The President has morning breath

Rudy Giuliani's recent speech to the NRA was interrupted by a phone call from his wife. The debate as to whether or not the phone call was real or planned is justified in the world of politics. But the more important issue is the use of cell phones in public places and perhaps candidates sharing more than we need them to share. I guess with the advent of facebook, myspace and Youtube its hard for political candidates to hide from sharing too much about themselves. However, as I'm wont to do, I really wonder if I need to know about Giuliani's wife getting on a plane in England or the fact that Edwards loves his wife so much he broke her rib kissing her. This need to know the personal side of the candidate is a bit much or better yet - too much information (TMI). I don't need to know that Barak Obama has morning breath and I sure as hell don't need to know that he smells. Most guys smell but I don't need to harp on it. Try doing a two mile run at 4:30am with guys who either didn't take a bath the night before or did or did not do something that resembles good hygiene the night before. I also don't need to hear that Ms. Obama's daughters talk to her about their periods. None of this has anythign to do with being president of the US nor should it. Ms. Obama says here that Barak leaves his socks on the floor. Why do we need to know this?

Two months ago Hillary was accused of showing cleavage. Where do we stop? Why is this information even necessary? I want to know what Barak has in mind for our military; I want to know what Hillary has in mind for the citizens of New York State; I want to know what Rudy has in mind for keeping terrorists at bay. I don't need to know what they wear to bed, who they are talking to on a cell phone that should have been silenced, I don't need to know about Barak's morning breath but rather about how he plans on turning hope into reality. None of these things are going to make me vote one way or another for a candidate but rather where they stand on the important issues of the day.

The last lecture of Randy Pausch 1

Here is the video of Prof. Pausch's last lecture. It's long but worth it.

Making Peace with Death

I was lying in bed on Friday morning while my gf was getting ready for work and I was listening to Good Morning America. Diane Sawyer was talking to a guy who was talking about allowing people to prove their goodness. In my most cynical way I said to myself, yeah that will happen. As I listened further I found that I wanted to hear more from this guy and what was the main point of his speech. I promised to go to the GMA website and check it out later. I completely forgot about it but now I want to present it to everyone because its important and to some extent precious. I don't do a lot of "precious" things but sometimes we have to pay attention.

Randy Pausch is dying of pancreatic cancer and made his last lecture to his students this week as he prepares to die. I'm really not sure why I've decided to post this other than saying that every now and then something touches you and you just go with it. Here is Pausch on GMA. I don't think there needs to be a major summary here because Pausch says it all.

The Jena 6

I have to admit that I have not been following the Jena Six story until recently and only found out about it via another blog site. I guess that's what's so great about having so many blogs out there. The case of the Jena 6 is an interesting one and there are a number of stories some of which I have presented here. There are two things that make this case interesting to me and they are: 1) Why was there a "white tree" in the first place? and 2) Why did the district attorney make the statement, "I can end your lives with a stroke of a pen?" Lets take these one at a time.

The fact that there was a "white tree" suggests to me that there was and is something intrinsically wrong with the school's administration. Why would they allow something like this to take place? At least it should have been condemned by the administration and at worse the tree should have been cut down before all of this happened. There is no white area or black area in a school? Yes, the argument could be made that kids create their own areas but they don't claim them as white or colored areas.

The DA, Reed Walters, seems to have a problem with power and probably other issues. How do you make comments like this one to young people? As John McWhorter states in his article here, "And trying to leave five teenagers behind bars for thirty years for beating a guy up." It seems a bit extreme to me and obviously to many especially since the victim was up and out that night attending an awards ceremony. Please, don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating violence in any form but something smells fishy here. Is the DA up for re-election? Is this the case that is going to place his name in nomination for a judgeship? What is it?

