There Once Was a Time

I grew up in the city of Mt. Vernon, NY. Mt. Vernon is, next to Yonkers, the southern most city in Westchester County. When I was growing up in Mt. Vernon it had the feel of a small town where people knew one another or worked at getting to know each other. I remember walking down 4th Avenue, which is considered the main thoroughfare of the city, and stopping in stores that were owned by families with roots in the city. I remember visiting a local music store with my mom and the salesman assuming I wanted the Jackson Five album and not the Osmonds. I remember visiting the Five and Dime and purchasing my first bag of marbles - boy did I love those shiny marbles. I also remember the day the first McDonalds opened on the "Avenue" and paying 35c for a hamburger. There was a lot of quality stores and the street was clean and there wern't many low end stores - they would come years later.

The other interesting thing about Mt. Vernon is that it was and probably still is a segregated town. Blacks live on the South side and Whites live on the North side. When I was in high school, I didn't go to the local high school but attended an all girls catholic high school in New Rochelle, I remember writing a paper on Mt. Vernon and during my research found out that the local train station was built to separate the town into North Side and the South Side. The division is still obvious today. There are black families living on the North side but the majority of homeowners are Italian and in recent years there has been an influx of immigrants from Brazil. Other parts of Mt. Vernon boasts million dollar homes and leafy streets where young couples raise their children in peace and quiet. Mt. Vernon was also home to movie stars, famous singers and professional athletes like Denzel Washington, Ozzie Davis and Ruby Dee, before they moved to New Rochelle, Sidney Poitier, Heavy D, Felice Rishad and many more. Denzel Washington still gives to the Boys and Girls Club and has recently endorsed Clinton Young for his run for mayor. With all his donations to the Boys and Girls Club it still remains a hole in the wall than someplace kids go to play. What has been done with the money is probably a good question to ask Mayor Davis.

Mt. Vernon has changed over the years and in my opinion not for the better. Yes, some of the neighborhoods are still considered nice and couples can still raise their families in peace and quiet but change hasn't been good to the city. Even though I no longer live in Mt. Vernon and have had several addresses since then I still have family there so I go back to spend time with them. The main corridor, 4th Avenue has become a haven for low end stores and many of the more established family run stores are gone. Mixed in with these stores are the Korean fruit stands, the Korean fish store, the Jamaican food store, the Asian nails salon and the ever present Afrocentric bookstores. On first glance, 4th Avenue looks like a black ghetto with a sprinkling of Asians, Indians etc. It is very rare that you see a white face on 4th Avenue especially further South unless they are copping drugs. It is unfortunate but it is what it is.

For the past twelve years, Ernest Davis has served as the mayor of Mt. Vernon. It is my opinion, that he has been in this position for so long because he is black in a predominantly black city. He has maintained the status quo throwing the occasional bone to his constituents to keep them happy, i.e. plans to open the first hip hop museum in the city. He has also boasted plans to improve the 3rd Street corridor which is probably the most dangerous street in Mt. Vernon. So, the question is, has there been any improvements in Mt. Vernon? Yes, there has. The Sandford Boulevard corridor has brought much needed economic growth to the city and the mayor is credited for this success. But, there are still many borded up storefronts, dirty streets, drug problems, mediocre municipal services, and a segregated city. The mayor's most recent project, construction of a European style roundabout supposedly celebrates the city's renaissance. Unfortunatley, a roundabout doesn't make a city and a segregated city is not a positive city. So once again Davis is being challenged and once again he assumes the cockey disposition that helped beat his other opponents. In this article Davis' arrogance comes true when he states, "Everybody thinks they can beat me. I don't know. I must have that look." And that is the kind of arrogance that Westchester County Legislator Clinton Young will have to face in the upcoming primary. Good luck to him but more importantly, good luck to Mt. Vernon.

Any Means Necessary

If you have read my blog before you know how mcuh I hate pedophiles. I use the word hate because hate is a word that everyone who cares about children should use. The power of the word hate reminds us of how animalistic and debased they are as they indulge in debauchery that many children barely survive. I don't believe that these people can be reformed and do believe that they should be medicated. I also believe that they should be kept as far away from children as is legally possible. In this story we find that the legal system cannot touch Jack McClellan even though he claims to be a pedophile and has a website detailing places where children can be found. According to the article McClellan's activities are not against the law so he goes untouched. I'm not one for more laws but in this case we need to do something to protect our children.

Al Sharpton in Yonkers July 21st 2007

I would like someone to explain this to me like I'm a six year old. Why is it that blacks feel the need to march, rally, disturb the piece for something as simple as "loving yourself"? Could someone answer this for me because I'm truly perplexed. I realize what this "Love Yourself" rally was suppose to do but why? How about working within the system? How about having a liaison to the police in Yonkers? How about asking the mayor to address blacks who have felt that the Yonkers police is out of control? Why do we need to have a Love Yourself Rally? I don't understand it. In 1995 Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam held a Million Man march in Washington to register blacks to vote. Why? Couldn't they do that back in their neighborhoods? The March also advocated "unity, atonement and brotherhood." And participants were asked to "clean up their lives and their neighborhoods." Do you need to go to Washington to do this? I don't get it.

Update on the Bruhaha at City Hall

It seems that Viola Plummer was sitting next to Councilman Charles Barron on the floor of the New York City City Council. She was not suppose to be there because the floor is reserved for councilmembers, speakers and guests of the City Council Speaker. Plummer fit none of these categories because she was fired two weeks ago. On the way out Barron pointed at Quinn and said, "Christine you will never be mayor." Sounds like a threat to me. And as I reported earlier Plummer, I heard her this time, screamed "Let go of me, let go of me." She was talking to the guards and Barron believe it or not. But the best soundbite was when Plummer said, "What difference does it make where I sit? I could sit in there, I could sit out here (the hallway), I could sit on the roof. But I know what she is doing, she wants to aggrivate me." And this comes from a woman who thinks she doesn't have a behavior problem. She vows to be back at the next session of the council in August. Too bad I'll be on Cape Cod or else I would try to be there just for the fireworks.

Behavior Speaks for Itself

Apparently there was some excitement in the New York City Council chambers as Viola Plummer, the fired staff member of Councilman Charles Barron, was escorted from the chambers. Plummer was seen being escorted from the chambers by guards and then to compound it she behaved like a child throwing a tantrum by stomping her feet and yelling something inaudible. And she thought Quinn was rude when she asked her to have more decorum in the chambers. It seems like Quinn was right in asking Plummer to curb her behavior. Oh, but I forgot Blacks are not suppose to be asked to curb their behavior because its racist.

We have trouble on the horizon. Charles Barron is running, here, for Borough President of Brooklyn. See his comment to Speaker Quinn. The question is, will Sharpton denounce Barron's rhetoric?

Awash in Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy - a semblance of having desirable or publicly approved attitudes, beliefs, principles, etc., that one does not actually possess. We live in a world where this definition tends to stick to individuals like white on rice. Unfortunately, it seems like second skin to elected officials and bible stomping cretins. When people ask me how can I be a Republican when there are so many homophobes in the party I cringe and then ask them to look at elected officials that are neither homophobic nor want to amend the Constitution. And even though our friends aren't numbered in the thousands we can find sweet revenge in folks like Mark Fowley, Jim McGreevey and as of last week, David Vitter the Republican Senator from Louisiana.

It seems that Senator Vitter has some splaining to do to his wife and kids who he used in his ad supporting amending the Constitution to make marriage between one man and one woman. Frank Rich has an excellent article here on Mr. Vitter's rise and I'm hoping huge fall from grace. When I was a child growing up there was one saying that I heard over and over which was - when light comes to day all the sins of man will be reveiled. I also learned as a young child that christians were loving people. But I guess people like Vitter lives by the saying, do as I say and not as I do.

