Veterans Day Tribute

On this Veterans Day, I must take the time to acknowledge the sacrifices each member of the armed forces has made on our behalf as well as the risks you’ve taken that afford those who have not, and will not, serve the freedoms that they enjoy. There are those who may not have served as a result of their own decisions, those who chose to serve due to limited employment outlooks, those who served as a result of the pride they have in where they live and a desire to help keep their families and neighbors safe. Regardless of your inspiration to serve, you did so, and your dedication to the missions that you were assigned in some way made it easier for us to live in and enjoy the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. You acutely understand that freedom is surely NOT free; someone has to fight, kill and guard against foes to keep it. Even for those whose desire it is to give it away. A man once said, “we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it?” You each answered that call and served this great nation. You had a greater responsibility than most folks could possibly fathom. You served for those who didn’t agree with the mission you were assigned and the lives that were lost as a result of your service could voice their malcontent to each. You lived according to a set of disciplines that were based on honor, code, and loyalty, words that to many in our society mean nothing. I thank you for serving when the pay was minimal, the recognition was nonexistent and the popular sentiment was against you. I thank you for serving while protestors protested, media outlets maligned and politicians made decisions that weren’t in your best interest. I sincerely thank you for serving and protecting the rights of the likes of Wikileaks to spread propaganda that puts your lives in jeopardy. For spending days, weeks, and months away from the families that you love I thank you. It is because of these, and many unlisted, unfelt, and often unknown, sacrifices I thank you. Oftentimes the greatest sacrifices go unnoticed…yet they are so necessary. Happy Veterans Day to all Veterans; past, present, and future.

It’s just my opinion and YOU KNOW I’m not wrong!

I’m a Guy…No I’m a Girl….No, I’m a Guy…UGH! I can’t Decide…

This might sound a little silly to you, but it’s the feeling I got when I recently read an article about a girl/guy who’s attending George Washington University. The girl who’s now a guy formerly known as Kay-Kay who now wants to be known as Kye and wants to play, as a guy, on the women’s basketball team [yea, I’m confused too] has decided that they were born as a man trapped in a woman’s body. The article I read quotes them as saying, “I didn't choose to be born in this body and feel the way I do. I decided to transition -- that is, change my name and pronouns -- because it bothered me to hide who I am, and I am trying to help myself and others to be who they are…” Okay I get it that you feel that you’re a man trapped in a woman’s body (I really don’t, but it sounds politically correct to say that I do) and I get it that you now want to start living as the person you really are (this I do get, but then again I’m not confused about who I am-I’m a lesbian trapped in a man’s body). What I don’t get is how you want to have your cake and eat it too. What I don’t get is the flip flopping of feelings, but wanting folks to respect how you feel. What I don’t get his how this school, who claims to support this decision, is allowing this turn of events to transpire. What I don’t get is why the NCAA hasn’t made a stance on a guy (by self profession and desire) playing on a woman’s athletic team.

Let me elucidate…if you are a man trapped in a woman’s body and you want to stop living a lie, then why is it that you’re changing your name and pronouns, but not your team affiliation? I mean, seriously, if you’re that hell bent on being a dude and the rest of the team looks at you as their ‘big brother’ anyways then go try out for the guy’s team. You’re confused and selfish is all I can see. On one hand you want folks to stop treating you like a woman and don’t want folks to refer to you as she or her, but at the same time you still want to play on the women’s team. How about this? How about you make a decision, stick to it and deal with whatever comes with the decision you make. If that means you give up college ball, then deal with that. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut and live with the lie until you’re done with school. I don’t care whether you characterize yourself as male, female, or hermaphrodite, just choose one and stay with it (she does look a bit like Bow-Wow anyway). That’s a part of living life…dealing with what comes with our own decisions.

By the way, if George Washington University allows this person to be referred to as a guy (and changes the way they’re introduced in starting lineups, programs, etc.) then they’re as wrong as two left shoes as well. One of our greatest problems as a society is sheltering folks from the consequences of their decisions. Oh, I forgot, perhaps this might translate into more ticket sales for George Washington; or perhaps they might get a little more attention on their female [or is it male] athletic program. Ok, I got it! This might attract other female athletes who’re confused about their gender, and just happen to be good athletes, to go to this school. Oh, I forgot, it’s all good as long as someone can profit from it. Sad to say, but it appears that this school is seeking to profit from the confusion of a young lady who’s dealing with a lot and allowing her to keep playing on both sides of the fence doesn’t at all help her in her decision making process. Shame on George Washington and shame on the NCAA if this isn’t halted.

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

The Only Thing Worse Than Not Voting

As I sit here, reading and contemplating, I keep thinking about all of the radio and television ads. All of the attacks on character and voting records. I keep thinking about all of the folks whose only campaign strategy is to make the other guy look bad. Unfortunately, the voters get so focused on whatever it is that is brought up on one candidate, that they fail to even evaluate the qualifications of the one who's slinging the mud. No one checks to see what they've done in their past; if they graduated college, or where. No one checks to see if their campaign platform lines up with their desires, values and principles. It's the art of misdirection…I have nothing good about me so I'll do all I can to deflect the attention away from my inadequacies and onto someone else. Sadly, we elect many of our elected officials in just this way. That's pretty bad, but it's not the worse thing about the political Olympics that take place every two years….there's more.

Every time I turn around I hear Tom Joyner, Roland Martin, Steve Harvey, and the list goes on making statements like, '…every African American listening to my voice needs to get out and vote…' or '…we need a high African American voter turnout…' among other borderline racist statements. How about, we need to get every informed voter out to vote on election day. As a matter of fact, if I need to coerce, cajole or convince you that you need to get out and vote, then you probably aren't an informed voter. Therefore you aren't anyone that really needs to be voting. You'll vote for people because they have a nice last name, because their name was first, or last. You're the voter who'll go in and commit what I call the cardinal sin. The one thing that I believe is worse than not voting at all. No, it's not voting uninformed (although that's bad, this is a tad bit worse), it is voting the straight ticket.

Let me elaborate, when you go into a voter's booth and vote the 'ticket' you're casting a vote for every republican or democrat on the ballot, regardless of whether their opponent is better for their respective office. You're casting a vote based on a twisted political party rather than on what each candidate can do for your community. You're crippling one system in order for another to prosper. Yes, Bill White may be a better choice than Rick Perry (not saying he is) for governor, but is Barbara Ann Radnofsky a better selection than Greg Abbott for attorney general? Or David Dewhurst may be a better selection than Linda Chavez-Thompson for Lt governor, but is Myra Crownover a better selection than Diane L. Chisholm for district 64? It is imperative that we evaluate each candidate and let them sit on their own merits. There's nothing wrong with voting for both democrats and republicans alike. It's what makes our country strong, and diverse. Especially in the case of judges. Their jobs can have the lives others hanging by a thread. Do you really want to elect an incompetent judge while you're playing party politics?