The case has caught fire and protesters took to the streets, namely those in Jena, yesterday to protest the treatment of these young people. From all accounts the march was peaceful but for the black panthers advocating otherwise as reported here which brought out the police in droves. That may have worked in the 60's but they were ignored as folks packed to leave. It sounds to me like the march was more of a get together than a throw back to the 60's civil rights movement. Although Jesse Jackson wanted it to be and as much and stole Dr. King's words as seen here. Whatever happens I hope this does not become another reason to hate whitey. This cannot be so especially when it involves young people. Maybe if the DA was replaced or was ordered to respond to specific questions it would help the healing process in the town and in the hearts of the young people involved. I know this sounds polly annish but sometimes it works.

Making a Difference

For now it seems that Clinton Young is the winner of Tuesday's Democratic primary. The official word will come Monday after the Board of Elections re-canvass ballots on Monday. Ernest Davis is pondering his next move and will be sitting down with advisers before making a decision. Unfortunately one of his options is to run on the Conservative and Independent lines. I say unfortunate because this should be a closed chapter in the Ernie Davis book. His comment in this article is probably the only time I'll agree with him and that is, "People did not take this seriously. They thought that I would roll over (my opponent) and not need their help." Well thanks to those who did not turn out to vote for Davis but more importantly to those who turned out to vote for Young. Of course, I think Young has a lot of work to do and he's not perfect but we have to start somewhere and with someone other than Ernest Davis. I would ask Young as his first act is to looking into getting rid of the influx of dollar stores crowding out more reputable retailers.

A New Day for Mt. Vernon

This is very good news. The citizens of Mt. Vernon can now look forward to a new day and less negativity. Time to send Mr. Davis on his way. Lets hope the numbers keep going in Clinton's favor.

You Go Girl!

Oprah Winfrey has proven her moxie by holding a fundraiser for Barak Obama at her mansion in California. However, she did not allow anyone to enter the mansion and confiscated recording devices and cameras. But Obama made $3million via those who paid $2,300 a piece. It seems Oprah likes the candidate and has a horse in the race. If Barak wins there will be nothing we can do with Oprah.

This is a good one for a laugh. On Monday its good to laugh.

How Do You Define Stupid?

I'm told that when raising a child it is best to give them examples of right and wrong in order for them to learn to do the right thing. It seems that some adults have missed the boat and have forgotten the rules of right and wrong. The example in this instance is O.J. Simpson. It seems that O.J. hasn't learned the many valid lessons many have tried to teach him or maybe he's just plain stupid. Ok, it has been alleged that he broke into a room to retrieve items that he claims to be his. But the question is, why not let the police do it or hire an investigator to do the job? Why do it yourself unless you are a damn imbecile. Now the question is, will O.J. play the race card once again? Only time will tell.

This is a good overview of what we have to look forward to.

Wake Me Up When It's Over

I'm having a hard time getting excited about the 2008 elections or maybe I'm just not excited about the candidates. I do like a couple on the Republican side but I'm not sure if they are really who I want for president. Here is a Rasmussen Report on the candidates and the numbers are quite interesting. My bottom line problem is that I never like primaries. I just think there is a lot of hot air out there right now and the real campaign starts when a candidate is selected. But until such time I'll make my comments on the Republicans as I have on the Democrats.

Stand Tall

I did not have the opportunity to say a few words on 9/11 and so let me do so now. On September 11, 2001 I awoke as usual and got ready to go to work. As I was driving to work I thought out loud how beautiful a day it was and said a word of thanks. I arrived at work ready to work and the first thing I noticed was that I didn't have Internet connection. I immediately assumed it was due to the incompetence of our technology department and moved on to another computer hoping the problem was with my computer. Unfortunately it was a problem for everyone in the office. Then someone said that there was something going on in the city and that this was possibly the cause for the failure of our computers. Since we did not have a TV or radio in the office I went out to my car and turned on my car radio. What I heard in the next few minutes would change my life forever - "The second tower has just imploded." What the hell was going on?

I ran back to my office and informed the staff as to what I had heard and we all looked at each other in silence. In a couple of hours we got the call that the university was closing for fear that there maybe further carnage. As I drove home I listened to the radio and could not believe what I was hearing. It was at that time that I started to get really angry and didn't know what to do with myself. It was about 12noon when I got home, with a six pack of Heineken beer, and I immediately turned on the television. I tried hopelessly to get on the Internet as I watched the television in amazement. I could not believe what had happened and I was mad as hell and I felt helpless. For the rest of the afternoon and evening I drank and tried to abate my anger. I wanted to get in my car and drive to the city but every news account said not to. It was very easy to drink a lot that evening.