Blah, Blah, Blah

My partner and I are part of a small minority of movie goers who actually like watching coming attractions. I realize that many hate trailers but I love them. And the uproar to have theaters publish the actual start time of movies so as to avoid these trailers is another faux issue for pretentious Manhattanites who have convinced themselves that their time is more precious than anyone else's. Sitting back and watching coming attractions is fun and actually helps in deciding if we are going to see the movie or not. My partner and I have given many a thumbs up or down to movies we saw by way of comming attractions. Watching coming attractions also gives a birds eye view of the kind of crap Hollywood is selling to movie goers. Unfortunately its also a barometer on the likes and dislikes of movie goers as when a trailer comes on screen for an inane movie like Wedding Crashers. Of course that one received a double thumbs down from us.

One recent movie that got the thumbs down is Chuck and Larry. I, like many, enjoy watching movies with gay themes and I can take a joke like the next guy but... I'm not a fan of Adam Sandler. His "antics" is reminiscent of the kind of slapstick comedy of which I'm not a fan. And while I'm all for making us mainstream this is not the way to do it. But it seems as though Chuck and Larry got a pass from GLAAD. How this happened is beyond me but what do I know. I'm not so sure if the movie is offensive as stupid. And for that alone they should have received a thumbs down from GLAAD. But as I said, what do I know?

House of Pain

Many years ago I read a book titled, "Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies and Bucks An Interpretative History of Blacks in American Films," written by Donald Bogle. The book talked about the image of blacks in American film over a fifty year period. When I read the book I was amazed but came away with more knowledge about blacks in film. Some of the images presented in the book were quite negative but I think Bogle's point was to show where we were and where we are now. He goes on to show more positive images in his book to make his point that we have come a long way. And we have come a long way.

I remembered Bogle's book the night I watched Tyler Perry's House of Payne's debut on TBS on June 6th. I remembered the book and its descriptions of blacks in movies because "House of Payne" was so painful to watch and in my opinion depicts the buffonery that Bogle told of in his book. Whether you want to believe that blacks want to make these types of shows is a discussion for another time but to think that blacks actually vie for these roles is something altogether different. The show, in my humble opinion, is a mockery of blacks. It's the kind of humor that Bogle talks about in his book where the mammy types are dark black, loud and obnoxious. Its the kind of show that blacks probably would run away from instead of embracing it as a commentary on black life in Atlanta. The "multigenerational" family is, in one word, embarassing.

I realize that Tyler Perry has made a name for himself doing this type of work but maybe he needs to quit while he's on top. House of Payne is not funny and is an embarassment to blacks. While watching it I felt as though I had been transformed back to the fifty's when shows depicting blacks as simpletons were popular. House of Payne is a House of Pain.

When Liberals Misspeak

Whenever I write something on my blog and think to myself that readers are going to think I'm way too right or that I have sold black folks down the river I read an article penned by John McWhorter and I know I'm ok. This article is, as usual, on point and reflective of a conversation I had today with a friend. It would seem to me that liberals not only don't get it they have somehow loss their hearing. Why? Because I don't think they hear the stupid things that come from their lips. When a liberal says that black kids learn better when they are in a classroom with white children instead of in a classroom of all blacks that is saying something about "black" kids. It is saying that somehow blacks can't learn among one another. It's probably saying that they are too stupid to learn among their own. And it's probably saying that the only way black kids are going to learn is when they are in the company of white kids. Now, does anyone find this a bit racist? Hmmm. So, if you were to follow this logic then liberals should be against HBC's (Historically Black Colleges) since they admit and enroll only blacks. And if you were to follow this "logic" you would then agree that these schools need integration because "white" kids could benefit from being in the classroom with black kids. Right? Or maye the integration only goes in one direction. Maybe I should pose the question to Mrs. Clinton.

When Blacks Become Racists

In his book, "The Content of Our Character," Shelby Steele states, "If conditions have worsened for most of us as racism had receded, then much of the problem must be of our own making. To admit this fully would cause us to lose the innocence we derive from our victimization. And we would jeopardize the entitlement we've always had to challenge society. We are in the odd self-defeating position in which taking responsibility for bettering ourselves feels like a surrender to white power." This idea of taking responsibility for bettering ourselves that Steele wrote about in 1990 is still, in 2007, absent in the black community. And why is it absent? A good answer could be found in the same book where Steele talks about the challengers and the bargainers. The challengers are those blacks that say, "if your innocent then prove it. The bargainers says, "I already believe you are innocent (good, fair-minded) and have faith that you will prove it." He goes on to give examples of blacks that fall into these two categories.

Throughout the years there have been many challengers and bargainers in the black community. The first bargainer that comes to mind is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the challenger that immediately comes to mind is Malcolm X even though it could be argued that he later became a bargainer. There are others throughout black history and today we have Councilman Charles Barron. Councilman Barron is never at a loss for words especially when he is calling out whitey. The latest episode in a very vetriolic life, Councilman Barron says, "We are not bowing down to white supremacy, never, never, never. He was chanting this after Council Speaker Christine Quinn suspended Barron's chief of staff Viola Plummer. They have since brought a law suit against the speaker.

This has come about because Plummer was accused of calling for the assassination of Councilman Leroy Comrie after he did not vote for a name change of a street in Brooklyn. Plummer, however, denied that and said she called for an assassination of his political career. Plummer was suspended by Quinn for sixe weeks but continues to work in Barron's office.

So what's the problem? The problem is this-if Charles Barron was a white councilman he would be "forced" to resign because he would be tarnished as a racist. But we live in a society that says that blacks can't be racist because of their innocence. Blacks can't be criticized because they are the victims. Blacks can't have power because they are the oppressed. The other problem with this issue is that Barron and his chief of staff refuse to listen to those who think that the renaming of a street in Brooklyn the Sonny Carson Street. Sonny Carson, who died in 2003, claimed to be antiwhite. So why would the City Council name a street after him? Because Barron and Plummer says so. Sonny Carson as written about here by Tamar Jacoby not only does not deserve a street named after him he also doesn't deserve to be discussed in a positive light. The name of Sonny Carson should be brought up as an example to young black children that people like Mr. Carson owe a debt to society instead of the other way around.

I do not believe that there should be any street naming. It is not necessary and simply a waste of our time and money. But what's more important is that we need to start talking up and against people like Charles Barron. We need more bargainers and less challengers.

No To Jamaica: Part 3

It seems that there is no shortage of hate for gays in Jamaica. When gays or people perceived to be gay are killed the gay panic defense is used to decry the foulness of killing. In this instance, Rev. Richard Johnson was killed by a young man who claims that the Reverend sexually attacked him. Here and here are stories of the killing. A year after the brutal stabbing of Ambassador Peter King, Jamaican officials have finally arrested a suspect. And as you would have it Sheldon Pusey, the suspect, claims the ambassador was making sexual advances and so [he] had to defend his honor. I guess simply saying no is not enough and so to prove your not a battyman it's easier to stab the person to death. I'll keep track of this story and report back. Unfortunately my cynicism tells me this young man will get off especially since leading politicians are already warning that the laws against homosexuality will not be rescinded anytime soon. Jamaica will be having elections in the near future and here is what the opposition leader Bruce Golding of the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) had to say.

In reading these stories I came across blogs discussing the killings and a young man said something that I have been thinking for awhile and have probably been afraid to say it but I will now. He said, "I just think Jamicans are gutless and have no respect for life. Any place that murder, children, old people, priests, nuns is just a jungle. The only thing Jamaica has going for it is the glorious past as my grandmother remembered it." I'll add to the list, gays. And I'll add this as well, the glorious past was also a time when Jamaica was ruled by England. Maybe its time to return to that past because its obvious to me that blacks can't rule themselves.

The Republicans Rendezvous with Destiny

"Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem." So said Ronald Reagan followed by Barry Goldwater's wise words, "I fear Washington and centralized government more than I do Moscow." In 2007, however, it would seem that the words of these two politicians have gone unheaded by the Republican and conservatives. Ryan Sager, gives us much evidence to prove that the Republican Party has lost its way and have abandoned Republican values. Sager makes the following statement: "Today, no longer bound together by the Cold War or opposition to Bill Clinton and having tasted power at the small price of bending their beliefs, the two aides are fighting over nothing less than whether the Republican Party will complete its abandonment of the very principle upon which their fusionist marriage has been based these many years: a commitment to limited government."

