Really...You're Surprised at His Answer? [How dumb are you]

       Really...we have nothing better to do than be surprised when someone answers a question asked in the way we should expect them to answer it? I was aggravated on my morning drive when every radio station they were discussing Phil Roberson, the patriarch of the family whose daily dealings are chronicled on the show ‘Duck Dynasty’.  He had an interview with GQ (of all magazines) and they asked him about homosexuals/homosexuality and he answered the question he was asked and expounded a bit. Let me qualify his answer with the fact that their show, their family values, their books, shirts, etc. are all based on the Christian principles of the Roberson family. They pride themselves in being devout Christians and living their live according to the teachings of Christ (Bible while exhibit family values in all they do. This being said, no one should be surprised that his answer wasn’t glowing with regard to homosexuality.  I haven’t read his GQ interview yet, I will, but I read an article in Time on this matter and one quote he made, “We never, ever judge someone on who’s going to heaven, hell. That’s the Almighty’s job,” he said, adding, “We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus—whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?”, is being particularly harped on. What’s the big deal here?

       According to scripture homosexuality is sin as are being drunk and senselessly terrorizing/killing folks. When we face God for judgment He won’t put on above another, they are all sin. Why is it that Christians answer questions according to their Christian beliefs they are labelled intolerant, anti-gay, etc.? This was an issue not too long ago for Chic-Fil-A and now for Duck Dynasty…really? How stupid are we that we allow society, the media and some irritated sexual deviants dictate what we can and cannot say and what belief system we can or cannot espouse. Last I checked the 1^st amendment didn’t just protect the LGBT community, but it also protects those of us who choose to follow God and share our belief system with those we encounter. Years ago I heard a sermon entitled ‘Persecuted for the Right Reason’ [Shirley Reaves], I think this aptly describes the indefinite suspension of Phil Roberson from the A&E show Duck Dynasty that’s based around his family. Besides, how many of these idiots from GLAAD actually watch his show? But they’re actively harassing any and all advertisers to drop the show because he said what he feels and believes.

       I know someone will reply saying he doesn’t like black people either. They may even cite that he said black folk were happy in the pre-civil rights era.   He basically that the black folks he was exposed to lived, world and were nappy like everyone else around him. I think we need to stop persecuting folks like this for standing on their beliefs and stop giving credence to these drama ‘queens’ who make mountains out of molehills and attack everything folks say, twist their words to say something more dramatic than what they actually said. He has a right to say what he said just as they have a right to do what they do. You want us to live and let live, but you won’t practice the same.

It’s Just My Opinion But I’m Not Wrong.

I Must Admit…It’s True

I haven’t taken the time to sit down to leave a few words in quite a while. It’s unfortunate that I had to be angered to compose this piece. Teddy makes a great point in this quote. Since my early years, I’ve been a student of the politics of the day. I’ll never forget the surprise on the face of Jerry Hickman as I was describing the layers of government in civics class (and correcting the textbook on at least one occasion). I believe that, while it isn’t perfect, we have the greatest governmental machine in the world. We allow, to a certain extent, the people to choose their leaders, their laws and their fate. No other country in the world allows as many freedoms as are allowed in the United States of America. So my next position will bring pause to some of you. I personally believe we have too many freedoms in this country and, to a certain extent, we allow the people to be involved in too much that they’re uninformed about.


This quote says a great deal, especially when you reflect on those you know who either were vehemently opposed to President Barack Obama and couldn’t tell you why, or those who were staunch supporters and couldn’t tell you what his platform was. I mean I literally heard a woman argue that she didn’t like the president because he sat under the pastorate of Jeremiah Wright and had to know he was racist. She then said her issue was that he was a Muslim and didn’t back down from either when exposed to the contrast between the two, adding that he was an atheist because his father was one. So I guess that made him an Islamic Christian atheist. On the other hand I spoke to a woman who was upwards of 45 years old who admitted that it was her first time voting when the president ran in 2008. She went on to admit that she was only voting for him because she wanted to see a black man as president in her lifetime. I went on to tell her she was dishonoring the lives of those who dies for her to have the right to vote. I am of the mindset that neither of these people deserves the right to vote as they aren’t exercising the spirit of the vote in choosing whoever is best for their community and best for the position they are running.