Six years later I'm still angry. I'm angry at the people who think that we are scum. I'm mad at the people who hate our way of life. I'm mad at the people who think that those 3,000 people are worth nothing. I'm mad that some people think that it's our fault. I'm mad that the Muslim community in the US won't stand with us and condemn this kind of hate. I'm mad but I know that America will carry on and we will win in the end.

What Not To Do

This is a great article and one that should be posted in each residence hall and common areas in the schools in Manhattan. Of course I would like to add a few more things to the list. Here goes.
* Don't scream at the top of your lungs at 3am while walking home from the local bar.
There are people who actually live in the neighborhood and are probably asleep so as to get up in the morning to go to work. Also, the resident cannot always distinguish between a horsing around scream and a scream for help.

Don't use your cell phone while crossing the street.
When you use your cell phone you miss the green light of the oncoming car.

Don't talk about using feminine wipes on a crowded elevator.
You really don't want the whole building to know you shacked up with the guy you met in the bar last night.

If you scored a perfect score on the SAT don't use the word "like."
Using the word like makes you sound stupid.

Don't take your high heels off and walk around Manhattan.
You cannot even begin to imagine the amount of germs you can pick up within the first 10 minutes of walking.

Uniforms for All

I like this, I like this, I like this. I am a firm advocate of school uniforms. I think that students wearing uniforms cuts down on crime, cuts down on fashion statements and takes away from the distractions that kids feel when they are sporting the latest style. As one teacher said in the article, "It is a direct investment in children." I do believe that kids wearing uniforms tend to pay more attention in class than those who are fussing with skimpy tops and tight jeans. I think it should be in every school until kids get to college.

Home Again...

School has started and the fun begins. From freshmen to seniors, everyone is getting back into going to classes, doing homework and partying. I recently walked by NYU's campus in NYC and tried to listen in to some of the many conversations going on near the Stern business school. I didn't hear anything exciting but everyone seemed animated and excited about being on campus. Unfortunately my gf and I have already experienced the loud screams that NYU students tend to emit at 3am. And this was only a week after their move in day. I have a feeling its going to be a long semester.

But this story you couldn't make up if you tried. Two freshmen at Northeastern University were sent home for possession of marijuana in their room along with bottles of booze. It seemed that one of the two yelled out his dorm window that he had "weed" if anyone was looking for it. Now that may not have been so bad but there were plainclothes police in earshot. The rest as they say is history. At $45,000 a pop these two have learned a costly lesson. Classes hadn't even begun. As I said, you can't make this stuff up. I must say it is truly laughable.

Wait and See

I have been waiting for Fred Thompson to enter the race before I make my predictions on the Republicans. So, expect my comments early next week. Unfortunately I did not watch the debate tonight so I have no comments. But of course I have comments albeit I missed the debate. See you then.

Finally!

It's not yet Thursday but the New York Times is already reporting that Fred Thompson has made his announcement as a presidential candidate. Here is the article. Thompson has a lot to do to convince voters that he's their man. Lets see what happens in the next couple of days.

Trust But Verify

Over dinner tonight my gf asked if I have ever thought about leaving the Republican Party. After looking stunned at such a question I admitted that yes I have thought about it but that you don't run for the hills when things go bump in the night. After all, I'm battling cancer here, which is worse - staying in the Republican Party or keeping up with chemo? Ok, some may opt for staying with chemo, I get it. But this is what I said to her after my comment above, "My Republican values trumps most everything and while I'm a lesbian and care a hell of a lot about gay issues I still care about other issues such as immigration. Besides, you don't quit as soon as the tough gets going. If that were the case I would have given up on fighting cancer.

