservatives from different backgrounds have expressed reservations about Sotomayor, angry white conservatives have been consistently over-the-top, offensive and personal in their attacks. The 'racist' claim is based on one out-of-context remark the judge made. These conservatives, meanwhile, focus largely on Sotomayor's own race and the presumption that because she is not white, she must have benefited from affirmative action in every step of her career and thus deprived a more qualified white person of all of her successes.

    Pat Buchanan described Sotomayor in a column Friday as an "anti-white liberal judicial activist" as well as a "lightweight" who "covers up her intellectual inadequacy by bullying from the bench."

    John Derbyshire, at National Review Online, took admiration for Sotomayor's life story as an intentional insult to him and all other white people:

    I get mighty annoyed by the unspoken implication in a lot of commentary that anyone not a member of a Protected Minority must have grown up in a twelve-bedroom lakeside mansion and been chauffered off to prep school with a silver spoon in his mouth. Judge Sotomayor was raised in public housing? So was I. Her mother was a nurse working late shifts? So was mine. When did white working poor people disappear off the face of the earth? Where are the eager listeners to their "compelling stories"?

    On Bill Bennett's radio show Thursday, the Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes suggested that Sotomayor got into Princeton through affirmative action, and went on to suggest that most students probably get "some kind of Cum Laude."

    BARNES: I think you can make the case that she's one of those who has benefited from affirmative action over the years tremendously.

    
    BENNETT: Yeah, well, maybe so. Did she get into Princeton on affirmative action, one wonders.

    BARNES: One wonders.

    BENNETT: Summa Cum Laude, I don't think you get on affirmative action. I don't know what her major was, but Summa Cum Laude's a pretty big deal.

    BARNES: I guess it is, but you know, there's some schools and maybe Princeton's not one of them, where if you don't get Summa Cum Laude then or some kind of Cum Laude, you then, you're a D+ student.

    Conservatives have also suggested that Sotomayor's fondness for Puerto Rican food will somehow "influence her verdicts from the bench."

     

    Crazy all day, It is time for them to be exposed for who they really are.

    Black Rethugs are a joke. This is what is thought of them as well,  intellectual inadequacy is how they are dised behind closed doors. Any minority in this party at all is a joke. Democrats are no better, but they are not self-destructing for all the world to see.  They talk about their base. the part that is left out is they are all the base. They are the people they talk to. Not much smarter that's why they connect.

    
    

  • Blog post
  • 6 months ago
  • Views: 61

• Rihanna and Chris Brown: My Th

  • From: E_Joyce
  • Description:
     UPDATE: Earlier today (Sunday, March 9, 2009), there was a retrospective story about Chris Brown and Rihanna on E! Apparently -- according to their pictoral timeline, Rihanna was actually down in Mexico, contradicting the reports of her whereabouts in the weeks after the alleged beating. They not only alluded to the notion that the picture of her face that the police allegedly leaked may not be be factual --police authorities would only say that the photo appeared to have been taken "during an official domestic violence investigation" and that they were vigorously investigating any leaks" -- the candid shot E! claimed was taken two weeks after the beating and published on February 26, 2009, show her in a white bikini in Mexico and without a single mark. So I am confused as to where the truth will finally take us or if E! was simply manufacturing new sensation. However, it does not change my point of view as stated below.
    
    
    But wait, there's more:  New reasons why we need to wait until we all should wait for all of the information before passing judgement.  NOTE: I still don't believe that a man EVER should hit a woman.  It takes more courage just to walk away.  That said, there was a new leak apparently, on Monday, March 9, 2009, from the police department.
    
    
    
    I have seen it too many times: you become or manifest in your life what you don't resolve. So it seems that they have reuinted.  Yet the situation is far from resolved Chris Brown needs to be by himself and in an intense therapy program for at least a year. Believe it or not, when I saw an interview of him some time ago, my first thought was that he was an angry, troubled young man, even though he may have a good heart. But if he does not resolve his issues now, those issues will be an ingrained part of his character and who he is. No amount of jail time will fix what's broken in him. Forget, the career, he needs to repair who he is first.
    
    Know a little about the Bajun culture and noted that Rihanna's father, who minimized her injuries in his initial public comments, seems to have no problem with her returning to the relationship. Her testimony will be court ordered, not voluntary. That speaks volumes about her mindset and supports  the fact that she needs counseling as well.
    
    Abuse comes in all races, sizes, shapes, religions, cultures, genders, ages, classes. There are as many rich as poor who are abusers. There are many more men being abused than any of us know.  It can be your neighbor, it can be your friend It can be your sister, it can be your brother.  It is, unfortunately a legacy passed from one generation to the next. Psychological abuse is as life threatening as physical abuse, yet there is no way to legally control its effect, short of the California law on threats. The only way we can limit the damage is to help people recognize all of the warning signs.   Until we put all abuse on the national and global table as something to be discussed and eradicated, it will continue to be ignored.
    
    This is a teachable moment for all who see these two as "role models" or are the parents of those who see these two as "role models"   --  and they shouldn't be, you don't know a thing about them, really. If you are in a relationship where he or she is verbally, psychologically, physically and/or sexually abusing you or your children or, for that matter, his or her own children, it has to be the immediate relationship deal breaker. Get out. It will not change, it will get worse -- the "I'm sorrys" do not change character or resolve issues. It takes a full year, at minimum, of intensive therapy for someone who WANTS to change to become a better person who does not abuse. They need to do so away from you. If there are children involved and they aren't yours, then you need to report it, because children have no choice and no voice over adult misbehavior AND when/if it's unresolved., become the next generation of abusers. You and I have to be that voice.
     
    On a personal note, this -- the issue of abuse -- bothers me greatly.   Even though it was many years ago, I still remember my friend who lived a few houses down from me and I knew her father abused her, a lot, even though she never spoke of it.  I had helped her with her paper route  one day,so that she wouldn't get home late.  She went into her house and to this day I can still hear her screaming as he beat her.  One of the most beautiful, gentle men I ever knew and loved, died in an auto accident, and it wasn't until weeks later that his brother shared a secret: his father had consistently abused them all, especially his wife, who later died.  As a writer, I have interviewed several men who witnessed and experienced  physical and sexual abuse, and saw, first hand, how those experiences shaped who they are.  I am currently at the beginning stages of researching and writing a true story about an entire Alabama family and the horrific abuse they endured  and continue to have to deal with-- and how the legal system and the community did not save them.  If their story will help you -- or you -- or you, to realize what kind of toxic relationship you are in, show you that the door is open and you can leave, it will be worth it to them...and to me. 
     
    Here is what I know. You cannot fix someone who is broken.  You cannot save anyone who doesn't want to be saved and you can only change one person: yourself.  You make his/her problem yours when you choose to stay in an abusive relationship or allow your children to be abused just to keep a man or a woman.You make his/her problem yours when you continue to believe the myth that you can fix the problem you had with your mother or father by making the relationship work with someone who is just like him/her.  You become or manifest in your life what you don't resolve.  If you are an abuser, your only hope is professional help, and to leave.  If you are being abused, your only hope is to leave and get professional help.  Don't think about it, don't rationalize over it, don't justify it, leave.  Don't let your choice not to change be the legacy you leave behind.
     
    I learned that sometimes saying something more than one way can reach more people.  I wrote a series of poems on abuse over the years.  Perhaps someone will hear this one today.
     

    BITTER REALITY

     

    You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...

    they play their usual sad song

    once again the victim of …whatever

    the day brings.

    You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...

    the words they use to defend

    the offender

    taste bitter with the salty tang

    of blood that tends to flood

    the mouth when slapped

    with the back of the hand

    or punched with words that

    would make a real man cry…

    You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...

    when you tell them the consequences

    of believing honey-dipped I’m sorrys – which is

    probably their only spoken truth --

    well-designed to lure them back

    into the depths of a hell

    only a fool would believe in,

    they look at you and sigh

    about how you “can’t understand

    why… he needs me.”

    Or “but I love him”

    Love?  That you cannot define?

    As you recline

    on the floor where he slammed you?

    You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...

    I deliver this eulogy for

    all of those who believe

    in staying too long,

    realizing too late that the

    door was always open

    just as the final blow

    is delivered.

    (c) 2008 from Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 265

• State of the Black Union X

  • From: E_Joyce
  • Description:

    STATE OF THE BLACK UNION X
    
    When your rhetoric
    Turns into acts of true change
    Then I will hear you.
    