I was one that argued against the statement that folks were opposed to our current president due to the hue of his epithelial coat. I was living with the notion that we are more intelligent, as a country, than that. However, with the compilation of events dating back to 2007, I must admit…it’s true. We’ve had folks oppose a president in the past and manage to still do what needs to be done for the country. We’ve had members of the senate and congress who didn’t agree with the president and put it aside to make sure the country’s best interest was first. We’ve had men and women in uniform not agree with the commander in chief but still carry out the orders presented to them. However, folks calling the president a liar on national television, governors verbally chastising a grown man in public (complete with the wagging finger) and now because he won reelection, utilizing the primary system set forth in this great country of ours (no supreme court intervention required), you have students burning effigies, signs and causing disturbances on college campuses and secession petitions being filed by some residents of the state of Texas (and over a dozen other states). With over 40,000 Texans signing this petition, I must admit…it’s true. This isn’t even scratching the surface on all of the other disgraceful antics displayed by members of the media, celebrities, sons of presidential opponents, etc that went unmentioned. On this day, I’m convinced that a great deal of the tom foolery allowed to go on with regard to the disrespect shown to the man sitting in the office of president of the United States is due to the his ancestral origin, I must admit…it’s true. When has it been allowed for a school to choose to not display the picture of the sitting president? When has it, or should it be, allowed for someone to lynch an effigy of a sitting president? At no time in American history have we seen a president, sitting or otherwise, disrespected at the level this one has. I, for one, am ashamed that we as a country cannot come together and do what needs to be done because some folks don’t want to follow someone that doesn’t look like them. I’m not saying everyone against him is against him because he’s black (that would be foolish and irresponsible), but I will say there is a contingent that’s making a noise that is wearing a brand new pair of these shoes and yes, they fit nicely, I must admit…it’s true. There are some who may be offended by this as there are others who think the same way but won’t say it.

Let’s be clear, I’m sick of folks thumping the racism card on the table every 10 seconds. I’m normally the last to make a claim of this nature (those who know me know this to be true)but in this case, I must admit…it’s true. It pains me to make this assertion in this case, but if you don’t see it the perhaps you need to take off the rose colored glasses. We, as a country, as a society, and as a people (American people) need to reexamine our relationships, our outlooks and reassess our allegiances. Do we really love our country, or are we for or against a particular person (or party)? Let’s all work together to stand firm for America, regardless of who sits as commander in chief. Respect the office, the man is just there for four more years.

It’s just my opinion, but I’m not wrong.

Are We Really Mad at the Right People?

The other day I was sent a link to a story on a fraternity party that took place at UC San Diego. When I read the header I got a little angry. It read, “UC San Diego party mocking Black History Month shows racism.” I was angry because again we have someone making fun of black folks and where we’ve come from, all the struggles we had to get where we are, all the lives lost in the civil rights movement to have this kind of garbage take place! In 2010?!?!?! As I read the story, my anger waned a bit, then as I continued to read I got angry again. I wasn’t angry at the silly white folk who had this party. I wasn’t angry at the school for not doing anything about it. I wasn’t angry at the fraternity rep for not acknowledging they’d done anything wrong.

By the last sentence I read I was angry at those who perpetuate the stereotypes they were making fun of. I was incensed about the fact that as I read the depictions I actually know people fit the description they were giving. I grew angry and started thinking about the post I put up last week and how it bothered me to even see people who try their level best t emulate the foolishness and ludicrous chicanery he promotes.

Let me make myself perfectly clear…yes I believe it was insensitive of these college kids to have this party and promote it as though it had something to do with black history month [kind of like the students from Tarleton State did a few years ago for MLK weekend]. I was aggravated at that and more. However, how mad can I be when they were actually emulating, imitating and acting like people I know. It’s not like they had on black face and were doing the chicken George saying we act like that. They were talking about people who make up words [like conversate] and talk loudly like that makes you listen to them more intently. They mocked folks who make it their business to make noises, such as ‘hmmg!’, or smack their lips, and make other angry noises, grunts, and faces. They made sport of the same ignorance that people like me don’t tolerate and try to avoid.

Back in the day I used to get uncomfortable when my white friends would make a statement like, “…you know, you’re not like them.” I’d commence to start acting like I’m ghetto as hell to prove my blackness. Today, I carry statements like that as a badge of honor. THANK YOU for recognizing that I’m not like them! You see, for too long our community has uplifted the negative and looked at the positive as ‘acting white’. We’ve treated folk who use an SAT vocabulary as though something is wrong with them and made fun of the kids who make good grades. I’m here to tell you, it’s not acting white, it’s acting right and it’s high time we realize it.

Stop getting mad at the people who make fun of the people that make you look bad. You need to make fun of they asses too; rather than glorifying and lifting them up. They’re ignorant, slothful, trifling, irresponsible, and whole litany of other terms I shan’t delve into right now. I’ll only get mad at white folk making fun of me and people like me. Chris Rock said it best “…it ain’t the black folk doing all the stupid stuff, robbing, stealing, raping; it’s them niggers. Just making good black folks look bad!” I challenge you to dialogue with the white folks who sponsored this party (or some like them). I would venture to make a bet that they were just ‘having a little fun.’ And no one was supposed to be hurt, insulted, or take offense. I’d even bet that there may have been a couple of brown and black faces in the crowd at the party. We need to stop jumping to condemn every event that takes place as though it’s racism.