Sager goes on to ask the following questions: "Will they continue to accept the idea of government as nanny, protecting children from sex and violence in TV shows, movies, video games, and ever other conceivable medium, in lieu of demanding a society in which parents are expected to be responsible for their own children? Will social conseravtives continue to accept billions of dollars of government money channeled to religious charities in lieu of reducing the tax burden on Americans so that they could give more money to charity themselves?" Sager goes on to ask more questions and answer them in later chapters.

So what is a Republican doing reading this book? Well it's very simple, the Republican Party has strayed away from Republican values and this president is the worse culprit of all. Also, zealots of any stripe drives me crazy. And maybe, just maybe I don't understand Evangelicals who have been allowed to take over my party by this president to preach to me that I am less of an American because I'm gay. The Republican Party needs to own up to their mistakes.

Sager's book is a good one in that he traces the party of Lincoln through its many permutations. Here are a few comments on the book.

1) When big government takes the place of Republican value of limited government you have lost the race before the last vote is counted;

2) Compromising principles on education is analagous to the "soft bigotry of low expectations;"

3) Securing the boarders is more important than amending the Constitution to restrict rights of gay and lesbian Americans; and

4) Your rendezvous with destiny is here.

Sager pretty much nails the problems facing Republicans and Conservatives and backs them up with convincing evidence. For those of us who are concerned about our party this is a good book to read and discuss with friends who want to see change. Sager presents excellent comments from various leaders and journalists and one of my favorite is Peggy Noonan. Sager quotes Noonan as saying, "If we are going to spend like the romantics and operators of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society; If we are thereby going to change the very meaning and nature of conservatism; If we are going to increase spending and the debt every year; If we are going to become a movement that supports big government...shouldn't we perhaps at least discuss it?"

We need to do more than discuess it we need to stop the bleeding out of the party.

What Are They Thinking?

I hope that what I'm about to do is not seen as disrespectful but as harmless humor. This morning my gf and I were sitting around drinking coffee and reading the morning paper and ran across this picture on the front page of The New York Times. We immediately launched into a conversation as to what each person was thinking in this picture. Once again, no disrespect intended. I wish I had pop ups for this but I'll make do with what I have.

Nancy Reagan: "I hope this many people come to my funeral."

Rosalyn Carter: "I don't know why Jimmy keeps dragging me to these events."

Jimmy Carter: "I could use a peanut butter and jelly sandwich right about now."

Laura Bush: "It's so damn hot in here my makeup is running."

Bill Clinton: "Hillary, I knew you did that."

Hillary Clinton: "So, tomorrow I have six speeches, and oh I have to remind Chelsea that we are scheduled to have dinner this week."

Barbara Bush: "And they thought I was old."

Banish Coulter

A reader writes:

For the life of me, I can't figure out why conservatives don't disown Ann Coulter. Is it that silly old rule about never criticizing one of their own? The Hannitys, the Limbaughs and the other self-appointed spokesmen for the Right are going to have to grow some cojones and learn to stand up to her.

Unfortunately, you are correct in that it's a long standing rule amongst Republicans and I think Ronald Reagan was the one who started it. And while I agree with not airing your dirty laundry the Republicans seem almost hypocritical by not saying "anything." Plus, on principles alone somone should say something. Thanks for writing.

Rock On WCBSFM

I thought I had a Twilight Zone moment this morning when I heard a familiar voice on the station 101.1fm. For sometime now the 101.1 band had gone rock and roll much to my chagrin. But then I realized that I hadn't stepped into the Twilight Zone but back into the great sound of WCBSFM. The familiar voice I was hearing was that of Bob Shannon and Mr. G doing the weather. To say I was estatic is an understatement. Now I can enjoy "real" music on my way to work again. Thanks CBS.

A Time To Remember

I have had the good fortune to read several books in the last couple of weeks and this one is really special. I'm pretty much a voracious reader and am never without a book, a magazine, etc. This book is a must read for anyone who liked or disliked Ronald Reagan. Peggy Noonan's writing is excellent, descriptive and extremely compassionate. Noonan gives insight to a man that was truly misunderstood and hated but at the end of the day he was truly a remarkable president and human being. He gave America back its backbone and helped Americans rediscover their values.

From actor, union chief, host of GE Theater, cochairman of of Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign, governor, and president Ronald Reagan gave it 100%. He was known as the great communicator and to many he was also known as an "everyday" man. There were many quotes that resonated with me but here are just a couple that really stood out. "I didn't leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me. As many know, Reagan started out as a Democrat but like many of us experienced first hand the limitations of the party. "But as long as we remember our first principles and believe in ourselves, the future will always be ours."

I'm sure that many people will continue to agree to disagree about Ronald Reagan's leadership but at the end of the day there is something that no one can take from him-his honesty and integrity. Read the book.

Open The Gates Part 2

In his book, Patrick Buchanan states that Theodore Roosevelt "thundered again and again against hypenated-Americans." Let me take you one step further and present Roosevelt's comments in their entirety:

"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who
comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself
to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an
outrage to discriminate against any such man becuase of creed, or birthplace,
or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an
American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance
here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an
American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this
excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization
just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We
have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we
have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

In 2007, assimilation is a curse word and hypenated Americans are cool. We hang American flags only when it suits us. We stand at baseball games and refuse to put our hand over our heart and sing our national anthem. We no longer recite the Pledge of Allegiance in school. And "diversity" is the name of the game today. In this article Walter Williams reinforces the notion that something has to be done other than throwing up our hands and resign ourselves to the fact that they are here and there is nothing we can do about it.

I Don't Understand

I have mentioned before that I have colon cancer and when one is diagnosed with cancer they ask lots of questions. Why me? What did I do wrong? Did I drink too much? Did I smoke too much? Did I eat the wrong things? There are a ton of other questions but this story presents one that in a million years would never have crossed my mind. I just find it really really hard to comprehend. So is the logical question here to be is this part of the reparations owed to blacks?

Time to Act

Who would have thunk it that I would not only have read a book penned by Patrick Buchanan but also agree with him? But as I have said over and over, you can't make an intelligent argument if you don't know what you are talking about. Plus, reading evrything and anything opens your mind up and reinforces your opinions.

Two weeks ago the Senate voted down the immigration bill and helped reinforce president Bush's lame duck status. They made the right decision and maybe, just maybe a few headed Buchanan's warning. For those of you who care about our country and what crimes illegal immigrants are perpetuating then read this book. If there are those out there who are reading my blog and believe that I have a thing or two to say, go read this book. And for those of you who may not agree with Buchanan on most issues but are willing to hear him out, go read this book.

Here are three points that I would like to make about the book. First, it seems that whenever you talk about not wanting to support illegal immigration you are almost immediatley branded a racist-because you are talking about brown people; you are immediately targeted as a xenophobe; and you are targeted as anti-immigrant because we are, afterall, all immigrants. But the one that gets me the most is the canard that illegal immigrants do work that Americans wont do and according to Vincente Fox not even black people want to do. Buchanan quotes from a study done by Harvard economist George Borjas in which Borajas states that "cheap immigrant labor has reduced by 7.4 percent the wages of American workers performing low-skill jobs." He goes on to quote New York Times writer Paul Krugman as saying, "Americans are hurt fby immigration. Because Mexican immigrants have much less education than the average U.S worker, they increase the supply of less-skilled labor, driving down the wages of the worst-paid Americans." And who are some of these Americans? blacks, Hispanics, and working-class white Americans without high school diplomas.

Second, years ago I stated to friends that a lot of illegal immigrants are criminals and are adding to our criminal justice system. The retort was, Americans are criminals too. Buchanan offers some facts by way of Heather MacDonald who covers a lot of gang activity and other problems presented by illegal immigrants in California. The facts state that 95 percent of all outstanding warrants for homocide, which total 1,200 to 1,500 target illegal aliens; Two-thirds of the 17,000 outstanding fugitive felony warrants in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens; and Some 12,000 of the 20,000 strong 18th Street Gang that operates across Southern California are illegal aliens. The addition of illegal alien criminals to our justice system doesn't mean we look the other way it means we do something about it.