    
    In a place
    In a space
    Where I/you/we are
    Where dreams are fading/eroding/erasing
    As the ticker tape parade on Wall Street falls
    Into the economic abyss.
    With a cunning thief's kiss
    But we never asked what's amiss.
    While we waited for the trickle to fall down on us.
    'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most"
    New Chief in town.
    And to their dismay, his skin is brown.
    Time for change
    To rearrange
    Our thinking.
    `Cause we are at the beginning
    Not the end
    Of what has to change.
    So we have haters,
    And infiltrators,
    And instigators
    On both sides of the coin.
    All of whom cannot accept the fact
    We don't have a Black President
    We have a President who is Black.
    And brilliant.
    But not understanding the difference
    They continue to hack
    Vicarious micromanagers
    Virtual armchair quarterbacks
    "What's in it for us?"
    "Where's our piece of the change?"
    Have a shovel ready plan….
    Or just an agenda?
    The phrase "Yes We Can"
    Requires us to spend a
    Lot more time figuring out what direction
    We should be walking in, not talking
    Then
    We can be near the top this time
    As Phoenix rises.

    (c)2009 E. Joyce Moore, author Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 205

• The Art of War

  • From: TheSarge1960
  • Description:

    I think of myself in many dimensions. In one light I am a child of God, I’m also a servant of Jesus Christ, a husband, I am a brother, a family member and evidently, in political terms, I am a naïve American. I’m not so naïve in the meaning of being dumb enough to venture down a dark alley way (in the words of the late great comedian, Richard Pryor) upon hearing what I think is the voice of God in that alley, but naïve in understanding that there is a domestic war being waged by an insidious group of Americans whose sole mission and agenda is to obstruct and discredit President Barack Obama’s efforts to fix the mess left behind after eight years of Republican rule in America; all in the name of ideology.  I have (or had) a friend who has the persona of being the friendly copying machine repair guy that most office people affectionately know by first name. In truth, my friend is a political assassin.  He is just one of a large clan of Republicans that are currently attempting to sow in the minds of Americans, seeds of doubt, fear and apprehension about President Obama and the President’s administration.  In lieu of woeful economic times, these assassins know that most Americans (and rightfully so) are fearful of what “tomorrow brings”.  Massive deregulation of Wall Street practices, bad banking policies and tax cuts that mostly benefited the rich, have brought this country, as a whole, to the brink of economic disaster that has not been experienced since the “Great Depression”.  What my friend the “super conservative” Republican and all his cronies have forgotten (or ignored) is that this “witches brew” of fiscal disaster was largely created by the Republican Party.  Now that the leaderless Republicans have lost control of the White House, congress and the senate, a large number of ideological fanatics (I made up the word “ziot” to describe these people) are campaigning “by any means necessary” to obstruct our President’s proactive policies of fiscal and social change.  Dispersing hate through negative emails and blogs, to include fabricating outright lies about the President are the ziots main tactic of bringing about helter skelter in this country.  The sad fact is that President Obama has been the President of the United States for less than three months and these ziots are beside themselves as they see an articulate Black man leading this country during tumultuous times, times created by their own party’s greed and arrogance.  So, beware of smiling copying machine repairmen / repairwomen, who artfully disguise their hatred of President Obama and Democrats by weaving tales of negativity and doubt about “this bill or that bill” as they congenially sip coffee and eat doughnuts in the company lounge.  Let’s expose the hate of these naysayers by standing up and saying enough of this anti American rhetoric.  Let the ziots know that the American people through the power of the vote, have spoken and their message is loud and clear,  “Out” with the greedy and the arrogant, “In”, with leaders who are in tune with the needs of the average American who have been routinely ignored and disenfranchised.  Let’s remind them that Americans have elected a new “sheriff” for a town named America and the sheriff’s name is Barack Obama.  Besides, tell them that their breath smells like sour grapes.

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 144
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• Racism Can Be a Teaching Momen

  • From: E_Joyce
  • Description:

    

    
    I received several e-mails of the picture from the  Barnes and Nobel bookstore in Coral Gables, Florida, along with a call for the boycotting of the Barnes and Noble stores.For those who did not see the picture, someone placed a book on monkeys in the middle of the store front display of books on  President and First Lady Obama, then took the picture.  Knowing a little bit about retail, I decided to contact the Barnes and Noble corporate offices to find out what they had to say and how they responded to the outrage over this display.   I was provided with the e-mail below that was sent to anyone who called and inquired:

     

    Hello Joyce Moore,

     

    Thank you for contacting us about the book display which included President Obama in our Coral Gables store. Barnes & Noble would like to publicly apologize for an incident in our Coral Gables, Florida store. 

     

    We believe that a customer played a cruel joke and placed an inappropriate title in the front window of our store, where we were featuring books written by or about President Obama.  We want to assure our customers that the book placed by someone other than any of our booksellers was never intended to be included in our display and was removed as soon as we became aware of the situation.

     

    We are looking into it and taking the steps necessary so that it does not happen again. From time to time customers will move titles from one area of the store to another. In this particular case, we do not condone whatever message may have been intended with the placement of this title in our Presidential display. It certainly was not part of our merchandising and we regret that we didn't see the placement of this title immediately.

     

    Sincerely,

     

    [name deleted]

    Customer Service Representative

    Barnes and Noble Customer Service

    customerservice@bn.com

     
    Mary Keating, spokesperson for Barnes and Noble, sent me the statement below, along with responses to my questions: 
     

    The photograph being circulated on the Internet was taken by a customer in one of our stores, who maliciously placed an inappropriate title in the center of a display honoring President Obama.The store immediately removed the title from the display.  Barnes & Noble finds this malicious act to be despicable.”

      

    Mary Ellen Keating

    Spokesperson

    Barnes & Noble, Inc.

     

    In response to a series of questions I posed she said: " We follow a specific blueprint for the displays in each of our stores. The display was set up in January and the incident took place two weeks ago."  "This particular store in Coral Gables has a window display that is accessible to the public," stated Keating. .  "Most of our stores are 25000 square feet and have thousands of titles in each store.  Unfortunately, every bookseller has to deal with customers moving titles from one area of a store to another, but they do an excellent job of making sure titles are in order."  "...we view this as a malicious act and agree that it is an isolated incident." 

     

    I know that I am personally tired of these behaviors, although in this case I think that Barnes and Noble is a victim, as well, of a malicious prank.  If it was done by the persons taking the picture, apparently they were not aware of the fact that their images are reflected in the window (there are two people in the reflection, at least one is a white male).   I want to turn this incident into a teaching moment.  When the now  infamous New York Post  cartoon  crawled out from under its journalistic rock, Marc Clarke wrote on why this matters so much to African Americans.  His Blog was quoted on CNN, and Marc's article was the source of their explanation of its history.  

     

    “The Negro: What Is His Ethnological Status?”  was published in 1867 under the pseudonym “Ariel.”  ... the author was a Southern clergyman, the Rev. Buckner H. Payne of Nashville, Tenn.  Rev. Payne argued that Negroes weren’t descended from Adam and Eve. “... Adam and Eve being white, ... they could never be the father or mother of the kinky-headed, low forehead, flat nose, thick lip and black-skinned negro...”  The minister continued: “[I]t follows, beyond all the reasonings of men on earth to controvert, that [the negro] was created before Adam, that, like all beasts and cattle, they have no souls.”  Rev. Payne then broke it down scientifically: “[W]e take up the monkey, and trace him ... through his upward and advancing orders – baboon, ourang-outang and gorilla, up to the negro, another noble animal, the noblest of the beast creation.  The difference between these higher orders of the monkey and the negro is very slight, and consists mainly in this one thing: the negro can utter sounds that can be imitated; hence he could talk with Adam and Eve, for they could imitate his sounds.”    “... Adam and Eve being white, ... they could never be the father or mother of the kinky-headed, low forehead, flat nose, thick lip and black-skinned negro...”   Payne continued: “[I]t follows, beyond all the reasonings of men on earth to controvert, that [the negro] was created before Adam, that, like all beasts and cattle, they have no souls.”  Rev. Payne then broke it down scientifically: “[W]e take up the monkey, and trace him ... through his upward and advancing orders – baboon, ourang-outang and gorilla, up to the negro, another noble animal, the noblest of the beast creation. The difference between these higher orders of the monkey and the negro is very slight, and consists mainly in this one thing: the negro can utter sounds that can be imitated; hence he could talk with Adam and Eve, for they could imitate his sounds.”  You can download the full 48-page text of Buckner Payne’s “The Negro” as a PDF file, courtesy of Google, by following this link .   Read more of  Mark Clarke's full commentary by visiting his Blog. 

     

    Many like to minimize these covert acts of racism, calling them "jokes", such as the watermelon on the White House lawn e-mail sent by Republican Los Alamitos mayor Dean Grose to colleagues and friends.  Grose, who resigned as mayor -- although that means little,unless he resigns from the council, since the council takes turns filling the position -- claims that he "didn't know that it was offensive to African Americans."   Personally, I don't buy his explanation, or his apology.  If he did not know of the stereotypical myth that Blacks/African Americans 

    have often been portrayed as a" lazy race of people who just sit around eating fried chicken and watermelon".  then exactly what was the "joke"? 

     

    The truth is that watermelon is native to Africa, especially near the Kalahari desert.
    Watermelon, as the name suggests has a high water content, more so than other fruits, in fact. They are also really high in nutrients and vitamins.  Slaves working in the fields were at risk for dehydration since it was intense labor and it's hot in the south.  (today's water bottles hadn't been invented yet), so they would eat slices of watermelon to hydrate and refresh themselves from working in the fields.