There are example after example of cases where someone didn't campaign, didn't do interviews, etc nothing at all and they were elected by a preponderance of the votes simply because further up the ballot, someone else was campaigning on behalf of their party asking folks to vote the straight ticket. Don't let your vote be thrown away on some of the straight ticket recipients out there. I urge you to do as I did, evaluate each candidate, and vote on their merits. If it's hard to get information about a candidate, then they're not the one you want to vote for. If they don't want to speak publicly about their candidacy or debate the issues, think twice about giving them your vote. Your right to vote is precious; don't throw it away because of someone else's ideas and ideals. Read, listen, and evaluate…then get out and vote.

It's Just My Opinion, but I'm Not Wrong

Wikileaks Must Be Plugged...NOW!!

I don’t know about you, but all of these media morons who print, report and tell information that affects the very life of others and hide behind freedom of speech and the freedom of press need to be dealt with. The latest fiasco is dealing with wikileaks releasing documents detailing military actions, movements, and operations that were deemed classified and that classification hasn’t been changed. They’re justifying their actions by saying what happened here is for the courts to decide. So why then are you posting and plastering it across your website and making it known across the globe. Then you brag that what you’ve released just scratches the surface. What idiots!

Their mind-blowing revelation that civilians have been killed by armed forces during this conflict is pure stupidity. Let me open your eyes to something, when you’re fighting a war ad your enemy hides in areas populated by civilians, disguises themselves as civilians and strategically position civilians between you and them, there will be civilian casualties. This will be the case even if the enemy didn’t do this, it’s the nature of war…someone will die. I’m sick of these whiny, weak, spineless sphincters who didn’t have the testicular fortitude to serve trying to criticize those who are fighting for them to have the right to sit back and whine.

I have an idea…how about we find out the home address, work address, cell and home numbers, email address, facebook and twitter names of everyone involved in releasing this information. From the ‘whistle blower’ to the courier who delivered it, to the editor who edited it, to the writer who wrote captions and stories, to the website host, to the programmers and coders, to Julian Assange, the owner of wikileaks, as well as his wife, their kids and their school…lets release all of their information, thrown in photos too. Then we hide behind the first amendment and freedom of the press. No one would be surprised if something happened to them or their loved ones. Not many would be too broken up about it either. No one reading this would agree with that mindset [author included], so why doesn’t any one bat an eye at media outlets like this when they do what they do? Stories like this only agitate and will ultimately cost someone’s son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, etc their life from some IED, sniper fire, ambush or whatever. I heard one reporter state this morning that the American public has the right to know these things to process and do with as they will. I say if you want this information then you need to suit up, strap up, load up, wheels up and fight the war yourself. Until you get the courage to fight a war you have no right to criticize the actions of those who are fighting that war on your behalf. Until you get this courage shut up, sit on your fat posterior and peck at the keyboard that make you feel so big and bad as you type informaiton and release documentation that detrimentally affects the lives of others.

How about our conduits of information having some integrity and weighing out the consequences of their actions rather than doing something stupid simply for ratings and then acting like they did nothing wrong when someone loses their life, get maimed or hurt simply because they had the right to say, print, quote, or post whatever they did? It goes back to an argument I made in a previous post…sometimes I think we have too many rights.

It's Just My Opinion But I'm Not Wrong

Is This Really What You Want to Fight For?

On my commute this morning I heard Roland Martin doing his commentary on the TJMS and his special guest was the national president of the Black Chamber of Commerce, that in itself is a blog topic, but not this one. He spoke to him about the newest cause that they’re undertaking as a national initiative. They’re protesting and arguing with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about their proposed banning of menthol cigarettes. Yes, you heard it right, the Black Chamber is arguing for menthol cigarettes. What better way to show that your organization has no relevance in the year 2010 than to pick up a cause that really has nothing to do with you and is dumb as hell? Congratulations Harry Alford, you’re a finalist for idiot of the year.
The black chamber has issues like addressing the racial disparity between minority and non minority vendors getting government contracts and they choose to take this up. They should be working to encourage minority vendors to retool their business models for green jobs, but they choose to argue for this. They could even be arguing for minority tobacco farmers to get their fair shake when dealing with cigarette manufacturers, etc but this is what they’re choosing instead. Let me make this perfectly clear, I’m the guy that argues against citywide bans on smoking in restaurants and bars. I’m the one that feels the government has no cause to regulate the use of a legally available product aside from imposing age restrictions. No, I’m not a smoker, I personally hate cigarette smoke, but it’s no more the place of the government (local or federal) to tell a restaurant or bar owner that they can’t allow their patrons to smoke than it is for them to say you can smoke only a certain type of cigarette. Thegovernment needs to make up its mind, is cigarette smoking goin to be legal or illegal. All of these layers of legality just add confusion to the general public and tax funds wasted on enforcement.
Let’s not get it twisted, I’m not in support of the government banning menthol, nor am I against it, my questions here is why does the black chamber care? Their president, in all his intelligence, or lack thereof, says it’s because this is the cigarette of choice of black folks. He goes on to say, once they do this, they'll be going aftre cognac and cigars. How moronic can you be? Let some tobacco special interest group fight this battle. If you're really a proponent of healthy businesses for black folks you MUST be a proponent of healthy black folks. No matter how you slice it, cigarette smoking can and will kill you (it says so on the package). Too often we have minority ‘cause based’ organizations fighting for causes that have nothing to do with them. This basically depletes their credibility so when they actually have a real cause to fight for they’re not taken seriously. This is just as dumb as the NAACP taking up the LGBT cause a few years back.
Stay in your lane folks. If you’re no longer relevant then disband and get a real job like the rest of us. I’m sick of idiots doing idiotic things in the name of black folks and portraying themselves in such a light that they represent us all. Sit down somewhere, evaluate your relevance, and decide where to go from there. Whatever you do, stop making a donkey of yourself and those who support and are represented by you by being pimped by big tobacco. When they bring this crap to you, don't say it's KOOL. You tell them you're not interested and they need to SALEM to a NEWPORT.

It’s Just My Opinion, But I’m Not Wrong!

Why Is Eric Holder an Idiot?

I'm glad you ask the question. Let me start with the whole enforcement of immigrations laws, or the lack thereof. It's common knowledge that we, as a country have the most porous borders in the world. We allow folks to come in, get benefits that are paid for by tax payers, and not pay one cent in taxes. We allow folks to come in illegally and have babies (paid for by tax payers) that we then count as citizens, give free elementary and secondary education (paid for by tax payers), then give them scholarships and government grants (paid for by tax payers) while their parents still live here illegally, don't learn the language, don't acclimate to the culture of this country, work for cash and don't pay income taxes, send most of their money back to their country of origin therefore not stimulating the economy or paying any sales taxes. They call the fire department when they have emergency issues (still haven't paid taxes), they call the police to aide them in matters where laws have been broken (still haven't paid taxes), and they drive on roads paved by tax payer dollars causing wear and tear therefore costing tax payers even more money when they wear out prematurely and need to be repaired or replaced. All of this being true, this moron and his staff at the attorney general's office decided recently to file suit against the state of Arizona for the new statue they have implemented.