Third, the cost to our social services system is ushc that hospitals are going out of business. Buchanan tells us thet according to the Center for Immigration Studies, "22 percent of all births in California are to illegal aliens. As these 'anchor babies' are citizens by birth, they instantly begin to draw a lifetime of the benefits we provided all American children and their parents. Thus, social welfare costs continue to soar, though our native-born population has been close to stable for years."

If there are those out there who believe that illegals are just immigrants and they are here to make a living think again. The Mexican economy maybe be doing well but we are slowing but surely rotting under this weight. Maybe Buchanan's words will move people to do the work necessary to not only secure our borders but secure our country.

Ray Charles - America the Beautiful

I'm on vacation in VA but wanted to post something for 4th of July and this seems most appropriate. America, warts and all I love you. And for all the men and women fighting for freedom I thank you. God Bless America.

Not Black Enough

I'm always amazed at the things that are said and done in the black community especially when it comes to supporting one of our own. You would think that given our history we would support one another based on the facts or simply agree to disagree. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think we should simply support each other on the basis of skin color but at some point we have to give each other the benefit of the doubt that we can actually think and lead other blacks without being accused of "acting white," not being "black enough," or simply being too uppity. To suggest these things flies in the face of our rich history. Unfortunately, the people of Newark NJ feel just the opposite and are calling for a recall of Mayor Cory Booker.

In a recent article Booker has come under attack by constituents accusing him of being an outsider, not black enough and intimations of his sexual orientation. And are these rumors coming from racist whites? No! They are coming from the same people who saw him a year ago as someone who could save Newark. While offering no facts, blacks are calling for a recall of the mayor. It seems that his "light skin" and graduation from Stanford and Yale are factors playing against him. So much for Dr. King's dream of blacks being judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.

I have often said that blacks have no fear from racist whites when they do such a good job of keeping each other back on the plantation.

Tit for Tat?

A little shagging for losing on immigration? Here is Bush's blow back.

Balancing Act

Last week's Supreme Court decision, Seattle v. Jefferson County Board of Education, according to many, has once again thrown gas on the flames of the race problem in this country. Many, including the NAACP, declared the decision to be re-segregation. Hillary Clinton and other liberals have declared that Chief Justice Roberts and the "right wing" court have turned back the hands of the civil rights clock. But as with many things in our society today, the facts are not always clear nor are they always forthcoming. A few comments about the case and the decision.

First, years ago I sat on a panel where the issue being debated was the participation of blacks in the Republican Party. I remember using a line from Dr. King's I Have a Dream speech to drive home my point and was summarily dismissed by a black man on the panel as he basically called me an Uncle Tom. The diminution of my character was heart felt but I kept my composure and continued on. The line I used then and will use here is, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." I countered that the Democratic Party gave and continues to give lip service to Dr. King's dream and continues to regulate blacks to a life filled with affirmative action programs where race supercedes intellect. The line came to mind as soon as I heard about the decision of the Supreme Court and was reinforced by Chief Justice Roberts statement, "The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race."

Second, the case was not about the content of the children of Seattle's character but rather about their skin color. The case was not about learning but about "diversity." The case was not about separate but equal but a numbers game where kids were moved around to create a sense of "balance." Of course "learning" was not paramount on the minds of those moving the chess pieces.

Third, moving kids around for the sake of balance, does little if anything for the kids and nothing for the environment in which they need to learn and become citizens capable of critical thinking. Fourth, the process undertaken by Seattle shows no evidence that the balancing act makes a difference in academic performance. Abigail Thernstrom has been trying to argue the point of closing the academic gap between blacks and whites for somtime and states here that this balancing act does little to help academic performance. And of course the idea that blacks tend to do better when among middle class blacks or whites is part and parcel of the argument but no one makes it better than John McWhorter here.

I'm sure the case will continue to be debated and Chief Justice Roberts will be demonized for a long time to come but we don't help blacks by constantly referring to their skin color.

Ann Coulter talks about John Edwards

Come on, when is this woman going to stop? And when are people like Sean Hannity going to condemn her for her disgusting rhetoric and ask her to apologize? This is not helping Republicans but rather it is helping to make the myths about us less so. Come on people. This woman is shameful.

Stew Rocks

If you have not had a chance to see a really good play this year you still have time to do so. I recommend that you run to see Passing Strange. The off broadway play ends on July 1st.

I went to see Passing Strange a couple of weeks ago with friends and loved it, loved it, loved it. The story is about a young black man from a middle class family in Los Angeles and his struggle to "find" himself which leads him to Amsterdam's double helping of sex, drugs and rock and roll. He then moves to Berlin and meets a yet otherwise hip and politically rambunctious crowd of performance artists. Unfortunately these drive by anarchists disappoint him as they turn out to be filled with emotion rather than conviction. He then heads home to bury his mother who he has been estranged from because of what she represents and what he ran away from - the bourgeois life. Has he really changed?

The music is rock and roll and the narrator is Stew. Stew is a bald headed black guy wearing a black suit, red shirt and sneakers and plays a mean guitar. He is also the narrator, composer and Youth's alter ego. This is a must see. Here and here are some reviews.

RUN TO SEE IT!

Happy Gay Pride

Ok, in previous posts I've shared my opinion on doing away with theme months and I still stand by that. I think it makes more sense to just have a weekend or a day long celebration, if we must. So today is Gay Pride Day 2007. Last night I was reminiscing with my girlfriend about past pride events and we both agreed that back then we wanted to do everything and attend every party. That was then this is now - we are older and have less energy. So we are going to brunch with friends and head over to a local bar and watch the young people pretend that they are the only ones who are gay. I'll stay away from the more hardened victim types as they seem to come out in droves on this day.

Even though I'm opposed to theme months I will say this, it is nice to see thousands of gay people in one place. But there is a caveat to that - I prefer gay people with clothes on, the loving couple holding hands with smiles across their faces, older gays and lesbians with a sense of "pride," the sense of family that pride encourages. I don't like the mostly naked boys on trucks, angry lesbians, and transsexuals insinuating themselves in our struggle.

Happy Pride everyone.

Here, Here

I couldn't say it better. Maybe it was the right decision for Mayor Bloomberg to leave the Republican Party but he's making the wrong decisions when it comes to minority kids. The article penned by Nicole Gelinas is here.

Open the Gates - Part I

In 1970, my younger brother, my sister and I came to the U.S. It was our second trip to the U.S. but this time we were going to stay for good. We had been anticipating this trip for sometime and now that we were finally on American soil it was like we were in another time. I remember feeling almost alien when we walked out the big exit doors to a family member who had come to get us. As we were driving to our home I stared out the window in awe. I thought to myself, "I'm in America and things are going to be different." And it was different. I can still remember the first time I saw snow and I still remember the taste of my first slice of pizza. I was in America with my brother and sister, the three musketeers, and we would remain close for many years. One of the most important fact to our arrival on U.S. soil was that we were legal. Our "green card" said we were legal permanent residents. Our trip to the U.S. was on Air Jamaica. We were and continued to be legal residents until we raised our hands and renounced our allegiance to Jamaica and pledged to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States of America. Back then almost everyone knew the difference between legal and illegal but in 2007 the word illegal has taken on "legal" status.

I do not profess to be an expert on immigration issues but what I know to be true is that you don't reward someone who has broken the law. The most distressing part of the illegal immigration issue is when advocates for the law breakers say, "They are taking jobs Americans do not want and we are all immigrants." The latter statement is blatant canard that whoever utters those words should be ashamed of himself. Hear that President Bush? It's more like, the more unskilled labor you have the stiffer the competition becomes for those already here - thos legal low skilled workers. And these low skilled workers tend to be blacks and other Hispanics who happened to be natives. Yes, we are all immigrants but most of us did it legally. And to put a personal spin on it - my mother cleaned houses for rich white people. My sister cleaned houses for rich white people. My mother worked in hotels in Florida. So don't tell me about taking jobs that Americans do not want. Those of us who don't want to sit around on our backsides and collect money from the government seek out jobs such as these until we can get on our feet. My mom is retired and my sister has her Ph.D.