     

    Chicken, watermelon, okra, chitterlings (pig intestines), black eyed peas.... and many other foods that are labeled soul food today, was once considered food not fit for the master's table.  Basically, Black slaves ate whatever the slave master gave them...they ate the scraps (pig-intestines fat-back, pig feet, pigtail,  etc) and what was cheap or easy to grow.  Poor Whites  -- mostly Irish, who were slaves for a time themselves -- ate the same.  Even after slavery, Blacks still enjoyed these food because it was what they could afford.   Today, that which was the soul of the African American sustenance is now a part of many a fine restaurant's menu. 

     

    Acts of overt and covert racism have been dredged up and forward throughout our history.  In this century alone, corporations such as AT&T had their corporate hand slapped because they used an image of a monkey to depict the people of Africa in an internal publication.  In 2001,Toyota -- because of a modern day "blackface" postcard developed by their ad agency , Saatchi & Saatchi -- pledged millions for diversity development, training and minority supplier inclusion.   With the Presidential campaign and subsequent election, consciousness of the issue of race increased.  Paradigms began to crack, perceptions started to erode and suddenly the invisible become very visible.  As those who have the long held belief in their power and assumption of privilege witnessed how quickly their perceived power evaporated as quickly as the clothes of the emperor they have become fearful and angry.  Thus, the only moves left are to continue to instigate fear based upon untruths and resurrect ancient stereotypes and pre-1950s myths to distract, divide and distance those who are beginning to move past race as an issue. 

     

    We cannot allow our emotions to evoke hair-trigger reactions to the misbehavior of a few.  To demand a boycott of Barnes and Noble without verifying the facts is not how we should engage this heightened level of racism.  When we hear the venomous diatribe of hysterical radio talk show hosts  and attention-hungry cable news personnel, we don't preach to the choir or call the networks who gave them license to spew their vitriol , we contact their advertisers instead. Because at the end of the day, it is all about the bottom line. I am not certain that Rupert Murdoch would have personally apologized on behalf of the N Y Post, had calls not been made to Kraft Foods, AT&T along with other advertisers.   There isn't a single institution in this economic crisis who can afford to have their finances affected by foolishness. 

     

    Perhaps we all need to learn how to play chess.  I understand that it is a game of patience and strategy, where each move is a response not a reaction.  It is also rumored that President Obama plays chess in 3D.  Perhaps it is time to take a page from his playbook and stop reacting to every move and instead begin to respond in a manner that will yield the outcome we are looking for.  Otherwise, the next few years will be spent fighting battles of distractions rather than making the strategic moves to win the war.  And I'm already tired.

    
    

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 444

• Rihanna and Chris Brown

  • From: E_Joyce
  • Description:

    This is a very sad time for two real great and young performers.  The blogosphere is blowing up with innuendo, commentary, and a whole lot of judgement.  What you know: something happened to cause injury to one or both parties. There is now a new "rumor" for lack of a better term that there is a third party involved, at least according to The View.  What you don't know: the facts and details. To speculate, condemn, judge, decide who is right and who is wrong, who is the victim and who isn't, before you have the facts and details is not the direction to go in.

    Case in point: I personally know of two separate cases, both where the police were called, both where the actual aggressor was the woman, one of which the police sat and watched through the window before they came in and arrested HER because she was doing the beating, the other where he was arrested, humiliated, but later vindicated. Things are not always as they seem, wait until the facts are clear, then you can proceed with your judging.

    One more thing: You become or tend to manifest in your life what you do not resolve.   What you also may not know, Rihanna is very good at emotional pretense -- which she has done more than once as a "joke". On the other hand Brown grew up in an abusive home. Wait for the facts.

    One last thing:  One of the things I noticed in all of the remarks posted:  Some of these postings appear to be from people who are either in  or were a part of abusive relationships.  If I am talking about you, and you are in this kind of relationship, get up get your things and get yourself to the nearest shelter where they will support and help you make the transition from victim to victor.  Get help.   If you are an abuser,  there is nothing anyone could ever do that justifies psychological, physical, sexual, emotional abuse.  Remember how it felt when you were abuse.  Have the courage to get help today.

  • Blog post
  • 9 months ago
  • Views: 225
  • Not yet rated

• An Open Letter to CNN, CBS, AB

  • From: E_Joyce
  • Description:
    An Open Letter to NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and all those in Media,

     

    We are in the second full day of the Presidency of our newly sworn in Leader,  President Barack Obama.  He has, more than once committed himself, and those who serve on his team to swift movement and action in their efforts to provide a transparent view of the decisions made by this administration.  In his eloquent inaugural address he also encouraged all of us to take individual responsibility, during this critical time of economic upheaval and global distress with two existing wars we are participating, as well as the developing crises between other countries.  From where I sit, as a citizen he also asked us, essentially, to grow up.

     

    So I am baffled.  What part of responsibility, change we can believe in and acting with maturity do you as journalists, or at least who represent what should be journalist do you intend to own?  From Anderson Cooper of CNN, who I had in the past, held in high esteem, to the nameless females pouting on MSNBC Live, who seemed interested in creating controversy where there is none, since that is how one gains visibility and opportunity in the news industry nowadays. I am stunned by both the attitude and general lack of respect I have seen displayed toward this new administration. The rants of faux journalist O'Reilly over the important issue of private jet plane traffic at Dulles Airport during the Inauguration weekend was absolutely surreal, as he babbled on about a rumor that celebrities held up air traffic and about the people who didn't get in to the inauguration because there was no more room to get in-- as though there was some sort of conspiracy. The ongoing rants and pouting because you believe there should be more information than you are receiving and you want access and you want it now have become absurd. 

     

    Take a moment to realize a couple of key things: 

     

    Transparency means that the information will ultimately be made available at the appropriate time, it does not mean that the media has full real-time access.  You have apparently misunderstood this administration: because this does not mean that the White House is now a reality show and you are the primary participants.  I will quote one of my fellow bloggers who stated this point perfectly: Whenever Obama issues directions, the press takes those directions to the extreme. Open government doesn't mean Reality Show government. We want moderation. We want a permanent audit trail that we can follow to determine when, how, and why our representatives made their decisions. We want a willingness to answer questions in a timely and honest manner so that U.S. citizens can make informed decisions. That's open government.
    On behalf of the thinking community that makes up the majority of the American citizenry, who are also your clients, as viewers of the programs you offer on your networks, readers of the publications you write on paper or online, listeners to the radio networks, from local to satellite networks, gather yourselves and grow up.

    We want responsible journalism that is fact based, not an ego trip on your personal point of view.  If you are wondering why your ratings are dropping, why your circulation is falling away, perhaps this gives you a clue. The public is not interested in the verbal  micro-managing and armchair quarterbacking  by the media and it is becoming increasingly annoying. Transparency means that the information will ultimately be made available, it does not mean that the media has full real-time access. 

     

    Secondly, I think there needs to be a reminder of what journalism is, In the context of news broadcasting, journalism is the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news organization as a business. In other words, a conduit of facts based upon acquisition of substantiated truth and researched information. Singular points of view and opinion are saved and identified for the appropriate venue of discussion.  What used to be a privilege -- to be a journalist -- that was provided to a person who has proven his or her ability to deliver an unbiased reporting of the facts in a way that the reader, listener or viewer could rely on as a credible source.  Today it seems that reputations in the news business are being built and rewarded based upon visibility by controversy or access to the mike based upon camera appeal.  It is time that the entire industry takes a page from the new administration and begin to do some introspection and determine how you need to make some significant changes.  While there are certain newscasters who I genuinely believe are true journalists, there are many of you, as well as your producers, who need to reassess how you choose to do your jobs.  I have had enough of the bias and the bull for which no one seems to be holding your feet to the fire. I do not need you to tell me how I should think or feel about the facts that you provide. So here it is: We are looking for and will be going where responsible journalism is offered.  If it is not through you, we will go elsewhere.  You want your ratings?  We want authentic journalism, it's as simple as that.  Grow up. Become responsible.  Not sexy, not controversial, but it is what you should have been doing all along. 

     

     

    There are always at least two sides to every story. Somewhere in between is where the truth is hidden. Those who seek the truth, even when it is not what they want to hear, will live the most genuine life. Your decisions may be the same, but they will be based upon an unadulterated integrity. If there is a small voice inside you whispering questions, have the courage to seek the answers, lest your personal truth becomes counterfeit by omission. Decisions made, actions taken, judgments ruled -- sans listening to every faction with as much objectivity as humanly possible -- will always be based upon warped evidence, ultimately causing those who continue stand upon such flawed reality, to fall.
    
    E. Joyce Moore
    
    
    

    ---

    A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!