Let's examine the new law as it is designed to be enforced. The Arizona measure requires police and other law enforcement officials, while enforcing other laws, to question a person's immigration status upon "reasonable suspicion" that they are in the state illegally. If they aren't then they detain them and turn them over to federal authorities it's then up to the federal government to decide whether they want to accept them, whether they want to detain them, whether they want to remove them to their country of origin or what to do with them. The basis of the suit is that the state is not allowed to enforce federal laws. How stupid is this crap? Now they're saying their options open to sue for racial profiling. This dude is either slow bus special or an idiot all together. I applaud the state of Arizona for enacting the law in order to cover for the inadequacies of the federal government. Ever wonder why California is broke and Arizona and New Mexico are having financial issues? They are trying to do what they were elected to do by the citizens of Arizona. This isn't a priority for the federal government because the lion's share of the costs is burdened by the state governments with the social programs (medicine and education). Not to mention the added stress on the state and local infrastructure. Arizona is spending state and local resources, therefore funds, to assist the federal government in enforcing the laws that it seems they have issue with enforcing. For this assist, they are met with a law suit. I say that Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas ought to send a bill to the federal government for the expenses incurred as a result of their failure to secure our borders.

On the matter of racial profiling, this is laughable. You have a state that borders Mexico and the Attorney General's office is saying they'll investigate racial profiling in enforcing this law. Its simple semantics, I'd be willing to bet 2 weeks' salary that 95% of the illegals in these border states are from Mexico and south America. Suspicion could constitute anything from not knowing English to not being able to establish your identity (state issued ID). Is Holder just trying to waste tax payer money or what? Ok, here's a solution for Arizona. Check the legal citizenship status of everyone you stop for a traffic violation, infraction of the law, or suspected infraction of the law. This way you don't have to worry about Holder and his imbecilic minions filing this idiotic suit and wasting tax payer money. It's bad enough that the federal government is overspending on so many other things, and then you add the litigation of this Arizona statute to the mix…all I can say is WOW. I hope every state that is having issues with overcrowded classrooms, unpaid medical bills and overcrowded state and county hospitals enacts legislation of this nature. Then we can take it a step further and challenge the 14^th amendment once this is all straightened out. (that's a blog for another day)

It's Just My Opinion But I'm Not Wrong

Excuse me…can you pay my taxes please?

I was listening to the news on the way to work this week and heard a story about Google, yes that Google. They have decided to assure that it keeps its name in the news with a little more silliness. Here's what they're doing. They're grossing up the salary of gay employees who have domestic partners to cover the taxes they have to pay because they aren't married. Basically, married folks get an added tax break because they're not taxed on the income they pay for benefits for their spouse and family (or something like that). So Google decided to increase the salary of their gay employees to cover this. What? This is foolish at best and blatant discrimination at worst. I understand they're trying to compete in a very volatile market and keep their best employees, but this is crazy. Why, you ask? Let me elucidate. This move puts them in a position where half of their employees can come in and ask for their salaries to be grossed up to cover taxes for one reason or another ant they will either do it or be sued for discrimination.

Seriously, this is reckless behavior. Let's say for instance, I work at Google and have a male roommate? I can now go into human resources and say, "Excuse me…can you pay my taxes please?" You laugh, but look at it from this perspective. Can you prove that he's not my partner? No? According to law you're not allowed to ask. So, I'd like my salary grossed up as well. Oh, that one doesn't work for you, how about the heterosexual couples who live together and for whatever reason they decided not to get married? They can walk into HR and say, "Excuse me…can you pay my taxes please?" Try and deny grossing up their salaries and wait for the discrimination lawsuit there. If you're giving this benefit to other unmarried couples then you'll have to give it to all unmarried couples? What? We can get married? Yes, but we're committed to one another and don't see a need for marriage. Yea, that's the same thing (on paper) as the homosexual couples have. Deny it and wait for the lawyers. As a matter of fact, if you're gonna do that then you may as well get ready for the couples with no kids? They don't get tax breaks because they don't have kids. They can walk into HR and say, "Excuse me…can you pay my taxes please?" Why not gross up their salary too? They didn't choose not to have kids, maybe he's sterile, or she's got medical issues. I want the tax break too!!! Try denying them and see how long it is before you go to court, or arbitration. While you're at it go ahead and gross up the single guy with no kids? Why doesn't he go in and say, "Excuse me…can you pay my taxes please?" He's not getting tax breaks for being married; gay; having kids; or cohabitating. So let's just gross his salary up to compensate for the marriage he has yet to experience, the kids he doesn't have and the gay/straight lover that hasn't moved in yet?

When does this foolishness end? The laws are on the books, deal with them and move on. If you don't like the laws that are in place, then elect legislators who will change them to what you do like, it's the backbone of democracy. I'm sick of seeing story after story where folks don't like the rules so they do what they want to do and cry foul when the bet pinched. Rules are made for you and you and you too. If you don't like them, then work to change them, stop trying to get around them. Google, and every other employer who skirts tax law like this ought to be fined heavily. Subverting federal tax laws for recruiting purposes is thumbing their noses at the establishment and should not be tolerated. If this is allowed to stand, it's only a matter of time before I walk into my HR office and say, "Excuse me…can you pay my taxes please?"

It's Just My Opinion, but I'm Not Wrong!!!

Run Away General

Yesterday’s press conference was one that was necessary and one that no manager, supervisor, owner or president should ever relish. The removal of a subordinate for foolishness isn’t something that makes them, or you, look good. What President Obama had to do yesterday had to be done. There’s no way Stanley McChrystal could have remained in his position after saying what he said in that Rolling Stone interview. Being a former soldier [always a soldier] and one that understands that there are times you may not agree with or even like your manager, supervisor, lead, or whomever it is that you’re subordinate to; I acutely understand that there’s a line between mouthing off in the break room, or at a happy hour and doing an interview with an international magazine. I tried to write this last night, but was having PC problems so I watched listened to Beck, Hannity and O’Reilly instead. They convinced me that I needed this to be my subject today.

I know, for the past couple of postings it’s been about immigration and illegals. This was going on that same line, especially considering the litigation against Arizona by Mexico; but I digress. Look, Beck, Hannity O’Reilly and the rest of those right wing nut jobs need to sit down and shut up. There isn’t a job in the world that you can keep after you disparage your boss (Commander-in-Chief) publicly. This moronic imbecile, not only did it publicly, but in an interview. How stupid can you get? Beck asked, “What happened to his freedom of speech?” Let me elucidate…we all have freedom of speech. We can basically whatever we choose to say. Just be prepared for the consequences and repercussions from what you’ve said. He got what his hand called for…fired! Another report asked, “Why is this getting such a large amount of press? Isn’t there something more important to talk about?” Let me see…you have the highest ranking serviceman assigned to the war effort in the Middle East basically calling the president and his administration dummies. You have thousands of soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors who are under him. You have morale that needs to be high, orders that need to be followed, and a war that needs to be won. This is not the look you want at this time…or ever! One of the things I learned when I had soldiers under my command was to deliver ever order like it came from me; like I agreed with it totally; as though I was willing to lay down my life for that decision. Frankly, in times like these, every decision they make, every order they follow, may cost them or someone else their lives. There’s no worse position to put a serviceman in than to have them not believing in what they’re fighting for, or the plan they are following to fight. This nincompoop needed to be relieved of his duties. He should just be glad he’ll still remain in the army.