In 2004, Time Magazine in an article titled, Who Left the Door Open, stated that there were 4,000 illegals crossing the border everyday. And while they were doing that we were and are submitting to searches at the local airport. Our borders grow more porous, Hispanic men continue to congregate on local street corners, Hispanic men continue to get drunk and throw up on our streets, Hispanic women continue to drop their babies in our hospitals, and we have some states offering in-state college tuition for illegals. And now we have an immigration bill proposing that we make these miscreants U.S. Citizens. Are we out of our minds?

To be continued.

Money Talks

I love to read. I guess you could say that I am a voracious reader. I read everything and anything much to the chagrin of some of my friends and colleagues. I'm of the opinion that you really can't offer constructive criticism if you haven't read the document. Or better yet, reading everything I get my hands on, ok I don't read playboy, makes me a bit more knowledgeable. Correct? I also love school. Ok, I didn't always like it but I liked it more than my peers did. Much of this love for reading and school was influenced by my parents. For goodness sake my dad use to read the dictionary for fun. I learned how to work my first crossword puzzle at the urging of my dad. We all learned to appreciate the written word and the spoken word. I continue to love school and love to be in the classroom.

So what happened to the influence of parents? What happened to urging your kids to do well, go to school on time, read a book? Well it seems that once again parents are being absolved of their responsibilities and are now being offered money to do what they should do without encouragement from government or private organizations. Yes, we are now going to pay parents and our children to do the right thing. And of course the "experiement" is targeting black and Hispanic children and their parents. The mayor and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein seem to be enamored with economist and proffesor from Harvard, Ronald G. Fryer's idea of offering money to kids who do well on tests. He has now been named "chief equality officer." The question is, will he be paid for his role?

Here are a couple of reasons why I think this is a bad idea. First, you don't give money to people to do the right thing. How did being a responsible parent give way to the notion that in order for you to do the right thing you should be paid for it? If that were the case I should be a millionare by now just for going to to work on time. Second, you don't "influence behavior" (read be a good girl) by paying someone to behave. This is like Pavlov's dog experiement. Is there long time change other than at the sound of a bell he sits up and repeats the same behavior as before? Third, this idea reinforces the notion that blacks can only get ahead or at minimum, be able to be responsible citizens if and only if they receive help, i.e. affirmative action. In two years I would like to see the results of this bogus experiment. Here is the article in it's entirety.

Archie Bunker vs. Maude - All in the Family

I could watch this stuff all day long. Imagine Archie Bunker in 2007? Not only would the show be off the air but he would have to go into rehab.

And then there's Maude!

As I'm getting older I'm becoming more nostalgic. Remember this one?

John Edwards Feeling Pretty

This is just too funny for words.

Jim's Big Mistake

I recently attended a Pride event hosted by Mayor Mike Bloomberg. It is an annual event in honor of gay pride and usually brings out more than the pretty people of the gay community. There are people in attendance who really care about politics so you can actually have a decent conversation. This year's event, which is always held at Gracie Mansion, was held in a tent on the lawn and for good reason. The heavens opened while the mayor was speaking but everyone continued to have fun.

This year the plan was for a faux runway scene with yours truly as one of the models. This was done because the guest for the event was Tim Gunn of none other than Project Runway. It was a lot of fun and each "contestant" received a prize. I, believe it or not, received Jim McGreevey's book, The Confession. Of all the books to get and for me to get it is even funnier. Since I didn't buy the damn thing I may read it or I may just sell it on ebay. I cannot stand McGreevey and have written about my dislike on these pages in the past. So I'll just share this rather colorful commentary here.

Bush's War?

"The administration is relying too much on flawed information. These are documents found on the floor of burnt-out buildings, strewn all over the floor, and taken at face value and not being looked at by trained analysts."

"We warned that, 'Regardless of US postwar policy for Iraq, Iraqis would become alienated if not persuaded that their national and religious sensitivities, particularly their desire for self governance were part of the foundation for reconstruction. Iraqis would likely resort to obstruction, resistance and armed opposition if they perceived attempts to keep them dependent on the US and the West."

"Saddam and his search for African uranium had been based on questionable intelligence. The issue was not trivial-even if this bit of intelligence, his supposed attempts to obtain uranium suitable for enriching, known as 'yellowcake,' was far from solid information. The allegation was worthy of investigation. Based on what we found, however, it was not worthy of inclusion in a presidential speech."

"I wanted to convey that I thought it would be possible to declassify enough additional information-communications intercepts, satellite reconnaissance phots, sanitized human intelligence reports, and so forth-to help the public understand what we believed to be true. I told the president that strengthening the public presentation was a 'slam dunk,' a phrase that was later taken completely out of context and has haunted me ever since it first appeared in Bob Woodward's book Plan of Attack."

"As difficult as the problems in Iraq, Iran, and the Middle East might seem, they pale in comparision to the global challenge of terrorism. Terrorism is the stuff of everyday nightmares."

All of the above quotes are from George Tenet's book, featured to the left. It is a hefty book and requires a lot of time keeping all the players in the forefront of the reader's mind. The book was disturbing for several reasons but most importantly my fear that we still aren't doing enough to protect the US. I don't always appreciate the need to write a book after a resignation or a firing but I'm changing my thought processes as more books are written. After reading the book I still have many questions and am quite disturbed at what has been presented as to the war in Iraq. While I supported the war in Iraq I do believe now that more could have been learned about the kind of people we are fighting. I also believe that Saddam did have WMD's and one day president Bush will be vindicate. This I'm sure sounds naive at best to many reading this but so be it. I say that in light of my former statement on us not knowing who we are dealing with.

I'm not about to debate whether or not Tenet is telling the truth or not. I will, however, encourage people to read everything and anything and not be sucked in to the fallacy that the truth is only the truth when stated my a particular party or a particular person.

Diversity?

Years ago I was a member of the "Diversity" team at my job. I participated in the group for about two years and eventually left after I realized that they really didn't believe in diversity. The goal of the team, as I understood it, was to bring about an understanding of minorites by implementing programs, events etc. With this goal in mind, we set out to plan and execute programs that we thought were going to get people talking and ultimately change the "culture" of the institution. We brought in speakers, teachers brought their classes and our diversity officer was happy and the administration was happy. At the time, I believed that our students were engaging in important discussions on issues relevant to all people and through these discussions we could come to an understanding about one another without playing the race card, the gay card or any other card. It was about, from where I sat, adding to what they were already learning in the classroom. I was wrong.

While I argued for including some of our more tangible objectives, i.e. writings from a more varied group of writers, in the overall curriculum my team members were bent on organizing programs which ended up blaming whitey. The programs ended up as sermons and gave little in the way of give and take "discussions". They soon became monthly and yearly back slapping, resume building look at us diversity festivals. Everyone in the group was of the same ilk and everyone agreed that progress was a myth and gays needed a safe zone and blacks needed more people to feel their pain. I had left the team before attending a safe zone training.

My reason for leaving was simple, I had not bought into the myth that me and my kind hadn't made progress. I left because I questioned what whites were getting out of feeling sorry for our poor black students. I left because these programs weren't helping our students feel part of the conversation but rather they were being put upon to hold their opinions if they differed from the panel participants. I left because I felt guilty when a colleague said she felt intimidated when she attended a "diversity" class. She was afraid to ask a question for fear that she would come across as ignorant or worse yet, racist. I left because ulitmatley this is the goal of diversity programs - to make whites feel guilty and everyone with a different opinion shut up.

Unfortunately, there are many such groups in many schools throughout the US. And while I fully agree with "talking" about tough issues, diversity groups, diversity officers, multicultural groups do not accomplish this important task. And why don't they? Because these groups do not suffer "diversity" well. Ask any diversity director when was the last time they invited a Conservative to speak at their school and you will get a "what are you crazy" look. Ask when or if at their next panel discussion on gays if there was someone arguing against having half naked men gyrating on cars and trucks be eliminated from the annual pride parade. Ask them if we must celebrate Dr. King's birthday each year over fried chicken and waffles why we can't have a "student of color" speak at the podium who can actually make a speech without using black english. We should ask this and more of our diversity officers. Here is a similar take on the diversity gig.