This wasn’t racism, it was a case of some dumb college kids making fun of a group of people who can do better, but choose not to so they need to be made fun of. I know somebody is going to be mad at me when they read this, but I really don’t care. Examine the whole scenario and come talk to me afterwards. Besides, if you haven’t already realized it yet by the tagline at the end of every posting…I don’t care if you don’t agree. You want a case of modern day racism, Google Johnson & Wales University in Denver. They just did an interview with some students from there on their local Fox channel. That’s racism…not this garbage. Have a great day.

It’s Just My opinion, but I’m not wrong

Pacman, Palin, and the Bailout

Most people who know me know that I am a die hard Dallas Cowboys fan. I have been for a very long time. I often tell people that’s why I moved to Dallas. However, they’ve made some decisions that I don’t agree with as of late. They brought in T.O. a couple of years ago and I stopped buying season tickets. He hasn't negatively affected the tem since he joined, I still don't like the decision. They brought in Tank Johnson after being dropped by the Bears. He stepped into the defense and s doing a good job, hasn't been in trouble with the law since coming to Texas. We actually got him for a deal due to his legal indiscretions. Then they brought in Adam [Pacman] Jones after a spree that all black folks ought to be shamed of. Why? We all know that [whether we admit it or not] black folk are maligned by the actions of other black folk. I was conversing with a colleague in regards to his present situation and he commented that Goodell was too hard on him. I had to look at him twice to make sure he wasn’t joking, then I asked why he felt this way. He quipped, “If he was a white boy they wouldn’t have done nothing to him.” First of all, we ought not set out standards on looking at other folk, least of all white folk. I’m so sick of hearing that as an excuse for the actions for people’s actions. Why can’t we set standards for ourselves that WE reach for and exceed? Why is it that we can’t set objectives that have nothing to do with others? Matter of fact, if we want to emulate others [regardless of race] why don’t we emulate the likes of Michael Dell and Bill Gates? How about Chris Gardner or John H Johnson? Back to ‘Adam’; I think his suspension was just and Goodell wouldn’t be wrong if he’d ban him for life. Tough? Cruel? I don’t think so. He’s been given over 15 chances and acts like he can’t act right. It’s a privilege for him to be paid a king’s ransom to play a child’ game; obviously he doesn’t appreciate that privilege. The other thing they need to do is similar to what they do in baseball, start a mentoring program for these new millionaires when they enter into the league. Make the program mandatory and a part of their contract. Many of these young men don’t know what to do with that type of money and may not have the network around them when they sign their contract to handle it properly. Limiting the amount of their contract they get over the first 2 or 3 years wouldn’t be a bad thing either; a graduated contract contingent on participation in the programs they have for them [with guaranteed payout in the case of career ending injury during that time]. Just a thought…

The Republican Party has received a lot of flack for the choice John McCain made in his vice presidential nominee. Alaska’s governor, Sarah Palin, has been maligned for not being experienced; she’s been criticized for her support of abstinence only education while her own daughter became a statistic; she’s been ridiculed for her devout Pentecostal beliefs and made fun of for not knowing what periodicals she reads. I, for one, have a little sympathy [very little] for her. According to those that served with her in Wasilla, she was a good councilwoman and mayor. Her role as governor has been tarnished by the outcome of an investigation with regard to her brother-in-law and his job. All of this being said, think about her position. Coming from a small town and a sparsely populated state and thrust onto the national spotlight has to be difficult to handle. If you look deeply into any of our lives you’ll find some things that others might find inappropriate, may not agree with or might be critical of. Much of what she’s been criticized of, many of us have experienced. No one’ s life is above reproach, NO ONE. That's why you'll not see me on a stage of this altitude. I'd like to keep my closet closed. Just a thought…

It’s been a few weeks since my last post. Life kind of caught up with me for a minute. Anyways, I’m still trying to figure out how congress, who’s elected by their constituents, could pass a bill that’s opposed by over 70% of America, their constituents? Hmmm…makes me wonder. By the way, I’m no economist, but using my limited math skills the total for this ‘bailout’ is gonna cost those of us who got a house we could afford, paid our mortgages on time and live within our means over a trillion dollars [maybe 2] when it’s all said and done. Nothing chaps my hide more than wasting my money!!! However I don’t feel like there’s nothing I can do. I’ll be posting the names [before Nov 4] of every senator and congressman who voted for that crap here and encouraging us all to vote for somebody else. With my understanding of the political system, elected officials are supposed to act on the wishes of their constituents. If most of America, who aren’t happy about the bailout would let their elected officials know by electing someone else, their successors would take notice. I’m one of those who believes that you ought to do what you say you’re going to do and every elected official claims that their main role is to serve their constituency. By the way, where'sthe bailout for the college grads strapped with over $40,000 in loans? Just a thought…

It's Just My Opinon, But I'm Not Wrong!