Before anyone goes off on a tangent, I don’t think what he did warrants kicking him out of the service, but removal from this post was necessary to our efforts in this conflict. I believe he should have been kicked out and jailed after the Pat Tillman debacle. Remember I am the one that supported revoking citizenship and reentry into the U.S. for the Dixie Chicks and Harry Belafonte after their foolishness a few years back. Free speech comes with consequences, so…a word to the wise, if you have something negative to say about your boss, company, supervisor or someone else…keep it to yourself. If you choose otherwise, then look to be in the same situation as Stanley…running away.

Orville P. Cottlethorpe IV

It’s Just My Opinion, but I’m Not Wrong!

I’ll Bet He Won’t Do That Again

This past week there was an unfortunate event that occurred in El Paso. A young man, of about 15, lost his life after an exchange with US Border Patrol agents. These agents were in the process of arresting several men who'd illegally crossed the border into the US, when they were pelted with rocks and debris from a group on the other side of the border. These were obviously folks who were supposed to cross over as well, but were angry because their plan was thwarted by the presence of the Border Patrol Agents (glad they were in the right place at the right time). At some point one of the agents fired into the group and hit the teen in the head, killing him. He died within Mexico. Now the Mexican government and the kid's family are blasting the US Border Patrol saying they are responsible for the death of this kid. How about, this idiot kid is responsible for his own death? They even had a statement online from the mayor of Juarez (are you serious!) that said, "We cannot tolerate these kind of incidents, where people fight with rocks against forearms, mainly where there are well trained agents involved in these cases, like Border Patrol agents," First off, you are the mayor of a city that specializes in sneaking people into the US…your words mean squat to me. Secondly, the idiot is the one throwing rocks at the person with the gun. Regardless of their training, if you catch somebody right with a brick, rock, or whatever, human nature and reflex take over and the natural thing happens. This kid found out the hard way that bullets hit harder than rocks. Everywhere you read about this they are talking about the rising tensions in the area as a result of this kid's death. They need to be mad at him…

Don't get me wrong, I'm sorry this kid lost his life, but at the same time, where is the personal responsibility? He chose to be where he was…on the border where a great deal of violence occurs. He chose to engage the border patrol agents…they were just doing their jobs. He chose to throw rocks at them…I'd venture to say that they were pretty large for this agent to fire into the group. He chose to put himself in harm's way and paid for all these poor decisions with his life. The one redeeming factor out of this is…I'll bet he won't do it again.

It's Just My Opinion, but I'm Not Wrong!

Racism? Classism? Immorality? Elitism? Which is it?

For the past couple of weeks everyone has been up in arms about the new law that was recently signed by the governor of Arizona. There have been those who protested saying this law reeks of racism; others who said these people came to this country to seek a better life for themselves and their families; while someone even argued that an immoral law ought not be enforced. Ok, let's evaluate this situation. Arizona has one of the highest levels of illegal immigration in the country. Some reports indicate that the border between Arizona and Mexico are as porous as cheesecloth. Illegals come over, go back, bring over contraband, take it back…the cycle continues. The governor of the state of Arizona is sworn to protect the citizens of that state and this country. The key word here is CITIZEN! If folks could review the facts of this situation rationally devoid of emotion they would be able to see it just as the state house of Arizona and their governor did. Something needed to be done. If the federal government isn't going to enforce the laws that are already on the books, then the state government had to. WHY??? Because of the ineptitude of the federal immigration and customs enforcement department the state government had to act in the best interest of their citizens.

Last year alone Texas spent over $1 billion just in free medical care for illegals…this doesn't take into account the kids in school, wear and tear of roadways, police and fire services, higher insurance premiums, or what was spent in other states for these people who came into this country illegally. There are those who are sympathetic to their plight who speak of how poor their country is and how they have no opportunities there. While I can't disagree with that, does this situation absolve them from consequences for breaking the law? Here's a scenario, you come home from work and there's a family living in your attic. They broke in while you were at work and now they've set up residence there. They come down every once in a while and eat some of your food; they use your utilities; and they don't pay any bills. Every once in a while they might give you $20 or bring you something from the liquor store. They're just trying to find a better life…their neighborhood was dangerous, poor and they had no opportunity there. Looking at this situation, wouldn't you be angry if you called the police and they did nothing? Arizona faced this same situation, as do many other states. They had a population of folks who moved in, sent their kids to school, called police and fire when their services were needed, work jobs for cash and pay no taxes, with the exception of the little they pay when they buy something. ARIZONA HAD TO ACT!!! I personally hope other states follow suit and enact similar legislation.

What about those police officers who will unfairly target Hispanics who are here legally? What about those who will be detained until they can prove their citizenship and they are citizens? What about those who will be looked upon as illegals who aren't? I can't be angry at the system for trying to right a wrong. Who I can be upset with are those who necessitate such legislation and its enforcement. It's no different from me walking in the mall and having store security following me around. I'm not mad at the, but the idiots who came in before me and gave them the notion that all black men steal.

Lastly, please stop making references to this as though it is reminiscent of the Jim Crow days of the old south. There are several distinctions that separate this time from that one. First and foremost, black folks were brought here in bondage, illegals came here on purpose. Secondly, black folks were persecuted because of the color of their skin, illegals are sought out because they are illegal! Third, we didn't like or treatment and had no recourse, they can go back home if they don't like the way they're being treated. I was beyond angry when I watched the news and saw a man sitting there almost in tears because his wife was about to be deported. He was a Mexican American (legally) and his wife was here illegally from Nicaragua. He knew when he married her that she was here illegally, he knew when they started a family that she was here illegally, he knew when he served in the US Marine Corps and got his citizenship straight that his wife was still illegal. Yet he sat there asking, "Why is my country doing this to me?" Hey meathead, your illegal wife did it to you and you helped her. Stop crying and start dealing with the decisions you made. I got a quick fix, why don't you go with her when she's deported, then your family can stay together…problem solved!

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

Quit Whining and Face the Firing Squad

I read this article and it bothered me a bit, then it made me downright mad. I'm not one of those who believes that President Obama is chosen by God to be president, nor am I one who believes that everything he does is right, and I'm not even one that believes that he can fix everything that's wrong with this country (in this term or another). I am, however one who believes that when you have a hierarchy, you follow it; whether you agree with it or not. The article I previously referenced can be found on the politics daily website. It tells of a Lt Colonel in the Army who is refusing his deployment to Afghanistan because he doesn't believe that President Obama is an American citizen and therefore not qualified to be the POTUS ergo NOT his commander in chief and he refuses to follow his orders. How stupid is this guy? For those who might not understand military ranking structure, this guy is only a couple of notches below a general, so it's not like he's someone who's been in a week. Actually for him it's been 18 years. Lt Colonel Terry Lakin is a bonafied idiot!!! (in three languages) I know there are those who say, he's standing up for what he believes and those who says good for him. Having served my time in the US Army (and I'd serve again if I had to) I believe this idiot should be prosecuted to fullest extent of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, I believe inmate #37698543 sounds a lot better than Colonel.