Only in America

Ah, race wins out again. Give us your tired, your poor and your illegal immigrants. I predict that this case in Mamaroneck is just one of many that will be coming down the pike in the days and weeks to come. We have allowed illegal immigrants to spurn our laws and then reward them with $500,000 settlements and hiring sites. And what do we get? We get to tie the hands of our police and pretend that there is no difference between legal and illegal immigrants. Thanks.

Hail to The Sopranos

I don't know about you but last night's final episode of The Sopranos was a major disappointment. My expectattions of a series finale was realized in a slow moving boring episode whose sole great moment was when Phil got it in the head. But as this article points out David Chase succeeded in confounding his audience. I would have preferred a different ending bu alas that is not to be.

A Month of Pride

Well, I'm off to my first gay pride event as June is Gay Pride Month. I'm not a fan of "theme" months but this is more about politics than watching gay boys gyrate on top of moving vehicles. I'm of the opinion that you don't need a month to show your pride nor a month to salute my blackness, nor a month to celebrate my womanhood. I'm still waiting for illegal immigrant pride month. Can't wait for that one. In any event, as president of a Log Cabin Republican Chapter I try to attend some of these events because we get to educate gays and lesbians about Republican issues. Unfortunately, Bush hasn't always made that easy but we haven't been denied access to an event yet so I guess that's a good thing.

Next week we celebrate with Mayor Mike at Gracie Mansion. I'm sure I'll have something to report from that outing. Happy Gay Pride!

Money Makes the World go Around

"Money makes the world go around. That clinking clanking sound can make the world go 'round." And it can even encourage kids to do well on their tests. I'm sitting on the fence on this one. On my initial read of the article it offended every principle I have about encouraging kids to do well in school. And while no one, including me, has the definitive answer on how to accomplish this task I'm not sure I agree that handing out money for the best scores is the way to go about solving it. Dr. Frye is a well respected economist and so I guess I would have to hear his reasons for why this is a good idea. I guess I'll have to some read through his paper on this one.

If anyone cares to write in and give reasons why this maybe a good idea, I'm listening.

Ivan G. Barnes

I'm from a family of nine kids. Born and raised in Jamaica until the age of 10 I became an American citizen in 1984. My parents are not unique, nor rich, nor members of high society. My mother worked in a local hospital as a nurse's aid and my father, before his death, was retired for many years after working in the refernce library of the Gleaner, one of Jamaica's local newspapers.

As fathers day approaches, it makes sense to reflect on our fathers and their influence on us. As such, I'm posting below an article written by my sister Judith that will be picked up by a local paper in Atlanta, Georgia. The article gives a good account of how fathers can leave an imprint on their offspring.

My Father made me The Woman I am
Judith E. Barnes, Ph.D.

He was perhaps five feet eight inches tall; slim in build and possessing a booming voice that belied his thin stature. He was a man not lent to condoning silliness in the speech or behavior of others; not that he resisted the subtleties of telling a good joke or laughing at same being told by others. But sound reasoning, processing on the intellectual environs and bringing about healthy dialogue between others and he was surely at the core of his character.

As a child I saw him read the dictionary and he gloried in the spoken and written word; he was a master at repartee and could easily beguile a woman into thinking that she was the most beauteous creature that God had created. But as all humans can he was often lent to great anger especially when he felt his intelligence was being attacked or his authority as a husband and or as a father. My father Ivan G. Barnes never had any qualms in correcting adults with the use of his ample and eloquent vocabulary spun into almost poetic cadence and a voice that was sonorous in its power. With his children, all nine, he felt no timidity in employing his more than ample speech patterns in correcting their faux pas. Likewise, he had no issue with implementing the well-accepted rule of caning well advocated by the British system under which he and his off springs were born and raised.

It is almost an understatement to say that Ivan G. Barnes managed to include passion in whatever task he undertook and so when he bellowed vociferously at one of his children or his wife or someone else that he might be engaging in a heated debate with; it was clear, he meant every emotion and every word that was observed and heard. It is from that man that had had he lived; he would now be in his 91st year, that I learned how to be who I am today. It was he exhibited to me that I had value and even though I was a girl, the message was clear; read, read, read, think, think, and let no one defeat you in manipulating you because you cannot think things through. Some 15 years since his being divested of this earth, I glory in the legacy that he has left me for because of him I have never thought I was less because I am a female.

Make no mistake though my father Ivan G. Barnes had very strong and oftentimes negative opinions about women, their role and their behaviors. Most of those opinions I am sure was easily colored by the fact that his own mother though having sired only one child, never seemed able to muster much maternal love toward him. That fact which I saw as a child saddened me deeply because imperfect as he was, there was none better than he. The same message that he issued as if edicts to my brothers, he issued also to my sisters and myself; we were to be self-respecting, clean in our physical self, honest, honest and honest again. He taught us not to fear others but to respect authority. He told us that we were not better than others, but no man or woman was to dare garner the temerity to think that he or she could look down on us. We were financially poor most of my young days growing up with this man, but I never wanted for anything and my father made me acutely aware by example that if there was only food enough for us children, we would and could eat and he would go without. By the way his negative opinions about women were and are true and even as a woman I had to admit it then and I admit them now. But despite those opinions about women, he sorely loved them and never missed an opportunity to share in the niceties of a woman’s presence.

So today as I sit and think of him and his legacy to me, and I often think of him because he is so much apart of who I am, I am grateful that despite all my poor choices and the folly of my ways as I have matured; his teachings resonate throughout my being and I can easily continue to forgive the errors that he made as he fathered nine children doing it the only way he knew how. Certainly this man whom shortly before he died and was experiencing the beginnings of Alzheimer’s, continued to look only to the needs of his children and I saw him cry profusely at the last family reunion of which he was a part of as he spoke of how proud he was of us all. He never pursued education on a high level although had he done so he would have been listed among one of the great minds of his time. He never sought to travel away from the shores of Jamaica, and though it was sometimes suggested that he didn’t because he experienced bouts of cowardice, he was a champion as a father. He loved his children with the greatest fervor possible especially for one who never experienced great maternal or paternal love or devotion himself.

I thanked my father before he left this earth and I look forward to seeing him again when I go to where he now resides and I thank him today within these lines and on these pages for not having left me out of his lectures and his pronouncements about how I was to be and how I should live. I did not agree with all his edicts, but I respected him for taking the time to tell me them. I did not agree with all his ranting and raving, but I always even as a small child, knew that he felt pain that was only expressed when he shouted and so he needed to shout. I thank my earthly father today for having imbued in me a sense of self that today continues to lift me up and keep me buoyed to such a degree that along with my relationship with God, I am a force to be reckoned with; to some degree like he was. I thank my father that as I have reached forward for academic and vocational achievements, I have seen his face before me encouraging me to do more. And I thank my father that he never even suggested in the slightest that I could not achieve because I was a girl.

It was he that recommended me for my first full-time job as a 15 year old child; he believed in me you see and for that I will always thank my father. He had faith in me that I could do the job of an adult in a place so appropriate, the local newspaper company where he worked in the reference library. You see in the end and toward the waning days of his life he spent many hours amongst literary tomes and reference materials; and I worked at the tender age of 15 writing words, words that he so dearly loved and which I have grown to love so dearly because of the rich heritage that he leant over and whispered in my ears as I grew. Love it surely I would, if he would have been here to see me walk the carpet to receive my doctorial degree in counseling and to become ordained; for I know he would have felt pride in one that quite willingly carries his gene of humility no matter what I have achieved. I somehow suspect he sees me and knows what I am doing even right at this moment.

Even as a child I believed that one should as often as possible tell others of my love for them; I thank God that my father knew of my love and regard for him and as he so often communicated by mail after I moved to the States at 17 years old, I would frequently remind him that though he didn’t father me perfectly, he fathered me the best he knew how and that has made all the difference in my life!!!!

La vien Rose Trailer

Stephen Holden of The New York Times says, "Marion Cotillard's feral portrait of the French singer Edith Piaf as a captive wild animal hurling herself at the bars of her cage is the most astonishing immersion of one performer into the body and soul of another I have encountered in a film." This description is dead on and throbbing with realism. You cannot help being touched by this movie be it the music or the tragic life of Piaf. It is a must see. I can actually brag that I saw the movie on our flight back from Paris before it's NY debut this week unless it's a re-release. In any event, it's worth seeing the movie and eventually buying the DVD and Piaf's cd's.

