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