Let me elucidate. When you join any branch of the military your opinion ceases to matter (when you are in uniform) your feelings cease to exist (when you are in uniform) your desires aren't important (when in uniform). You role, goal and purpose is to follow the orders given and carry them out to the best of your ability. If you don't want to do that then don't join!!! If you want to sit around the house, at happy hour or on your personal time and talk bad about the president, every member of congress, and the secretary of defense that's your right, but when you're at work, you work. This moronic imbecile is a doctor no less and commands other doctors and nurses. He ought to be made an example of and treated much like you would someone who abandoned their post on the battlefield. There are soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen over there who could really use his expertise, but he refuses to lend it to them because of an ignorant, petty, personal vendetta that is truly an exhibition of his idiocy. I have the utmost respect for all of our servicemen and women who are putting their lives on the line for my freedom and believe that those who stand in their way, hinder or harm them in any way should receive swift, harsh punishment (preferably VERY painful). If he was really serious about the President not being qualified to be his commander in chief he would resign his commission and leave the Army. No, he won't do that because he's not a real 'birther' he's using a convenient arguement to show his true color...yellow!!! He's a coward who's afraid to go to Afghanistan because he's afraid of what he might ancounter there. Newsflash Larkin...every day you went to work over the past year you've been following the orders of the commander in chief. IDIOT!!!

That being said, a message to all "birthers", you are in idiot and you need a life. Let me help you get over this issue. There are laws and requirements for any man or woman who runs for president of these here United States of America. There are committees and panels assembled to assure that these folks meet these requirements. Many folks on these panels and committees have done it before for another presidential, senatorial, or other candidate. They've reviewed his credentials, approved his credentials, and the people of this country elected him. Sit down, shut up and wait until 2012. Then you can try to vote for someone else. I'm sick of hearing your sissy whining. As always…

It's Just My Opinion, but I'm Not Wrong!

My Prom Date…NOT!

I just read an article about a high school in Mississippi that cancelled their prom rather than allow an openly gay couple attend and have one of them wear a tux and play the role of a man. This 18 year old young lady had a girlfriend who was a sophomore at the same high school where she attended and they have an openly gay relationship inclusive kissing, making out, etc and have no reason to hide their affection for one another. After reading the article and watching the story on one of the news channels I found it very strange that no one was addressing several glaring issues that I saw as I learned of it.

As one of my coworkers and I discussed this situation when she brought it to my attention, we both said the same thing. "There's more to this than meets the eye." The news story said that she'd asked the school if she could bring her girlfriend to the prom as her date. What school has students clearing their dates through the administration prior to bringing them to the prom? The mere fact that she asked says that both she feels that what she wanted to do was wrong and she needed to get permission to do so. Or she had a desire to cause a stir and controversy by presenting this issue for consideration. As soon as I found that the ACLU was involved I made the statement that they'd probably put her up to this just to grab some headlines.

Then I read people making statements like, "…what's next; outlawing interracial dating at the prom?" I'm so sick of folks comparing ethnicity to sexual PREFERENCE. I don't care if you're gay, straight, bisexual or trisexual; do what you do. But stop trying to drag me into your battles because of my skin color. Let's clarify something here. If you're homosexual (LGBT or whatever you want to be called this week) and you walk into a room no one knows, or needs to know, your sexual preference. They won't know unless you CHOOSE to make it known. When I walk into a room, everyone with the sense of sight knows I'm a black man whether I say it or not, whether I want them to know or not. My point is this, heterosexuals don't run around throwing up in other folks faces that they're heterosexual, I'd venture to say that a lot of homosexuals don't either. However, should you choose to, deal with what comes with the revelation you share.

I wouldn't have cancelled the prom if I were an administrator at this school or in this district. Nor would I have entertained the notion of changing the rules that were in place at the school. The young lady had a choice, she made it and she would have had to deal with it. Everyone reading this had at least a couple of groups of girls who went to prom together as a group. They didn't ask anyone for permission to do what they did, this girl was trying to cause a commotion and she should have been left to deal with the quandary she put herself and her girlfriend in. The prom would have and should have gone on without her and her date. I won't even get into the fact that she was 18 and her girlfriend was either 15 or 16. Hmmm…in most states that's illegal. Guess there are some things that are allowed in Mississippi that this girl doesn't have issue with and she's happy to take advantage of.

It's Just My Opinion, But I'm Not Wrong.

Blame It on the Rain…Blame It on Someone

I recently heard about a school district that thought they'd open the eyes of teachers in a particular school by firing all of the teachers at one particular school because of low performance scores by students of this school . They fired approximately 80 instructional personnel because they didn't take the suggestions of the administration. To be more specific, they didn't comply with some of the district's demands in order to try something different for the students. Here's what they suggested:

• Add an hour to each school day and make this extra hour instructional
  


• Add an hour weekly for tutoring outside of the regular hours worked
  


• Have teachers to eat lunch with the students daily to engage them more
  

I believe there were a few other suggestions they made, but these were the glaring ones that hit me over the head like a brick. THESE ARE GREAT IDEAS!!!!! Then comes the ignorant part…they want them to do these things with no extra pay involved.

A district spokesperson advised that these teachers needed to be more involved in the lives of their students so that they can find out what's going on with them and aide them in raising their test scores/grades. I know someone reading this will say, what's the problem? Why can't they just do it? What's wrong with having lunch with your students?

Being the husband of a teacher, I take exception to these suggestions, especially since they were asking these things of the teachers without any offer of remuneration. Teachers are already grossly underpaid for all that they do; and these idiots want more FOR FREE!!! Not only are they underpaid, but then every teacher I know spends money out of their own pocket for instructional needs and needs for kids that aren't provided from home. This is so prevalent that the IRS gives each teacher a line item deduction of about $2,500 without needing to substantiate these costs. [If you want to claim more than that you need receipts] Each year I ask HR Block if the laws have changed and I can finally claim the ISD on my taxes as a dependent. Not to mention the raggedy healthcare benefits they provide.

For a teacher to just cover themselves (health, vision and dental) the cost is approximately $1,000 a month in some school districts. A teacher is almost forced to marry someone in corporate just to have decent insurance at a reasonable cost. Someone help me understand why each ISD is negotiating insurance plans for their employees. Every town, city, village, hamlet will have schools and teachers. So, why aren't they put on the plan that the state employees are on? That would give them a larger pool of folks to bargain with and therefore get a lower price for more coverage. Oh yea, I forgot, the district wouldn't get the kickbacks they get from the carriers. Interesting how that happens.

I say it's time that parents get back involved with their kid's lives, education and moral well being. The education of a generation is not just the responsibility of the teachers in the classroom. It is the responsibility of the whole community, whether directly or indirectly. Parents have to talk to teachers; they have to prepare their kids for life today so they can be a success tomorrow. Blaming teachers for the failure of the parents and the kids, or even worse, the system isn't the answer. How about this, get those moronic windbags out of the administration office and put them back in the classroom and see if they can get the scores up. I doubt it…more often than not these people fit into one of two categories. Either they haven't been in the classroom for more than 10 years or they have never been I the classroom. Either way the kids will suffer. I'm normally never o the side f the union, but in this case, I agree with them for standing up for these teachers and encouraging them to ignore the suggestions that were made by people who won't do what they themselves suggested. Kids are a gift and should be nurtured, taught and molded to be productive men and women [one day]. While there are those that will be rotten regardless of what you teach, there are those that simply need a word of encouragement to make it through. Teacher everywhere had to stand up and cheer for these teachers saying NO, we won't be taken advantage of. I say they fire the superintendent and some of the school board members and see where that gets them. We need to revamp our whole mindset on education. Stop blaming teachers for underperforming kids who grow up in environments that are not conducive to learning and in households where education isn't fostered, encouraged or even a priority; having parents that could care less about their child being mediocre, much less excelling educationally. Stop blaming others for the poor decisions of kids and start holding them responsible for the direction in which they are headed. Why you ask? They can't learn if they're not given the opportunity to learn, or they aren't pushed to be better.