Here We Go

The Senate passed the immigration bill today. More on this later. Of course I have a lot to say.

Fresh and New

As part of my 9 to 5 job I ocassionally interview candidates for open positions in my office. Depending on the opening, I look for the following: 1) experience; 2) work history; 3) longevity at previous positions; and 4) daily tasks and increased responsibilities. I also look at how well the cover letter is written and for an error free resume. This may sound strange to many but I'm often surprised when candidates submit cover letters and resumes with glaring typos and poor grammar usage. One would think that if you are looking for a job you would attempt to put your best foot forward, but not so for some. In any event, after sifting through resumes I decide on ones that best fits our needs. The final step in this arduous process is the interview at which time the candidate can make or break their opportunity for a job offer. Sometimes we hit a home run and hire a great candidate and sometimes we strike out and we end up severing ties with the candidate several months later.

Several months ago we went through an interview marathon and ended up with three candidates. One candidate blew me away on the interview by her energy, marketing experience, articulation of past and future involvement and her desire to continue to learn and grow. After much debate she was hired along with one other candidate. Several months later I'm sorry we hired her and felt that I was sold a bill of goods. The fresh and new perspective I had anticipated quickly vanished and the professionalism I gleaned from her resume was suspect. All in all, I wish we had gone with another candidate but now as the saying goes, we are stuck with her.

I relay this story because I think it necessary for all of us to look at the presidential elections as a job interview. We need to look at all of the things I presented above and more. What we cannot afford to do is to be caught up in mundane things like good looks, scripted speeches, faces that look like ours, and whether or not the face is fresh and new. Which leads me to Barak Obama. First let me say that I like Barak. If his resume were in front of me I would definitely call him in for an interview. Based on past experience, however, I would not buy into the things I presented above. I think voters need to hear more from the fresh new face other than "he gives us hope." I hope everyday that my cancer goes into remission, I hope that pedophiles will be eradicted from our society forever, I hope that poor people will have more to offer their children, I hope that Iran won't bomb us into eternity. I hope for a lot of things, it doesn't mean I can run the country.

The Honeymoon Goes On

As someone with cancer the story about the Georgia man with TB scares the living heck out of me. When you have a compromised immune system you pretty much live in fear of coming in contact with minor ailments such as a cold mcuh less something as threatening as TB. It seems to me, however, that there is blame to go around for everyone connected with this story but of course for me "individual" responsibility is paramount. It's scary to think that this guy flew all over the place before walking into a hospital. I guess the honeymoon must go on regardless of how many people you expose to a life threatening disease. Scary!

Rosie vs Elizabeth ALL IN ONE

Thanks for the birthday present Rosie.

Parlez-vous anglais?

Bonjour, Parlez - vous anglais? Oui! Boy were we happy for that response. My gf and I just returned from gay Parieee and we had a wonderful time. So, now you know the reason for my absence from blogging. This was my second trip to Europe and I think I have been bit by the travel bug. I just have to work on my fear of flying.

So, our trip was short enough to make us fall in love with Paris and long enough to miss home. We visited all the places that tourists visit and found a couple of out of the way places to have dinner. My gf took me to a wonderful restaurant for my birthday and it was magnificient. What a way to spend my birthday. I think we both gained 40lbs or more but it was all worth it. When all is said and done the French weren't so bad; just indifferent to everyone. One of the tings that I appreciated reading in our guide book was that the French are a quiet people and that was very evident even in restaurants. Of course, we got a glimse of the ugly American one morining while having breakfast in our hotel.

There were three American girls talking quite loudly and wouldn't quiet down even though we glared at them. We were very happy when they exited the dining room. We decided then and there that they were a perfect example of the label - the ugly American. But it seems like Americans have given up their monopoly on said phrase and thus this article was quite fortuitous. It seems that "ugly" applies to a lot of different people who travel to Europe and other places like New York City. Unfortunately I have to agree with the article as we encountered some but I won't say which group made me the craziest. Well as they say, ce la vie. I'll upload some of my favorite pics next time. Now, there is a lot for me to get to. See you on the funny pages.

No More Shame

I'm not sure but I guess it's normal for minorities to want role models. I don't like the word and have stayed away from essays or discussions where people keep insisting that I should have a role model. So, I'm not surprised that gay folks want their own role models and threaten to out them if they dare to live in the closet. In a recent article in Out magazine, Michael Musto's article The Glass Closet talks about gays we know are gay but continue to avoid the question. And I say, so what? Don't get me wrong, I would like it if Jody Foster came out but the fact that she she lives a quiet life makes her a role model to me. But I will offer this caveat, I am all for outing a closeted elected official whose votes scream anti-gay.

So, this brings me to the governor turned gay icon. I remember the day Jim McGreevey came out as a gay American. It was a Friday afternoon and I was in my car listening to talk radio when I happened to turn the dial to a news station. When he said the words I wanted to throw up in my car but thought it best not to mess up my clean car. I was furious and very disappointed in the back slapping that ensued shorthly thereafter that Governor McGreevey was one of us. I didn't welcome him with open arms then and I sure as hell don't now.

But, if I thought I had heard and seen it all before I'm once again surprised at McGreevey's arrogance and total disregard for anything moral. And unfortunately we live in a society where people like McGreevey is exempt from shame. He like many others are allowed to continue on a path that says it's ok to make a mockery of marriage vows, engage in indiscriminate sex in the backrooms of bookstores and lie to your constitutents while using their hard earned money by using state troopers to take you on trysts. But instead of holding McGreevey accountable for his horrid behavior we offer him a book deal, parade him on Oprah Winfrey where he talks about his "religion" and how hard it was to hide his orientation. And on top of it he wants custody of his daughter. Does anyone else see a problem here but me?

But the two most recent episodes in McGreevey's life are the real slap in the face of decent behavior. This article by Jonah Goldberg makes my point. It's an old article but it supports my point. And here is McGreevey getting paid for his pain as a gay American. I love the quote from Senator Lesniak, "He has a lot to offer. I wouldn't mind going to the class myself if I were a student." You gotta love it, McGreevey teaching ethics. But here is the real kicker folks. And who will he minster to, little boys? And we wonder why our society is so screwed up. So much for psychological tests.

Come Again?

Ok, I admit that I wasn't going to write about this but I can't help it. I can't help it because this is just another example of gross behavior with a result that screams to our kids, "Screw up but you can get a pass because of your wealth." There is no longer an opportunity to face the music there is just an opportunity to get more contracts and a party to welcome you home after serving your "punishment." I guess the new term, "overburdening" prevents the likes of Hilton to serve the necessary time in jail. Amazing!

Viva La Sarkozy!

It seems that conservative, Nicolas Sarkozy, won the election in France over the socialist, Segolene Royal. Sarkozy is considered the hard right conservative and has been accused of fomenting hate by calling young people bums. But at the end of the day, Royal "felt too much" and lost the women's vote to Sarkozy. But we will have to watch and see if change will happen in France because as writer Craig Smith tells us in this article, change may not be forthcoming even with a new president.

So Much for Rudy

Another feckless politician. This from a man who cheated on his wife. For shame Rudy. I think I'll mail him a pair of flip flops this weekend.

There Is a God

I knew today was going to be a good day when I heard the birds chirping and watched the bloom on the trees but this was the icing on the cake. Yahoooooooooooooooooooo!

Reparations Part I

Bring on the reparations! Dr. Leary has got to be kidding me. "People who let it slide suffer the damage. The hurt seeps through the epidermis and it breaks their hearts over and over again." Until blacks learn to discount how whites "feel" about them then and only then will they move forward and stop thinking in this vein. This is truly silly.

Akon in Trinidad Nightclub PICTURES

A reader writes, "Where is Sharpton?" I guess he would say this took place on the island of Trinidad so I can't comment. Hypocracy abounds.

A Time of Sorrow

My heart goes out to all the families and frends of all those who were killed on Monday in what now has been called the worse shooting in American history. I cannot begin to imagine the grief that these families must be experiencing right now. We all should take time to share in this sad time and more importantly allow the families the privacy they need at such a horrible time. I'm not a religious person but I do have a favorite prayer that I would like to share below.