  • Blog post
  • 10 months ago
  • Views: 318

• DC Locked Down for Inaguration

  • From: llazaro633
  • Description:
    The Rise of Obama Part 10
    The_Betty
    
    Chances are Brother Bear (see Slide 1 below) will be on hand to welcome throngs of inaugural witnesses to Washington, DC!!!
    

    
    

    

    Slide 1: This is the face you’ll see if you
    brave this year’s inauguration. I pity the fool...
    
    

    
    

    
    

    

    
    

    Slide 2: The event every American wants to witness will be on the road less traveled.
    

    
    

    Security is tight as president-elect Barack Obama – the only candidate to receive thousands of death threats daily – prepares to meet his destiny and take the oath of office. In fact, as of 12-midnight Tuesday, January 21, 2009 your nation’s capitol will be on official lock-down by Homeland Security. Bridges all over the metro area will be closed and the only way in will be through Beirut-like check points where buses (for a fee) await to take you across the river to DC.
    
    

    

    Slide 3: X marks the spot where bridges will be closed. This includes parts of I-95. Officials state they can amend and add more closings by morning. For the truth on bridge closings from the horses mouth go to:
    
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpyn/content/graphic/2009/01/07/GR2009010703911.html
    

    
    

    
    Regardless of where you enter DC, you’ll be subject to search and seizure along the route to the U.S. Capitol and beyond. Yes, I said it – you’ll be subject to search and seizure courtesy of George Bush, Jr., Dick Cheney, a few fools in the last U.S. Congress and Homeland Security. If you ever really wanted to know what 9-11 and the Homeland Security Act did for you, just stay tuned tomorrow.
    
    As an American regardless of your economic stature you have the right to witness your president-elect get sworn in, and in the past you would not have been hassled for exercising your right. You could’ve brought your sleeping bag and slept on the edge of the Ellipse or cramed into the Youth Hostile awaiting the event. But in the distant wake of Oil Wars and Middle East crises we’ve lost this freedom. The crossroads are behind us. Some say its in the name of safety, others call it security – I and many other citizens born and raised in the 60’s and 70’s call it as we see it – A HASSLE DEPICTING THE EROSION OF OUR CIVIL RIGHTS!
    
    My hope and prayer is that President Barack Obama will begin the dialogue to bring some semblance of peace to earth and once again make America free for our children. Personally, this Israeli-Gaza Strip type of entry process they've planned for the citizens who want to witness the swearing in of the first black president is not the legacy I want to leave.
    
    Whew! Now that I’ve got that off my chest let’s get back to the purpose of these blogs and that is to illustrate destiny, fate and fortune inherent in astrological charts and astrological phenomena. Back in December I gave you the chart that catapulted Barack Obama to the presidency – The August 1, 2008 Eclipse. Alas, it is frought will death threats, and danger and violence from foes and friends alike.
    

    
    

    

    Slide 4 – Reprint of the August 1 2008 Eclipse and
    Obama 2008 Solar Return Chart

    Also back in December, I showed you Obama’s Inagural Chart complete with an indicator of a secret affair. The indicator shows the presence of a woman standing with the President and his wife Michelle. You and others read and witnessed events that pointed to Oprah Winfrey as the mystery woman.
    

    

    Slide 5 – The red arrows show Oprah’s presence in Obama’s Inagural Chart for 12 noon, Tuesday, January 21, 2008.

    Saturn, the task master, is ruling Barack Obama’s 10th, 11th, and 12th houses in Slide 5. Saturn is also conjunct the Arabic Part of Success. It seems our president is willing to work his a-- off to set things right. Barack’s Midheaven (career) is conjunct two other Arabic Parts. They show him as the leader of Armies and Police (he'll be swearing in as Commander and Chief) as well as vulnerable to Danger and Violence. Oprah’s presence is indicated by Venus conjunct the North Node or Dragon’s Head. Barack, indicated by the Sun conjunct the Vertex, is trying to keep Michelle cool. The Sun conjunct Vertex aspect is often found for those who are working on changes in a marriage relationship. Barack's Vertex is in Libra and he will not only be trying to bring opposing political, ethnic, and racial factions together during his presidency, but maybe he'll be putting in the extra time to bring the two main women in his life - namely Michelle and Oprah - to a meeting of minds. Surprisingly, the Sun conjunct the Vertex is in the same area of the chart as the Venus associated with Oprah. Here’s some phrases I uncovered about the Venus-North Node combination:

    
    

    "Progressed Venus conjunct North Node: brings about circumstances meant to restore balance…love relationships are tested…gifts or gains through females…may signify a romance." Source: Lunar Nodes and Identifying Planetary Triggers by Celeste Teal.

    

    Slide 6 – The Ooo La La Chart depicting Obama and Oprah’s birth charts. In synastry, an Ooo la la aspect was noted.

    Need I say more. The Neptune – Venus connection is all you need to make the gossip truth. If you take into consideration that the same Venus in Slide 5 is making a connection to Oprah’s Neptune in Slide 6, I think you’ll start to get the picture.
    
    How will Barack fare as president?
    
    Just ask James Presley from Sledge, Mississippi. He imbues Obama with a divine calling.

    "I'm a church man," says James Presley. "And I kind of figured this here is about like it was with Moses with the children of Israel."

    
    

    

    
    

    Slide 7: James Presley from Sledge, Missiissipi

    
    

    
    Common folk like Mr. Presley do not have to read astrology charts to understand that Barack Obama – a son of Europe, Africa and Polynesia who happened to win the seat as our next American President – has a divine calling and is willing to work his a-- off for the nation. Presley’s hope despite his “raw-knuckled life where hope moved at a molasses-slow pace” is confirmation that simple faith can work miracles, part seas, and mark the beginning of progressive change.
    
    Stay tuned!!!

    
    

    
    

    ###

    
    

    
    

    References: Vertex, The Third Angle by Donna Henson; Pictures from Reuters, AP and the Washington Post; James Presley quotes from McClatchey.com; James Presley photo, CNN.com.
  • Blog post
  • 10 months ago
  • Views: 181

• OPRAH’S Inagural Party Pick

  • From: llazaro633
  • Description:
    The Rise of Obama Part 9
    The_Betty
    
    Richard Johnson a New York Post writer reported:
    
    

    “OPRAH isn't shy about her love for Barack Obama,
    but she's trying to keep secret the party she's throwing in honor of his
    inauguration. An insider told us: "Oprah is planning a lavish bash at TenPenh," a swanky Asian-fusion restaurant in DC. "She's being extremely secretive about it," said our source. "But there will definitely be a ton of A-listers there." She (Oprah) will also be hosting her show from Washington next week. A rep for Oprah insisted, "She is not having a party."
    

    
    

    (Ha! They’ll soon learn that DC is America’s -secret – here they have their own unique culture code and you can’t dictate whether a party is a party in the District. Folks – Black, White, Asian, Hispanic – will create the party. Some years ago one Judge’s daughter showed up at a stuff shirt affair and did a back flip in a dress revealing bikini panties. That loosened up the crowd. Music sprang from somewhere and the party was on!!! )
    

    
    On a more serious note, two weeks ago I listed four 5-star spots that may have tickled President Barack Obama’s fancy. What did Gayle pick? Common, over-priced, and swanky. Notice that the New York Post didn't use words like posh, chic or trendy. No wonder Oprah is trying to keep this a secret.
    
    TenPenh
    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington DC
    
    TenPenh’s web features some of its own recipes like Grilled Thai Beef Salad. None of the décor was featured. Instead they showed the TOO OVER PLAYED ancient artifact pictures then bragged that a Feng Shui Master respectfully directed the owners to follow certain Asian customs and guidelines, and Cliff Wharton, born in the Philippines was tapped (probably at the INS lock-up in Alexandria) by Chef Tunks to be his Chef de Cuisine. Who is the clientele? The FBI. Who goes to sit with the FBI for lunch or dinner? No one.
    
    Now don’t get me wrong, TenPenh is decent and it’s on Pennsylvania Avenue. But it sure is obvious the owner or prime investor is a friend of Oprah’s or Gayle’s or something. I couldn’t find anything about the décor. I never heard anyone rave about TenPenh’s food. In fact, on their website they list two write-ups in magazines. What’s worse is that Gayle drove right past Oya's, one of the best Asian Fusion places in town, who can boast over 20+ laudable magazine write-ups.
    
    Now before some of you reincarnated ancient’s start hollering, DC’s Oya Restaurant is Asian owned. Yes, some few hundred years ago when Jerome and Dwayne made their way to Polynesia they took many of their pagan deities with them – like Oya, Osun and Mommy Wata. Most of these deities made their way into the mainstream and have achieved a second immortality with alternate titles like St. Mary. While others have been vilified, imaged, and given residence at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception just up the street from the U.S. Capitol. This may be one reason Barack can’t show. But believe me the Asian Fusion food and service is so good and comes out so beautiful that the one time Senator Barack Obama probably cabbbed over regularly when he didn’t have a taste for P. Diddy's Howard U slide -- Ben’s Chili Bowl.
    