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

We got to do better...than this mess!!!

My topic and many of the things I’ll say in this post will not be popular with some. They will even make some folks outright mad. A few days ago, my brother presented a post that contained some excerpts from a speech that he delivered at the joint founders day for the two most prolific organizations in ALL of Greekdom. In his speech he challenged us as brothers to do better. He challenged us to make better choices and plan for our future. He said a lot of stuff and made a lot of challenges that we need to take heed to. I, on the other hand, will be addressing one young man and those like him that are contributing to the problem we have in our community [not just the black community].

You see the picture so you know who it is. The other day heard a story on CNN that advised that Lil Wayne’s sentencing was being delayed due to him having to go to the dentist to get the jewelry he has imbedded in his mouth removed prior to going to jail. What? He needs to go to the dentis? What kind of crap is this? This little dud’s persona and the image he projects is an irritant to me and has been since the first time I saw him. This was just another nail in the board. This moron believes that his body, including his face, is a palette for jailhouse quality tattoos (even though he can afford nicer ones); he doesn’t believe in wearing clothes that are his size, or a belt to keep his pants on his waist where they belong (no, I’m not Gen Platt); he lives a life that is so boisterously ridiculous that it’s pathetic. Yes, I’m harping on him, not because he’s the only one that aggravates me, but because he’s the one that’s in the news this week. This idiot knew he was going to jail when he went to court furthermore, he knew that he needed to take that crap out of his mouth before he showed up. Hell, he knew that before he put it in his mouth in the first place. I’m glad I wasn’t the judge…he’d be in jail, in general population and wearing the same jacket he’s wearing in the picture above. I could care less if somebody beat him out of his teeth, maybe after that he’d make better life decisions and think twice about what he does, who he hangs with and how he’s perceived by society.

What bothers me is how many successful, intelligent folks love this dude. He crosses socioeconomic and racial lines. This is really what bothers me! He’s shown himself to be a rather intelligent brother. I was impressed, last football season when he did a guest host spot on on ESPN football program one Sunday morning and wasn’t reading from a script, but was speaking from the knowledge he gathered from the information they sent him to prep for the show. One of the other hosts of the show was impressed by, not only his knowledge, but by the amount of highlighting in the 100’s of pages they sent him (he left it in his dressing room). You see, this is another case of an intelligent brother who’s using what he has for a reason other than what God intended him to. If he can figure out how to get grown men to emulate him as well as kids. If he can have grown women in their late 40’s to swoon over him and shiver at the mention of his name. If he can make hits that have him being sought for collaborations by almost everyone in the game (crossing lines of musical genre). If he can do all of these thing, I KNOW he can figure out how to make a positive impact on the youth that he impacts. I KNOW he can do better than getting two women, neither of which he’s married to, pregnant simultaneously. I KNOW he can figure out how to be the positive influence on society that we need.

It’s the likes of him and those he influences that causes all black men to be put in a category that we don’t belong in as soon as we walk in the door. We’re either a thug, a rapper or a miscreant. No matter whether we’re dressed like him, somebody’s jailhouse girlfriend, or in a bidness suit, we’re looked at the same. It’s high time that black men stopped perpetuating these stereotypes and started forging new ones! It’s high time we stop selling ourselves short and our future down the river so that we can have millions in the bank and have idiotic capitalistic morons justifying it for us. I know someone will post a response stating that it’s not his responsibility to raise other people’s kids. Somebody else won’t post, but will think that he’s not a role model. Then there’s the one who’ll say that I’m just old and I don’t understand young folk and their music. On the first two counts I can answer with one question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?…Yes, I am” made famous between Nino Brown and the Cash Money Brothers in New Jack City, but a true dialogue nonetheless. We are all responsible for one another’s kids, for the influence we have on them (whether we accept it not) and we ought to all endeavor to make as positive impact on the next generation that we can. I’m not saying that we all need to be parts of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, not everyone is cut out for that. We all do have a part to play. Those who go to BBBS need someone to point out in society to tll the kids they can grow up to be like. Those who teach in the classroom ought to have some sort of success story to share with the kids about someone they can strive to emulate. As for those who will simply state that I’m old and I don’t understand the music of this younger generation, I simply state, if making responsible decisions and wanting to make a positive impact on the community in which I live, and the world as a whole make me old, I’ll wear that label with pride. They just need to realize the label they’re placing on themselves when they relegate everything I’ve put forth to such a simplistic explanation.

It’s Just My Opinion, but I’m Not Wrong!

“African American is a bogus, p.c., made-up term. I mean, that’s not a race.”

This was a quote from Glenn Beck…you know who he is so I won’t insult you with a litany of reasons why I shouldn’t agree with him. The only thing about this statement I disagree with it that it’s PC…it ain’t PC if I don’t want to be called that. However in this instance, I believe I do. When discussing the topic of race identification in the shadows of the impending 2010 U.S. Census. I made a similar statement to a colleague. Much to the chagrin of some black activists (yes I said black) the paperwork will include “Black,” “African-American” and “Negro” as three of the available choices on its forms for us to choose from. I don’t know which is more sad or disheartening, the fact that there are three different categories for black folk or the fact that the reason for this is because some black folk would get mad if there weren’t. If you’re actually from African and you became a US citizen, then you’re African American. If you can’t name a person in your family who was born in Africa (even 4 generations back) than stop claiming a continent that weren’t born on, have never visited and that you know nothing of. It’s divisive and ignorant of us to keep delitigimizing our American birthright. I’m American, I was born American, I only know America, and I shan’t insult my American heritage by claiming something other than my American heritage. [Even if I know that my parent’s lineage hails from Haiti and Portugal]

If you know me, you know that I’m one that thinks it is dumb as all outdoors for us to be changing what we call ourselves every 4 years, yet we do it. I believe it is even more stupid to get mad at non-black folk who call us what we used to be called before we decided we wanted our quadrennial name change. It’s almost like trying to learn street slang, once you think you have the hang of it, everything changes. As a people, we’ve created a quandary of our own making. I think it’s high time we stop blaming everything on white folk and having them walk on egg shells because they don’t want to offend (even unwittingly). I’m one of the least politically correct people I know. Most who know me get the gist of my conversation without taking offense because they know none was intended. I shan’t ponder every word to make sure that I don’t say something that offends someone for some obscure reason.