In any event, she does have a point and it is something I have considered. I have also considered quitting chemo sessions because I'm sick of them but that's another story for another time. Lets face it the Republican Party is, at a minimum, in a slow spiral and at a maximum bleeding from several orifices. I probably shouldn't use the word orifice hence I get called out as gay. Hey, wait a minute, I am gay. Ok, I digress. The bottom line here is that the Republican Party is probably in need of some Lexapro which is an antidepressant drug. They cannot be feeling great about themselves right now and they cannot have a lot of comeback when they are told that there is hypocrisy in the party.

Now, I realize that I'm breaking a golden rule by publicly criticizing the party - my party. Ronald Reagan was the first to suggest that we shouldn't criticize each other in public. But we really need to talk about this problem and it is a problem that will affect the party in 2008. So we need to talk about it now rather than hide and only discuss it behind closed doors. So besides me, Robert Novak is discussing it here in his article. Ok, I'm no Bob Novak but great minds think alike. I'm not sure he offers the silver bullet but he does make good points such as: 1) How many examples of scandalous behavior are known but hidden?; 2) Warner's announcement of retirement potentially gives the Democrats a real majority; 3) No Republican candidate for president has inspired the party faithful; and 4) You could always count on the other party when it came to corruption but the potential Republican leader has a more complicated problem.

So, what do we do? First, we stop using gays as a wedge issue. Second, we ease people out of office who have broken the rules before it's too late. Third, we recognize that gay and lesbian Americans are part and parcel of the Republican Party and are probably more committed to Republican values than some at the base. Fourth, the important issues, i.e. immigration, the war, the economy, a limited government, a strong national defense and personal responsibility, impact the lives of real people all across the nation. It's time to get back to work on what matters to the citizens of the United States of America.

Don McLean - American Pie

Remembrances of times past. This happens to be one of my favorite songs and put to a video it is powerful. It's a bit long but worth it.

Read A Book

I heard about this PSA today and just had to look for myself - hmmm. I don't know what to say. I understand and fully support the concept but why do it in such a crude fashion? Couldn't we have a rapper sing the same words minus the foul language and the booty shaking to get across the message? Are we saying this is the only way young black people will understand? Isn't this similar to encouraging ebonics in the schools because it is either a foreign language or a cultural experience? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then we have more problems than I thought.

Sex in Public Restrooms=Gay Victims

Several days ago I wrote a piece about the "bigger picture" in the Larry Craig scandal. Since then I have spoken about it and have not changed my opinion. In the last couple of days I have read many articles on Craig and a few blogs. I now read Jim McGreevey's epistle on Senator Craig. The article is, in my opinion, McGreevey's first student paper at the General Theological Seminary of the Episcapal Church in New York. McGreevey should have kept this piece as a student paper as it like him bothers me. The number one problem with most of what I have read is that many believe that there is no "outlet" for gay men's sexual expression but public bathrooms. That is more than offensive. To suggest to me that a gay man whether out or not cannot find a private place to have sex but parks and bathrooms is not only perverse but playing the victim card. Is this the kind of legacy we want to leave younger gays? I hope not.

Sagging Jeans gets a Ticket

Many years ago, while recruiting in the Bronx, I remember taking a young man aside and counseling him on his approach to recruiters. He had saddled up to my table and said, "Yo, what's up?" I took him aside and counseled him as to the correct approach to recruiter's tables. I told him it was a good idea that he go up to the table, gave the greeting of the day, and ask, tell me what specializations your law school is most famous for. There are a myriad of questions that prospective students can ask recruiters and I went over many with him. I also told him that while it wasn't my job to take him aside that I thought it important for him to know this information in anticipation of future recruiting events. While this young man was initially taken aback by my correcting him, he called me the next day to thank me. I sometimes wonder if we all did this to for our young people if it wouldn't make a difference in their behavior.

I think a similar stance should be taken with sagging pants. In this article by the New York Times, we read about sagging jeans becoming a criminal offense in many municipalities. In Louisiana, lawmakers have decided that, "pants worn low enough to expose underwear poses a threat to the public." And thus they have passed indecency ordinances to prohibit the wearing of sagging pants. While I absolutely hate this style, if you want to call it a style, I don't agree that it should be criminalized. I don't think we need to legislate everything that people even when some of those things are stupid. You cannot legislate stupidity. Plus if you criminalize this behavior what's next? In any event, I don't think this is an issue for law enforcement but one for parents and the community. If we all said something maybe the trend would end.