    So why did a fabulous restaurant like Oya’s lose out to the likes of TenPenh? The answer is Easy Security. For instance, you will drive right past TenPenh because it looks no bigger than a DC Lunch time Carry-Out. Ten Penh’s low key cover takes care of 90% of Secret Service’s job. Also, TenPenh and it’s neighboring restaurants want you to shell out $50 bucks for a Salad! In this economy, not even the well connected Washingtonians waste their hard earned dollars in such places. Besides, who wants to eat with a G-man starring down your throat.
    
    Here’s a few pictures that may have gotten Oya’s --by far the best Asian Fusion restaurant within the city limits -- the thumbs down by our U.S. Secret Service. If you look at the pics in Photo 1 you'll notice that Oya’s has lots of windows and natural light. Anyone who has been to Polynesia knows how much the polynesians like light, and open spaces. BTW, for those of you who aren't getting it - Hawaii is the American gateway to Polynesia. But unfortunately all the light, glass, and very trendy ornate art is a problem for Secret Service. Also the location may have proved challenging, Oya’s is located on 9th and H Streets NW in between two hotels and just two blocks from the Washington Convention Center where no less than 6 Inagural Balls will be taking place. Across the street is its competitor Ruth Cris Steak House offering great state side cuisine and valet parking.
    
    Photo 1: Folks can peer inside Oya's and ogle at its diners from the street (Top center and Bottom right). This would be a nightmare for Secret Service. Another nightmare may be that beautiful gas fireplace (Bottom left) and ornate glass decor
    
    

    

    OK so from what we know right now, Oprah is trying to appeal to President Barack Obama’s Obi Wan persona. But let’s face it Obi Wan isn't from south east Asia's mainland, he's from America's gateway to Polynesia - Hawaii. This is why he also likes Chili Cheese half smokes and enjoys a round of hoops once in a while. For the most part, Obi Wan is probably more amenable to the bohemian style Polynesian cuisine that has more of a posh-chic Jerome and Dwayne twist like an Oya’s.
    
    Let’s hope that over the next week while Oprah is shooting her shows at DC’s Kennedy Center that she and Gayle take up with a few well connected locals who can show them a little about DC's unique culture and where the real Obi Wan style eateries are located.
    
    ###
    
  • Blog post
  • 10 months ago
  • Views: 322
  • Not yet rated

• Biden Gives Obama Gaza Specifi

  • From: llazaro633
  • Description:

     

    Read on to learn how Rosanne Snaps over Oprah's Kitchen Cabinet Spot
    The Rise of Obama Part 8
    The_ Betty
    
    “Biden's visit to Afghanistan follows his trip to neighboring Pakistan,” writes  Associated Press reporter Fisnik Abrashi from Kabul. This follows Obama’s claim that only one “president can serve at a time.” For the past 7-days Obama has tried to appear as if he didn’t mind Condoleezza Rice's cold shoulder. In fact, he appeared solely focused on the economy, and confident in President Bush's handling of mid-east affairs. But behind the scenes vice president–elect Joe Biden and a U.S. military envoy took off to Pakistan.
    
    What better way to keep up with the pulse of a region than to have one’s first man quietly visiting next door?
    
    Most Americans didn’t learn of Biden’s trip until Saturday morning, January 10th. This was nearly a week after it was reported from a source in Islamabad that vice president-elect Joe Biden was on his way. After obviously chatting with Biden at length Saturday night Obama finally had enough information to stand up to the press and proclaimed:
    
    

    "What I am doing right now is putting together the team so that on January 20th, starting on day one, we have the best possible people who are going to be immediately engaged in the Middle East peace process as a whole."

    This quote was reported by CNN, Reuters, the Associated Press and the BBC on Sunday, January 11, 2009.
    
    Let’s review the predictions and results from last week's January 4 blog: Obama Acts on Divine Orders as Bush Aides Flee DC
    
    1) Predictions for Monday, January 5
    
    The president-elect may take a step toward addressing the invasion of Gaza. Look for a break-through sometime Sunday or early Monday.
    
    Result
    
    Tribune -Vice-President-elect Joseph R Biden Jr will travel to Pakistan this week in a high-profile diplomatic effort to defuse tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, according to press reports from Islamabad.
    
    2) Predictions for Tuesday, January 6
    
    President-elect Obama will be involved with a number of early morning meetings during one of them he will be posed with a unique one time opportunity.
    
    Result:
    
    DETROIT (AP) - President-elect Obama's new ride arrived. The Detroit News reported Tuesday that a new model of a presidential limousine made by General Motors Corporation has been delivered to the Secret Service. The armored 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine will make its debut at Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration in Washington.
    
    Reuters - WASHINGTON—President-elect Barack Obama gave a strong defense Tuesday to his unannounced choice to lead the CIA, Leon Panetta, in the face of criticism that Panetta lacks experience on intelligence matters.
    
    3) Predictions for Wednesday, January 7
    
    Good news streams in during the afternoon but is soon short circuited by other problems later in the day.
    
    Result:
    
    Seattle Times: “All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office,” Obama said following a 30-minute meeting with President Bush and a few of the ex-presidents. “For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary.”
    
    Seattle Times - The federal budget deficit will nearly triple to an unprecedented $1.2 trillion for the 2009 budget year, according to grim new Congressional Budget Office figures.
    
    4) Predictions for Thursday, January 8
    
    Before the morning is over he may learn of a death of a relative or colleague and/or may hear news of a birth or pregnancy. Good news about the Economic Stimulus Bill may arrive shortly before noon. This news will give Obama the feeling that he’s breaking down once very formidable barriers
    
    Results
    
    Washington Post Charles "Chuck" Morgan Jr., 78, a civil rights lawyer who challenged the racist society of his native South and won numerous landmark cases for equal rights before the U.S. Supreme Court, died Jan. 8 at his home in Destin, Fla. He had Alzheimer's disease.
    
    In a career full of significant cases, Mr. Morgan's most important might have been the "one-man, one-vote" ruling he won in 1964 from the Supreme Court. The case, Reynolds v. Sims, forced the Alabama legislature to create districts that were equal in population, giving black voters a better chance to elect candidates.
    
    Seattle Times-WASHINGTON — Barack Obama is officially the next president of the United States, Congress declared Thursday in fulfilling its centuries-old constitutional duty to certify and tally the electoral college vote from each state.
    
    WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama said that reforming massive government entitlement programs - such as Social Security and Medicare - would be "a central part" of his effort to control federal spending. Obama made the pledge but provided few details as he named Nancy Killefer as his administration's chief performance officer, creating a new White House position aimed at eliminating government waste and improving efficiency. Noting that the Congressional Budget Office had just estimated he would inherit a $1.2 trillion federal deficit for fiscal 2009, Obama promised to cut unnecessary spending.
    
    Obama’s choice of Nancy Killefer as his administration's chief performance officer is yet another confirmation of Obama acting out his Orders via the Eclipse of August 1, 2008. Last December in my blog inaugurating The Rise of Obama series, I wrote:
    
    
    

    For example, our Commander in Chief appears to be acting more like an Administrator in Chief by recruiting educationally talented people, making changes to plans after examining data, calling out risks, and planning for practical, measurable results… (The Auditor)...
    As most Americans know, administrators can be quite rigid, so don’t expect an easy going Obama Administration (remember Leo). Those who align themselves with him will have to tow the line or hit the highway… (Everybody hates The Auditor)...
    Figure 2 ( below ) is actually comprised of two charts. It’s called a bi-wheel. The eclipse chart is on the outside and president elect Obama’s birthday chart is inside. Here you can see the energy centers from the eclipse and how they may be working through president-elect Obama. The economic energy centers are in the 2nd and 8th houses.

    Figure 2
    One aspect of note that Obama’s Solar Return Chart shares with the Eclipse of August 1, 2008 and Oprah’s birth chart, is the North Node conjunct Chiron. In Obama’s Solar Return and Eclipse of August 1st this aspect lands in the 8th House. The 8th House is the house of banking, taxes, law, death, sex and secrets. Celeste Teal in her new book on Lunar Nodes points out some of the traits of those with Nodal contacts to Chiron:
    
    
    

    They often work in a capacity strongly linked to healing fields…They rarely get sick, as they simply have no time for it. Besides teachers and healers there are many activists and politicians in this group, who have influence over the masses and often play a positive role in bringing attention to larger situations in need of remedy.
    

    
    

    
    Oprah Winfrey’s Natal North Node conjunct Natal Chiron is in Capricorn, 5th House (See Figure 3). This is the house of family, especially families with children. Over the years, Oprah has helped millions of people get in touch with their dysfunctional selves.