I recently read an article that asked the question as to whether or not the census should be using this term. The author of the article went on to berate the census for using the term and called it antiquated. I also read the transcript from an NPR interview with a college professor who inferred that the ‘learned’ black folk preferred the African American term and the ‘negro’ term is mostly used by older black folk who don’t know any better. While I concur that what you choose to be called depends on who you are, where you were reared, and in large part, how insecure you really are, I resent this guy basically relating the inference that because I refuse to be called something that I’m not (African American) I’m not as intelligent as those who insist on it. I understand that the term ‘negro’ has fallen by the wayside as of late; I know that ‘colored’ is taboo; and I shan’t EVER be referred to as ‘nigger/niggah/nikka/nigga or any other derivation of this word without protest. However, for us to be truly unified and stop looking foolish as hell we need to decide who we are what we want to be called and stick with it! In the meantime quit whining, griping and crying about the census listing names that we call ourselves, define ourselves as and use, or may have used far and wide. It’s their job to count folks, NOT define them. That being said, I’d be interested to see the results of this census and what they finally use as a category to catch all these divides, confused, disillusioned black folk. Wake up, stop being so sensitive and find something really worth fighting about to get behind. While you’re at it, realize who you are AND where you’re from. Until then, we can’t really say we’re teaching our kids to have pride in their heritage, cause they don’t know what it is.

It’s Just My Opinion, But I’m Not Wrong!

State of the Union…WOW!

I was elated when I got out of class early this evening so that I could have the opportunity to make it home to watch the State of the Union address. Unlike many folks who just started watching it this year, I make every effort to witness this speech every January…regardless of who's in the White House. I originally intended on addressing specific issues that I found with the address itself, but I perused Facebook prior to starting on this offering. After reading many of the posts on people's status update I must say that I'm not only appalled, but disappointed. We have folks making statements like, '…they don't want to respect OUR president…they already had their turn when THEIR president was in office…they just racist cause they don't want to stand up and clap for Obama.' While these status updates and the sentiments that fueled them may not be a big deal to some, I find them majorly offensive and, might I say, trifling. Here we are in 2010 and we're placing ourselves (black folk) in a self imposed segregationist situation. Let me educate you morons who insist on making these types of statements. If you were born in America George Bush (both of them) was YOUR president and when you see them they still carry the title Mr. President. President Obama is every American's president. What really pains me about this crap is two things (1) if someone white had made the statement that he is y'all president and our president was the last one then the National Action Network, NACP, SCLC, ACLU, and a bunch of other initials would be picketing, boycotting, and protesting. (2) Every time you refer to President Obama as Obama, you're disrespecting the man, the office and the title he earned by virtue of winning the election. Call the man President Obama…it's only proper and fitting. George Washington and his advisors toiled with a fitting title for the president of the United States. They toyed with Your Excellence, Your Majesty, and others, but settled on Mr. President. This is a title that is earned for life by simply serving one term. Give him the respect due his office.

On another note, I would be willing to bet a dollar to a dime that all of these short sighted, rabble rousing hooligans who are running around screaming racism and posting this idiocy in their status updates didn't watch any of the State of the Union addresses that Clinton, Bush or Reagan gave. Let me educate you on something. The republicans never stand for a democrat and the democrats never stand and applaud a republican. Besides, what awe inspiring statements are really made in the State of the Union address (including this one)? It's generally a bunch of rhetoric and either promises of what I want to do, reason I didn't do what I said I'd do or like tonight a tongue lashing of the house of congress and senate for not doing more. If you don't know anything about politics, government or and manner in which things are done, please learn something before you open your mouth and exhibit your ignorance. There was even one person making light of the fact that the Supreme Court justices simply sat there and didn't applaud anything. Again, I say…educate yourself. I've not seen the Supreme Court justices react to, applaud or even appear to be listening to any State of the Union address since I started watching them when I was in middle school. While the political machine that we call our government is one that has many cogs and wheels, it has but two major organs, and they are opposed to one another even to the detriment of the greater good. Sometimes being contrary for the sake of being contrary [I believe]. This transpires on both sides of the aisle.

Rather than me taking the time to assess the things that President Obama put forth. Rather than me dissecting the republican response, I'll issue a challenge. I challenge every American who reads these words to get involved, get educated, and don't miss an opportunity to cast an educated vote. Whether for dog catcher or president of the US your voice needs to be heard. Please stop crying racism when it is apparent to Ray Charles and Ronnie Millsap that it isn't. What will happen is when it really is, no one will pay any attention. Just like the boy who cried wolf. So I say this. Do what you need to do to make sure this country remains the best in the world [I believe this to be true] and that we continue to meet and surpass our goals as individuals, members of various organizations, and this country as a whole. Presently the state of our union, from a social perspective, is on life support. We are no further along than we were in 1967. Not because we haven't been educated, but because we're refusing to let go of things that took place in the past and we work to keep the division between the races going. Let it go people…let it go.

It's Just my Opinion, but I'm Not Wrong!!!

Rules? Who Needs Rules?

While watching the news last night I came across a story that caught my interest. I’m not sure if you’re heard it or not, but Taylor Pugh has been embroiled in a very public dispute with the Mesquite ISD for the past three months. His rights have been violated, he’s being stripped of his individuality and his self esteem is being crushed. At least that’s the story that the idiots who are raising him will tell. Taylor is four years old and doesn’t want to cut his hair. Admittedly, I believe that kids ought to be encouraged not to follow the crowd. They ought to be taught not to bow to peer pressure and to forger their own paths. But come on!!! When are people taking things too far? The Mesquite ISD has a dress code in place that’s prevalent in most school districts in America. Boy’s hair must be out of their eyes, no longer than below the earlobes or the collar in the back. It’s not only appropriate, but commonplace for school districts to say that hairstyles, “designed to attract attention to the individual or to disrupt the orderly conduct” aren’t allowed. Not to mention a hairdo likely to get you kissed by another boy…that would start a whole other battle.

These parents a testament to my belief that people ought to have to go through a training class and get licensed to have kids. Initially I thought this was some over-permissive, wimpy parents who just wanted to let him do what he wanted to do.; then they panned the camera over and showed the dad, mom and some other moron they brought to the school with them. They looked like a punk rock band threw up. Pierced eyes, lips, noses, and those huge quarter sized holes in their ears. Then it became apparent to me what it was. Not over-permissive parents, but parents who are crazy as hell and think the world ought to bend to their taste and desires rather than deal with the society in which we live.

These morons argued that their son is an individual and he wanted to keep his hair long. I bet he wants to eat Cocoa Puffs for dinner every night and never take a shower or change clothes. HE’S 4 YEARS OLD!!! It’s time out for these parents who want to be friends with their kids. Your kids should not be your friends!!! If you raise a child throughout their life and not once have they uttered the words, “I Hate you”, “I’ll be glad when I can move out of here”, “Why was I even born into this family?” or something of this sort then you haven’t done your job as a parent. You can’t effectively parent and never have your child disagree with you. By the way, for those of you that are worried because you’ve never heard your child say any of these…it’s okay; that may just mean that you’ve instilled enough fear in them that they have better sense than to let you hear it [don’t claim it if it’s not for you].

In all seriousness, they are interrupting more than just this kid’s education. I have issue with the district providing private one on one tutoring for this kid since November. They should have sent him home and told his parents to keep him there until they could comply with the district’s policy. By giving him this treatment they are taking resources away from the kids whose parents assured that they were in compliance with the rules. Aside from that they’re teaching him that he can pick and choose which rules he wants to follow in life. School is there for more than the education that is taught from the books. There are the social skills, playing well with others, boundaries, respect for authority oh yea, and following rules.