In the article, we read that the "style" is that of hip hop artists but more disturbing is that it began in prison. And if we took it one step forward, we are told that the majority of people who wear this style are black and thus the legislation is picking on black men. Of course I don't buy that part of the article and would rather stick with some of the more constructive statement like that of Councilwoman Annette Lartigue and Ben Chavis - "The focus should be on cleaning up the social conditions that the sagging pants comes out of." Here, here and maybe instituting school uniforms would help as well.

See You in September

As the new school year rolls forward Mt. Vernon school district opens a new school catering to ninth and tenth graders. A third high school will be opening in Mt. Vernon along side Mt. Vernon High School and the Nelson Mandela High School. The Nelson Mandela High School is an alternative school. The new school, Thornton High School is named after Nellie A. Thornton who served as its principal for 22 years. For now the school will enroll ninth and tenth graders and expand its enrollment in the coming years.

This is a new beginning as is every new academic year so I wish the administrators but mostly the 9th and 10th graders the best. Administrators promise that the school will be academically rigorous and I hope it follows through with its promise. I hope that the Thornton High School's grade report will reflect that rigor.

It's a Done Deal

I'm watching CNN as Senator Larry Craig has just come forward to the podium to make his announcement. "It is my intent to resign my position as senator effective September 30th." Those are the words from the senator as he stood with his wife, daughter and one of his sons. He thanked many standing behind him along with his family and the people of Idaho for having served them all these years.

Madam Secretary

"A Day for Departures" is how The New York Times titled the many announcements of departures made by members of the Bush administration. Right below that caption is this one, "As Her Star Wanes, Rice Tries to Reshape Legacy." Now maybe its just my cynicism taking over here but one could make the leap and assume that The New York Times maybe making a prediction or subliminally planting a seed in our heads. Whichever it is I think the positioning of the articles are quite interesting.

And who hasn't thought of whether or not Secretary of State Rice is the next to leave the White House please raise their hand. I sure have given it some thought especially after Carl Roves resignation and, as of yesterday, departure. Since Roves resignation there has been the resignation of Bush's spokesman Tony Snow and his Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez. We now have Senator John Warner stating that he would retire at the end of his term and we will probably soon hear Senator Larry Craig resign after he was arrested for soliciting sex in a public bathroom. So the Times positioning of Dr. Rice's article may seem prescient.

The article talks not of Rice's resignation but her contemplation of her legacy as national security adviser and secretary of state. The article is typical Rice in that she is taciturn in her comments on what she sees as her legacy. The number one item that will follow her when she returns to Stanford, however, is the Iraqi war. Secretary of Rice is seen as one of the many "archetects" of the war and one that many people are unwilling to give absolution. It is also a decision, according to the article, Rice said that she would "accept peoples assessment" of. Maybe before her tenure is up she will have brokered a peace deal between the Isarelis and the Palestinians. Now there would be a real legacy.

It Takes an Organization

As parents and children prepare to go back to school this week, organizations like this one are urging black men to own up to their responsibilities as fathers and not "baby daddies." The Million Father March whose first plea to black men took place in the 2005 - 2006 academic year and is once again urging its participants to take their kids to school and introduce themselves to teachers. The organization has participants from over 100 cities including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

The National Center for Education tells us that parental involvement in a child's academic career increases literacy. To go one step further parental involvement in the lives of their children makes a positive difference whether the Center tells us that or not. Encouraging black men to take their children to school, while a nice idea, should not require public officials to hold a press conference doing just that. But then again we are talking here about Mayor Ernest Davis and his ability to turn common sense issues into issues that will bring out more black votes. I'm somewhat surprised that there is an organization that has formed around this issue. Why do black men need an organization to tell them to do the right thing? Why do black men have to march to do the right thing? Someone explain this to me like I'm a six year old.