    
    
    

    Figure 3
    
    

    

    
    

    
    Speaking of Oprah, this week Roseanne was caught on camera getting in touch with her dysfunctional self by tearing poor Oprah to pieces and then issuing an apology. Check out the faux pas at:
    http://www.accesshollywood.com/rosanne-rips-oprah_video_204320
    
    For those of you with failing memory, Roseanne was a popular American sitcom broadcast on ABC from 1988 to 1997 starring stand-up comedian Roseanne Barr. The show portrayed a dysfunctional working-class family struggling to get by on a limited income in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois. Her TV husband went on to star in the Flinstones alongside Halle Barry but alas poor Roseanne didn’t make the cut and hasn’t for a while. Roseanne’s now blogging!!! What a winner!
    
    Look for my Inagural Weekend Blogfest coming soon!!!
    
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• Oprah Coughs Up Big $$$ for Ob

  • From: llazaro633
  • Description:
    The Rise of Obama Part 7
    The_Betty
    

     

    (I just received a comment from someone oversees about my blogs and realized that I need to do more to convey the setting to readers. You’ve got it! Enjoy!)

    The New York Post, reported that besides relocating her show to the Kennedy Center the week of the Presidential Inaguration. "Winfrey is also hosting an exclusive inauguration-night party in Washington at an undisclosed location with her best friend, Gayle King.”
    
    Why can’t Gayle just be a special guest? She has the money, power and association to be a guest? Answer 1: Gayle’s probably a military brat or her Dad had close ties to the Army brass while in Turkey. Answer 2: Oprah doesn’t want her name on it. See Slide 1 for Oprah and Barack Chart. In Oprah Stands by Her Man I helped readers analyze Oprah’s behind the scenes stance with president-elect Obama astrologically. She has planets below the horizon or out of eyesight, and she has Pluto commanding the 12th house or the house of secrets.
    
    

    Don’t buy Answer 1 - try on this overtly secure, 5-Star, on the banks of the Potomac possibility for a Gayle King inspired inaugural party – Fort Lesley J. McNair.

    
    
    

    Slide 2
    

    Slide 3

    

     

    Slide 4

     

    
    
    Fort Lesley J. McNair is the Headquarters for the Military District of Washington (MDW) and home to several prestigious military universities, one of which is the National Defense University. The Officer’s Club is one of the many plantation-style buildings nestled along the banks of the Potomac on Fort McNair. The Club’s fame and fine reputation have made it popular with presidents, members of the House and the Senate, as well as foreign diplomats.
    
    To get in, you need to know someone. In the DMV they say you've got to know someone with brass on their chest. They have to leave your name and particulars two weeks in advance so you can be screened. When you arrive, your vehicle’s under-carriage will be scanned for contraband. Mouth off and you may end up in the Brig calling for help. This is the south and you'll go far saying Sir or Ma'am. Don’t even think of driving drunk or speeding - they’re not having it. Secret: McNair has some pyrotechnic experts who can really put on the fireworks for special guests!! Bigger Secret: Fort McNair is also known in military circles as the headquarters for the Army’s Black Ops. It meets all the security criteria necessary for president-elect Obama who has out paced his predecessors in death-threats.
    
    One not so secret plus about Fort Lesley J. McNair: Oprah, her arm candy, Gayle and the President can hop on a luxe and heated River Taxi and take a visual tour of the DMV. They can either roll north past the White House, Kennedy Center, Rosslyn, Key Bridge and Georgetown University or South to the see the lightshow at the Gaylord. (This should have Michelle Grittin.)
    
    Don’t buy it? Too lame for Oprah! Try on these suggestions for Answer 2. They’re a little less Gayle and more Oprah inspired. Remember, in order for the president to sit down and converse for any length of time the facility has to be secure. So if Gayle is looking for a place for the President and his family to sit down – she has to be mindful of security. The place can’t be too big or too small and public access has to be cut off at a moment’s notice.
    
    I’m sure most of you are reading about celebs who chunked out $50,000 to $300,000 a plate. If this is true, I hope it’s in a secure facility or our new president won’t be able to give them more than 30-minutes of his time – if they see him at all!!
    
    Here are some Answer 2 security friendly spots of note that host 5-star hotel and catering – Oprah-Obi Wan Style:
    
    L’Enfant Plaza
    
    This facility can close off the highway exits, streets, and buildings that surround it. If the party gets dry Gayle and her guests can always go kick it at Michael Jordan’s crib at the bottom of the hill or with the locals at one of 4 -night clubs on the Waterfront.
    
    L’Enfant is also home to one of DC’s best chefs who stews Obi Wan style. Trained in Hong Kong, Bangkok, New York, and Hawaii, Gary Strehl is one of Washington DC's top chefs. His expertise lies in creative seafood dishes -- emphasizing the use of fresh local ingredients combined with the cooking styles of the Pacific Rim. Chef Strehl also gives his international fare a twist by borrowing from traditional American recipes ... blending “the excitement of today's latest trend with a nostalgia for the flavors of our past,” according to Who's Who in America's Restaurants.
    
    Chef Strehl has been featured in Bon Appetit, Food Arts, Honolulu magazine, and USA Today -- as well as on the Food Network. He is the co-author of The New Cuisine of Hawaii and was instrumental in the development of Hawaii's regional cuisine.

    Slide 5 - L'Enfant Plaza

    

    Slide 6

    

     

    Are we hot yet!
    
    The Four Seasons Hotel
    
    Last but not least is the Four Seasons Hotel. This 5-Star Hotel and Restaurant is special because it’s a few blocks away from Oprah’s new digs just due north as the crow flies in Georgetown, and her Kennedy Center Studio 5-7 minutes due south. Securing this spot is old hat for the feds. Again, they can cut off a portion of 29th at Pennsylvania and the ramp exiting Rock Creek Parkway for added Security (This kind of stuff drives us locals crazy). The cuisine is a mix of American East and West Coasts. The 5-Star Restaurant is called the Bourbon Steak and it’s managed by Executive Chef David Varley. Check out the stylish spread for guests below!

    Slide 8 - Typical Four Season Style Spread
    
    

     

    Slide 9 - the Four Seasons offers small side dining areas for those special mid-meal pow-wows with bank rolled supporters.
    
    
    Before I forget -- You know the New York Post article mentioned something about Stedman. Hey, this fool knew he was gonna get played and dump when he didn’t man-up, propose to, and marry Oprah back in the day. Good luck Stedman and will somebody email him a copy of Oprah’s inaugural party pictures.
    
    In closing, I'd like to poke some fun at Stedman. I never liked his ballerina shoes anyway. Am I alone on this?
    

    Ode to Stedman

    Stedman you did Oprah wrong
    Obi’s got your Gal and Gone
    
    Stedman you can’t get no dough
    Obi’s got your ole bank roll
    
    Stedman Viagra just won’t do
    Obi’s a whole lot younger than you
    
    Sound off…one, two…Sound off… one, two, three, four
    

     

     

    ###

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• Obama Acts on Divine Orders as

  • From: llazaro633
  • Description:
    The Rise of Obama Part 6
    The Betty
    
    
    
    "Economists from across the political spectrum agree that if we don't act swiftly and boldly, we could see a much deeper economic downturn that could lead to double-digit unemployment and the American dream slipping further and further out of reach," said president-elect Obama to a group of Congressional leaders.
    
    Andrew Taylor reporter for the Associated Press wrote that Obama’s plan includes the creation of 3 million jobs, new roads, and a $500 to $1,000 tax break for middle class Americans.
    
    The nurturing influence of the Eclipse of August of 2008 is peaking through. (See Slide 1 The Eclipse of August 2008 alongside president-elect Barack Obama’s Chart.)
    
    

    Slide 1

    
    
    

    

    
    
    In my first installment of The Rise of Obama in December 2008, I pointed to the similarities between Obama’s Solar Return Chart and the Eclipse of August 2008 (shown above). I offered that the Eclipse chart indicated a win for Obama and his divine marching orders for leading this country out of chaos. One astrological indicator of note showed that:
    
    Closely married to the Sun and Moon is the planet Mercury. This close placement makes it Ruler of the Eclipse of August 2008. Mercury integrates the influence of Virgo into Leo. Virgo has, over the eons, been associated with the Goddess of fertility…One key word used for Virgo is nurture so we should expect the emphasis to remain on health and the environment. So look for president elect Obama to propose bills to congress designed to beef up our natural resources, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, stabilize our food supply and change the nation’s health care delivery processes. He will demand that America become less dependent on foreign anything so there is hope for the American car industry among others.
    
    Similarly, the Economic Stimulus Bill is asking for money to:
    
    
    
    …go toward infrastructure projects, blending old-fashioned brick and mortar programs such as road and bridge repairs and water projects with new programs such as research and development on energy efficiency and an expensive rebuilding of the information technology system for health care.
    
    
    
    

    Well Golly Gee!
    
    But what about Gaza and the proposed cease fire?
    
    News reports streaming in from Washington show a not too fired up Condoleezza Rice going through the motions of providing her “end of times” briefings to Bush and the public on Gaza. In fact, most of Bush’s lame duck rank and file are more interested in profiting from renting out their DC digs for the inauguration then lending a helping hand in the waning moments of their commander’s presidency. Jonathan Martin conveys the lame duck administration’s sentiments in this article from Politico that ran Friday, January 2, 2009.
    