Newsflash Mr. Pugh and Ms. Taylor…if you don’t want your kid following the rules in the public schools you can send him to private school or home school him, your choice. No matter where you go in society, or what you do there are rules that need to be followed. These idiots need to learn the difference between being stupid and supporting your kid. While they finally braided his hair to comply with the school district’s rules [after saying his scalp would bleed if they did], he looks even more like a girl with the French braids than he did with the hair long. Who wants to sign this petition to require a license before becoming a parent?

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

Apologize? For real? For What?

For a very long time there have been double standards in this society and I’ve said before, like I’ll say now, it’s preposterous to hold someone else to a standard that we won’t meet. In the most recent example of gross ignorance and foolishness, Harry Reid was subjected to the ire of those who cried foul over a comment he made. Certainly some have ‘given him a pass’ due to his voting history and political legacy. However, why is a pass necessary? Ok, for those who aren’t familiar with what I’m saying, in a conversation he was having Reid was asked about the likelihood of [then senator] Obama becoming president of the US. His response, in part, was, ‘…a good chance of winning acceptance among white voters because he was a "light skinned" African-American who had "no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one." Many f9lks have issue with him making this statement for a veritable cornucopia of reasons. Let’s look at some of them.

First, some folks say this is a racist statement because Reid says that Obama is light skinnded (you know that’s how some of y’all say it). Then there are those who have issue with him saying that he’s trying to win acceptance among white voters. Others have issue with him saying that he had no ‘negro dialect’ [unless he wanted to have one]. Still others are miffed because he used the word negro. The list goes on, one idiotic reason to be angry after another. Not to mention the fuel being poured on the fires by the republican party relegating this statement to the statements made by Trent Lott back in the day.

To judge a person’s racial feelings/stance based on one statement is even more moronic than actually being a racist. For white folk, they have to walk on eggshells around black folks. They don’t want to call us the wrong thing…some black folk like to be called African American…others Negro…others Black…other Afro-American…still others call each other Nigger/Niggah/Nigga/Nicca and think it’s ok. Hell, they make one wrong statement and they’re labeled a racist. Just dumb as hell! We need to stop having such thin skin and look at the whole situation before making rash, emotional decisions and judgments. Why is it okay for a hip hop performer to use the word nigger (or any derivative thereof) in a song, but black folks look at a white person sideways if they’re singing a song and they don’t skip that word. Man, DAMN YOU!!! If they like the song and they want to sing along then they have just as much right to do so as you do. The issue ain’t with them winging along with a song, it’s with the word being in the song in the first place. I’m one of those black folks who will correct you in a heartbeat (regardless of race) if I’m called nigger (or any derivative thereof) or African/Afro American. The reasons behind my feelings about the label nigger go without saying. On the other hand, I’m an American who happens to be black (or negro). I believe I’m perpetrating when I call myself African American like someone who purports to be a Sigma and hasn’t crossed the burning sands. Why, you ask? I believe if you can’t name a person in your family that actually lived in Africa (or even visited the continent) you have no business claiming the country. Especially if you count back three generations and all were born in the US. Omini, Martin, and Barack Obama are all African Americans because they were born in America, but their fathers were born in Africa [mothers as well-except Obama]. Besides, when I traced my family history, my lineage is Portuguese on one side and Haitian on the other [hence the last name with French implications]. Too many folks have bled, sweat and cried for me to have the right to call myself an American. I disrespect their struggle when I insist on diluting that with anything else.

All of that being said, how many readers of this offering had the same conversation about Pres. Obama’s candidacy, complexion and diction? I know I did. We all know that if he had run with the complexion of Djimon Hounsou and the diction of 50 Cent he wouldn’t have made it to the senate, much less the White House. So what was the real issue with the statement he made? Rather than looking at the statement and trying to figure out if it was racist or not, why not look at it, assess its validity and evaluate it properly. It’s a more damning commentary on the reality of black folks in America than a statement that’s derogatory of black folks. Now, on one hand, I won’t hire anyone to work for me who can’t have a conversation without saying ‘umm’, ‘ya feel me’, and ‘know what I’m sayin’ like they just made a rap video. Therefore I definitely wouldn’t want to have them as president and representing me throughout the world. On the other hand, I believe it’s true that he wouldn’t have been as successful [or not at all] if his mother wasn’t white, therefore making his complexion lighter than had his mother been the same hue as his father. Therefore this gives the inference that the lighter the complexion the better the person. This divisive notion has been implanted in the minds of black America for years (circa Willie Lynch). We have to learn to see past it and for the most part many of us have. However, it does still exist.

We must stop allowing our buttons to be pushed for foolishness. I’m neither republican nor democrat, but I know a sham when I see one. This statement, made in a private conversation (I didn’t even address that part of it) needed no apology, public or private, and is an opinion shared by most. Go back and listen to Pres. Obama’s speech on race, he said the same thing himself. It was blown out of proportion by media outlets looking for a story and the republican party seeking to get Reid out of office and a republican in there. Sen. Reid should have responded to this report like he did in the photo. Followed by the question, “Who gon’ check me boo?’

It’s Just My Opinion, but I’m Not Wrong!!

To fly or not to fly…that is the question

Every since 9-11 people have been beefing about all of the new security measures that are in place at airports throughout the country (the world for that matter). We have to remove shoes, take off coats, hats, and everything else. Last time I traveled I asked the TSA agent for dinner after they were done. While some of these measures are bothersome, they are nonetheless necessary. Over the Christmas holiday season we had another attempt at blowing up an airplane and inflicting American casualties. Fortunately his efforts were thwarted by a combination of his incompetence and the proactive actions of other passengers. Personally I think that fool should have done some research before trying to do anything in the way of terrorism around Detroit. Somebody should have told him…LOL.

A couple of years ago they started using the full body scans in some airports. Some folks in the US got all bothered by it claiming privacy issues, etc. Now, this argument is resurfacing. It’s funny how folks want to have it both ways. They want to be safe and enjoy all the freedom they think they deserve. I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve said in the past, and will say in the future, we have too many freedoms in this country. Stop making that face. You know it’s true! If you don’t you will by the time I’m done. Look…we have to make some concessions to assure that everybody who gets on a plane is able to get off on the other end; plain and simple. All of the safeguards they had in place didn’t find this fool’s panty bomb. However, had he been scanned it would have been detected. I’ve actually seen the picture from one of these machines. There’s nothing obscene or perverted about what you see. They can’t actually ‘see’ any body parts. Think burlesque dancing and you’ll get the picture

I’m sick of some of these liberal, whiny, wanna have it both ways idiots who complain about the security measures put in place, but would be the first one to try and sue if their family member was killed on a plane citing the airline for not protecting their passengers-hence the name of this offering. Either you deal with the safeguards put in place or drive where you want to go. Oh yeah, you can take the train too. Either way it goes, we have folks out there who will try to harm you either because you’re American, because you’re rich, because you’re tall, because you’re fat, or just because it’s Tuesday. Deal with it, shut up and live life.

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