    “One Bush administration official who is heading to the Italian Alps explained the logic with precision in an e-mail:
    
    1. I am out of a job on Jan 20 at noon, no better time to take a vacation. 2. I like skiing, and have not seen my whole family in almost a year, no better time to get home and ski for a week. 3. Why bunker up and be in this town for that week, when we all know that [the crowds] will be worse than [the] Cherry Blossom [Festival] or Memorial Day?

    
    
    

    Good capitalists that they are, some of these Republicans are among the Washingtonians looking to rent out their homes to well-heeled Democrats who will pony up for a place to stay.”
    
    Hello…hello…Bush aides! Are you out there? Gaza is not going away! Why are you running off to Vegas and booking European ski trips? Why have you left Bush and the American public hanging? Don’t you know that as of this writing, Israeli troops are invading Gaza and the Palestinians are waiting? They claim they have a surprise!
    
    I promised I would keep the focus in these blogs…I’m not going to get stereotypical here…I’m not…I’m trying…
    
    If you recall, in my last blog: Why Obama has no comment on Gaza, I showed how our president-elect on vacation in Honolulu could:

    
    misinterpret someone or be misinterpreted

    
    But in Washington, DC president-elect Obama can’t dodge reporters or remain invisible. Oddly, in the midst of Bush Aides fleeing despite a total breakdown in the economy and foreign affairs, Obama stepped forward and said that “only one President can run the country at a time.” Let’s see how he fares for the next 72-hours while Israeli troops march through Gaza and the Economic Stimulus Bill is hung out as daily laundry. To make things interesting, here are some short term predictions and recommendations for President-elect Barack Obama for Monday, January 5, through Tuesday, January 8.

    
    Predictions for Monday, January 5
    In the coming hours president elect Barack Obama will become increasingly impatient with the way the Bush Administration is handling the diplomacy matters surrounding Israel and Gaza. He will feel as if he is being taken for granted and as a result he may attempt to break his prior agreements to allow one president to lead at a time. The president-elect may take a step toward addressing the invasion of Gaza. Look for a break-through sometime Sunday or early Monday. Sadly, this break-through may immediately be followed by either a violent physical attempt on the president elect or a spike in death threats. President-elect Obama should be careful not to appear as if he’s heading a coup de etat. Instead, he should make public his wish that Bush provide hourly updates on the developments in Gaza by Condelezza and the remaining Bush Aides. By late Monday, January 5, someone on Bush’s staff offers a solid briefing to the president-elect on the details.
    
    Predictions for Tuesday, January 6
    President-elect Obama will be involved with a number of early morning meetings. During one of them he will be posed with a unique one time opportunity. Let’s hope it’s not a trip to Gaza, or a concession that has him back pedaling even further on his campaign promises. Chances are he will obtain the concessions and buy-ins he needs to get the Economic Stimulus Bill through the Senate by the end of next week. He wants to switch his focus to more pressing issues occurring abroad. By late in the day, he’ll receive word that his chances of pulling this through are better than anticipated. This will put him in the mood to horse around with the kids after school. Look for this final moment as an ordinary man to be interrupted when our president-elect is called upon by a one time adversary or War official.
    
    Predictions for Wednesday, January 7
    President elect Obama will have learned a great deal Monday and Tuesday, but he still is not the president. He will remain determined to hold fast to the commitment to allow one president to serve at a time. This is not easy when Rome is burning. For sure, the news crews will probably catch a glimpse of Obama’s Obi Wan persona as he attempts to appear in control, more introspective and attuned to family matters. Maybe the Hays Adams Hotel is not as safe as he once considered? Maybe he’ll realized he’s been overtly compromised? Maybe he’s still pondering the conversation he had with the War official the night before? Good news streams in during the afternoon but is soon short circuited by other problems later in the day. Maybe the Economic Stimulus Bill is being met by another major setback and a cease fire in Gaza seems further away then anticipated? Regardless of the issues it will become clear that it’s not time yet for President Obama. Thank goodness Obi Wan will be on hand to help sweat the silence.
    
    Predictions for Thursday, January 8
    By morning president-elect Obama will be settled with the fact that he’ll just have to live a few more days not knowing what he’s inheriting as President Obama. He’ll be more determined to get out and exercise or enjoy some form of physical activity. Before the morning is over he may learn of a death of a relative or colleague and/or may hear news of a birth or pregnancy. Good news about the Economic Stimulus Bill may arrive shortly before noon. This news will give Obama the feeling that he’s breaking down once very formidable barriers and moving -- albeit sightless and at a snail’s pace -- forward.
    
    Recommendations:

    
    
    • Stay in your Obi Wan mode or run the risk of being misunderstood. Bush and his buddies like Condoleezza are just trying to test how long you can remain calm. It’s the Washington Way.
    
    
    • Stay focused on the Economic Stimulus Bill.
    
    
    • Double check all details concerning lodging. You will not be able to have any personal or classified meetings at the Hays-Adams.
    
    
    • Enjoy your last days as an ordinary man.
    
    
    • If matters worsen in Gaza, tell the American people the truth: (1) You are not yet in the position to receive these types of classified briefings, and (2) No one has offered or invited you to any classified briefings concerning Gaza or any other foreign matter.
    
    
    • Keep the names of those who approach you with classified info a secret even though anyone’s call, email, text or appearance at the Hays Adams will be suspect and far from secret. Just treat them as if they were sent to provide mis-information.
    
    
    • Stay away from Oprah for the time being. The hotel suite is fine and re-decorating is not necessary. Besides, re-decorating might disturb a listening device or two.
    
    
    • You can’t expect Michelle to stay hemmed up in a bugged hotel suite with Secret Service in the room. After the kids are settled in a routine say yes to her request to fly home to see Mom.

    
    
    

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• Introducing "Just a Season"

  • From: jwills
  • Description:

    Just a Season is a luminous story into the life of a man who, in the midst of pain and loss, journeys back in time to reexamine all the important people, circumstances, and intellectual fervor that contributed to the richness of his life.
    
    This fictional narrative begins with a grief-stricken father visiting the grave site of his beloved son who was killed in a tragic accident; a moment that he and no other loving parent should ever have to face. As he sadly gazes at his son's headstone and reads what is inscribed there, the dates 1981 - 2001 bring about an illuminating discovery.
    
    The tiny dash that separates the years of one's birth and death represents the whole of a person's life. So if this tiny dash were to tell his life's story, what would it say? In Just a Season, the dash of this man's life is revealed and what emerges from the pages of this book is a legacy of true benevolence and grace.
    
    Praise for Just a Season . . .
    
    "Just a Season is a thought provoking novel by author, John T. Wills. ...focusing on various topics such as pain, suffering, love and life. The characters and the plot are captured very well. It is very well written from beginning to end. This is one of those books, where you cannot judge the book based on its title and cover." Congratulations well done! -- Afrika Asha Abney
    
    ". . . Thank you for your example of tenderness and discipline in what I know is a story of love, delicately shared with readers in a way that says, this life, though brief, is significant. So hold it in highest regard for "the dash" is our legacy to love ones, indeed to the world, which we are blessed to share, albeit, for Just a Season." Excellent! --Sistah Joy, Poet, Cable TV Host
    
    "Wills pulls you in from the very first page... Just a Season is a heart-wrenching story about growing up and believing in yourself. I highly recommend this book to young men in high school, trying to find themselves and feeling like they have nowhere to turn." -- Cheryl Hayes, APOOO Book Club
    
    "Not since The Color Purple have I read a book that evoked such emotions. John T. Wills possesses the ability to transport the reader directly into the life and struggles of his main characters story. I was educated in a way that did not afford me the benefit of truly understanding the significance of the historical events taught from a stand alone perspective. This book actually touched my heart and inspired me to increase the equity in my "dash"! Excellent -- Tonja Covington
    
    "John T. Wills captures male bonding between generations and lets the reader passively watch as family love and closeness unfold on the pages . . ." Outstanding -- A great read -- Cheryl Robinson, Host and Executive Producer of JustAboutBooksTalkShow.com
    
    "JUST A SEASON is laced with thought-provoking commentary on the Vietnam War, the assassinations of the 1960s, the migration of crack cocaine into inner-city neighborhoods, and a myriad of other ills that have rocked America. This is a very good piece intertwined with several history lessons spanning many decades." -- Dawn Reeves, RAWSISTAZ Book Club
    
    "John T. Wills particulars each notion so eloquently that you feel that you're actually right there with him... this is an inflicting history lesson that I believe all African American males should experience." JUST A SEASON is a pivotal read -- Carmen, OOSA ONLINE BOOK CLUB
    
    "From the first page you are transported into John's world as if you are there and are experiencing it with him. I am amazed at how John is able to use the events of the time to let you know where you are in time. I felt as if I was teleported... his ability to describe what was going on during that time makes me extremely proud of my heritage. You will come away with a feeling of, now I know why that is. I thoroughly enjoyed "Just a Season". - Mia L. Haynes
    
    "Just a Season is a work of love, respect and honor... A book filled with the wonder of life, and the pain and growth encountered in living it." Outstanding! -- Ron Watson, Editor, New Book Reviews.Org
    
    "in the final analysis the tiny little dash represents the whole of a person's life . If someone, for whatever reason, were to tell the story concealed within my dash. What might they say? ". A thought provoking and powerful read that will forever resonate within my soul . . . Speechless . . . Carron
    
    This novel is 9 X 6 inches in size, 370 pages embracing the wonders of a life.
    Visit: www.justaseason.com to read a chapter, reviews, and more information.
    
    I would greatly appreciate your sharing this message and my pages www.myspace.com/justaseason with your friends in support of this effort.
    I humbly thank you for your support .

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• jwills

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• Jeff "Jughead" Johnson

  • From: kayp
  • Description:

    jeff johnson's commentary today, worked my nerve.  you can let your children believe in the magic of santa claus and the reality of Jesus.

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  • 11 months ago
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• Lessons Learned from this Pres

  • From: E_Joyce
  • Description:

    To say that I am emotionally, even physically exhausted by this election is an understatement.   This election has generated more frustration, wonder, profound astonishment, infused with lots of creative writing.  Heck, I made it into the hallowed halls of Huffington Post three times.   I have volunteered in ways I would never have imagined, spoken out in the fitness gym, in the grocery store, even in the sauna to perfect strangers -- about this election.  I feel as though I am addicted to CNN and Jon Stewart.  So I decided to sit down and determine what, if anything, I learned from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

     

    Lesson One: Truth does not have the same definition for everyone.  What both baffled and frustrated me was how many people chose to listen to only what they wanted to hear, bending the truth to fit what they perceived to be reality.   The notion that someone could repeatedly tell one who they are, show them who they are, tell them again who they are….only to have the same people say “I don’t  really know who you are” tells me you just don’t really want to know, What I took away from this is that there are people who have a very clear view, in their minds, of who people are according to race, gender, physical characteristics.  When someone does not fit that view and, in fact, destroys that view, some become uncomfortable, some become suspicious, others become angry.  Because you now have to see them as they are, not as you want them to be.  And you can't pretend they aren't there, as you have in the past.  So you look for anything, anything to justify bending the truth.  How sad for those who choose that path.  Some time ago, I wrote a small piece about the concept of truth and its impact:  There are always at least two sides to every story. Somewhere in between is where the truth is hidden. Those who seek the truth, even when it is not what they want to hear, will live the most genuine life. Your decisions may be the same, but they will be based upon an unadulterated integrity. If there is a small voice inside you whispering questions, have the courage to seek the answers, lest your personal truth becomes counterfeit by omission. Decisions made, actions taken, judgments ruled -- sans listening to every faction with as much objectivity as humanly possible -- will always be based upon warped evidence, ultimately causing those who continue stand upon such flawed reality, to fall.   

    Lesson number two:  For the right reasons, even the most passive American can be awakened to action.  Like Barack Obama or not, most will agree that he has had quite an impact on the American public.  Young and old, every gender and race, has got an opinion and have acquired a voice about this election.  Which leads to…

    Lesson number three:  All of America now realizes that race in America is still a major issue in which there is plenty of room for growth. “Joe Six-pack”, “hockey mom” and “small town America” becomes code for the Anglo population that Palin is so approving of.  Most have been able to keep their racial points of view out of the public eye, but this presidential race brought the color of skin issue to every citizen’s doorstep, Race could not be dismissed, made invisible, or ignored. The repeated mantra, “I don’t know him.,”  has become another way of saying one can never really know a person of color, their genuine motives or if they are who they say they are, if they do not fit into the prescribed stereotypes that have been consistently, historically and politically socialized in the United States.   The use of labels – socialist (which in and of itself has a historical meaning when used to refer to African Americans), Marxist, Communist, terrorist -- all allow for the notion that confirms African Americans as a people who are always suspect.  This actually has historic relevance, as there has always been the myth that if three or more African Americans are together and talking, in a school, social, or corporate environment then they are plotting something.  Having had this and other anecdotal experiences, knowing others who echo similar experiences tells me that the paranoia and mistrust of others who don’t look like ”you,” is a pervasive stain on the fabric of this country.  Consider what might happen if you chose to change your mind?

    Lesson number four: The public media does not have the journalistic integrity I assumed.  When I first heard terms like “corporate media” liberally sprinkled though out public commentary as the primaries began to collect steam, I actually had to dig and find out – much to my amazement --- who really owned who and how many of those corporations had millions of lobbyist dollars on the line in Washington, DC.  Watching news stations, as these members of the small society with the power of the mike began to inject their bias and the bias of their corporate employers.  With their bias came their personal opinions; upon the discovery of having one, they decided that because they were in control of the mike, they hatched the misconception that we needed to hear – repeatedly – what that opinion was.  True journalistic reporting went out the window as straight forward coverage of the facts turned into a game of I-got-next rhetoric, parsed with sensationalized gossip, sliced up and served as news.  Most of my favorites sources fell from their journalistic pedestals landing in the mire of the reality that they are all, in the end, just humans with prejudices, opinions, agendas and egos.  There are times when I found more facts on The Daily Show.

    Lesson number five: Having a television show does not qualify your opinion as credible.  I found the eclectic mix of fact and funny on The Daily Show and the Colbert Report an interesting  take on truth.  Mostly because they knew how to support their spin.  Then there’s the View.  Elisabeth Hasselbeck is a loser from a reality show with absolutely no credentials that give any of her opinions credibility.  But because she is kept on the View (controversy sells in America, the fact that we don't like her allows her to keep her job) she actually believes her own hype and actually thinks people care about her opinion. Apparently she believes that if you repeat misinformation often enough, it becomes the truth -- which seems to be the current Republican strategy.   Cute sells ads, but one has to have something more to bring to the table, as time will prove out. I personally hope her fifteen minutes are about up. 

    Lesson number six: This campaign has gotten people to talk to one another.  A friend of mine commented that she has engaged in conversations with more strangers of all races, ages and genders about the election.  I have to admit I never saw myself being this involved in politics, writing, calling, volunteering. Talking to strangers in the checkout lines at the grocery, the sauna at the gym, anywhere people are gathered for more than a minute.

    Lesson number seven:  The Bible warns us not to put new wine into old wineskins because they will split.  As I watch state after state use their existing process of voting to accept and count a record number of votes, including my own state where I am actually working at the polls, I will not be at all surprised at the chaos that will likely result from trying to make old systems work with new voters.  Your best bet is to vote as early as you can.

    Lesson number eight, you can’t double dip at a  party because you leave behind some really gross looking germs, ginger really does help with motion sickness and  refrigerated onions are less likely to make you cry when you chop them.  I learned this because I am exhausted by this election and watching Food Detectives on the Food Network is mercifully without commercials.

     

    Get your Vote out today. By telling everyone that the race is basically over, the Republicans are hoping that the less motivated of the Democrats and Undecideds will think that it is not necessary to vote. Those of us who want Obama to win MUST vote. We can not be complacent, or else the lead will very quickly turn to a dead heat or worse.
    This is all a political game. Some of us have a better understanding of it than others, and some of us (like myself) are still just trying to learn all of the rules - forgetting that there are no rules. Each side will do whatever is in their power (good, bad & ugly) to win this or any election. So the power we voters have is go out and vote.

     

     

    There are always at least two sides to every story. Somewhere in between is where the truth is hidden. Those who seek the truth, even when it is not what they want to hear, will live the most genuine life. Your decisions may be the same, but they will be based upon an unadulterated integrity. If there is a small voice inside you whispering questions, have the courage to seek the answers, lest your personal truth becomes counterfeit by omission. Decisions made, actions taken, judgments ruled -- sans listening to every faction with as much objectivity as humanly possible -- will always be based upon warped evidence, ultimately causing those who continue stand upon such flawed reality, to fall.
    
    E. Joyce Moore
    2008 Avatar Literary Award for Spiritual Excellence Nominee
    BLOG: http://jemiltd.bravejournal.com/
    Black America Web - http://affiliate.kickapps.com/16936/E_Joyce
    You Tube Political Blog: http://www.youtube.com/jemiltd
    Author: Gettin' to the Good Wood http:/www.goodwood.bravehost.com
                 Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought (poetry) Available on Amazon November 10, 2008
                 I Like Brown (children's book)
                Jahzzara (children's book)
    Contributor: Huffington Post www.huffingtonpost.com
                        Chicken Soup for the African American Soul,
                        What is the Purpose of a Banana? by Dr. Carlton Green,
                        MoAD Stories Project - Museum of African Diaspora,
                        The Heart of Our Community: Anthology
                        Songs of Hope: Anthology of Poetry
                        Gumbo for the Soul

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