The 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want,
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters,
He restoretyh my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake.

Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

Bingo!

Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! Mr. Whitlock is spot on with his assessment of this shameful debacle. Thank you sir.

akon-smack that

Where is the outrage? Where is Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? Why aren't they calling for people not to boycott this "artist?" Why is this guy number 1 on the Billboard's hip hop charts? And we are worried about Don Imus? Give me a break.

Not Your Typical Nappy Haired Negro

In case you haven't heard let me be the first to tell you that there are two sets of rules in our society: one for blacks and one for whites. The rules go something like this, when it comes to race blacks can say whatever they want because they are now and will forever be the downtrodden victims of a failed America. On the other hand are white folks who must be quiet because they are still the oppressors and unles they are acknowledging their guilt they have no credibility on race issues. However you cut it whites will never be able to say certain words, make jokes, nor will they be able to redeem themselves after making a stupid blunder. After several days it seems like Don Imus is another victim of this outrageous double standard.

When I was a little girl my family lived next door to a white family. The family was by Jamaican standards, rich. My brother and I became friends with the two kids and we played kids games and attended birthday parties. During the years that we lived next door I started to wish for soft curly hair like my friend Tanya. I also started to wish that my lips were thin like my friends next door. My nappy hair was a bone of contention for me until I had the opportunity to "perm" it. Years later people are paying thousands of dollars to make their lips look full and I get to have the last laugh.

I share this story to make a point and that point is that its not that Don Imus is a racist it's that he touched on something that is taboo in the black community. That "thing" is one of many things that we as blacks hate about ourselves. Having "nappy hair" is not a horrible thing but its horrible when a white person calls attention to it. Everything that we hate about ourselves is somehow intensified when a white person calls attention to it even though these same people laugh at nappy head jokes when told by the likes of Chris Rock, Sinbad or any other black comedian that may have used it as part of their material. But there is more to just making jokes about black hair its about breaking the agreed to rule that whites not speak negatively about the "chosen" people. If you do then you kiss your career goodbye regardless of your mea culpas.

So Don Imus made a stupid remark and he is not only suspended but he continues to be battered by the media, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and many blacks who thing whitey has gone too far. But some of the same people now standing on moral high ground have they themselves contributed to, engaged in and perpetuated some of the more vulgar and out right racist rants this country has witnessed in many years. The fact that these people are black is where the double standard becomes evident. The fact that Harry Belafonte can call former secretary of state Colin Powell and current secretary of state Condileeza Rice house niggers and no one call him on if is outrageous. The fact that Jesse Jackson can call Jews "hymies" and New York "hymie town" and get away with it without a peep from blacks is down right disgusting.

The fact that Andrew Young, former U.N. ambassador for the United States, can say that Jewish Korean and Arab merchants are "overcharging" blacks and who sell "stale bread and bad meat" to blacks without asking him to retract his statement is unjust. The fact that Julianne Malveaux can state, "I hope his wife feeds him lots of eggs and butter and he dies early like many black men do, of heart disease," without any push back from blacks is sickening. And to top it off she is rewarded with the post of president at Bennett College. I'm sure Dr. Malveaux will say that she "deserves" the post because she has served her people. Where is the outrage?

The bottom line here is simply this, black people can't have their cake and eat it too. If we are going to condemn Don Imus for what he said then we have to start doing the same to everyone regardless of race. And here are just a few: Miss Jones in the morning appears on Hot 97 a local hip hop station in New York. In some circles the station is known as "shot97" because of the gun fights outside the station. Let's see, Ms. Jones calls women bitches. She and her partners use the word nigger like its everyday language. She advocates violence against cops. And Al Sharpton has appeared on her show not asking for her to resign nor is he calling for demonstrations outside the building; Charles Barron, New York City councilman, advocating violence against white people without censor from the council; and Al Sharpton and I don't think I need do anything else but type his name.

So, do I think Don Imus should be fired? No way in hell. He has apologized profusely and we need to move on. And until evryone else that I mentioned above and others like them are called on the carpet then I say he should stay right where he is. But here is just some of what's happening as I write this. And here.

What is Wrong with this Woman?

Could someone please explain to me, like I'm a six year old, what's wrong with Ann Coulter? In this article from her web site Coulter proves to me that she is not only stupid but nasty. "This is truly a war in which we have absolutely no interest? What? The killing of humans beings is of no interest to the world community? Should we simply turn our backs on this dreadful march to death the way the world ignored the Holocust until everyone wised up? This woman really needs to shut the hell up.

What Next?

This article is so stupid it's funny. The best line has to be, "If you feel you might make a noise, please cover your mouth tightly with your hand." It's obvious that the folks in this Sacramento town has nothing better to do with their time. Aren't amusement parks about making noise? Too much.

Obama Mania

Let the fireworks begin. Obama is off and running and the flood gates are open. Who would have thunk it, especially Hillary, that he would have raised as much money as the senator from New York? Senator Clinton had no comment on Obama's fundraising. I bet a dollar that this will be the last time she keeps her mouth shut. Let the mud slinging begin.

No To Jamaica Part 2

In doing more research on homophobic attacks in Jamaica and other places in the Caribbean I realized that many of the articles dated as far back as 2001 and thought I wouldn't be making a cogent argument especially if things were "better" on the island. Unfortunately, I was wrong as you will read momentarily. So for the sake of research and establishing some kind of timeline, I will include most of those articles in this post. I want to fully drive home the point that these islands should not benefit from tourism dollars be the tourists gay or straight. For now, most of the articles are about Jamaica as it seems to be the most homophobic and brutal.

The articles I'm posting depicts the violence and hatred that these people have for other human beings. And I really don't care that homosexuality is illegal in Jamaica because none of the people in the articles were engaging in "homosexual acts" in public which is what the law outlines. In this article the chair of reggae studies at the University of West Indies in Kingston claims that dancehall has been misunderstood. She states, "Homophobia is one part of dancehall but you shouldn't reduce it to its homophobic lyrics." Excuse me? What should I reduce it to, playtime at the local jamboree? Be serious. When dancehall "artists" advocate KILLING gay people how can you not reduce it to its most basic forms? Leave it to the educators.

Here is another example of irrational behavior on the part of common folks who in some cases preach the word of God. When I was a young girl I was told over and over again that God loved "everyone." I now realize, according to "christians" that he loves you unless you are gay.

Here is yet another example of the rage that Jamaicans exert against gay people. When I was a child I heard the words but knew they didn't apply to me. I heard the word "battyman" used by strangers and family. It didn't occur to me that there was so much hatred on the island towards gay people and all I can say is, why would a gay person vacation there. I guess that's one of the questions being asked in this article. And just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water here comes another creature. Oh island in the sun...

Buju Banton - Murderer

Want more evidence not to go to Jamaica?

Buju Banton says

Dip in record sales helps ignorant dancehall artist see his ignorance and hate.

The Most Homophobic Place on Earth

While this story may have come out last year it is still worth noting here. And in an earlier post I presented a 2007 incident in Jamaica where a mob forced several gay men into hiding in a local pharmacy. Whether it's 2006 or 1996 Jamaica is not the place to go if you are gay or lesbian. And the way things are shaping up it seems like the Caribbean on a whole is not the place to vacation if you are gay or lesbian. So, starting today I will start a one woman campaign to ask gays and lesbians and our straight friends to stop spending their hard earned money on these islands.

As example of the hatred of gays on the islands here is a sample of lyrics by a reggae dancehall favorite Buju Banton. Some of the is repeated for emphasis.

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY IN JAMAICA!

Who Said Life Was Easy?

I was diagnosed with colon cancer on Friday, April 8, 2005. I don't plan on celebrating its anniversary on April 8, 2007 especially since my cancer has grown. After my three month check up, when I was expecting to hear good news, my oncologist told me and my partner that the damn thing had grown and so it was back to chemo. As I sat in the office of my oncologist I vacilated between jumping out the window and strangling him. I guess neither would have done me any good nor would send the cancer kicking and screaming from my body. As he started to describe a new protocol I tuned out and started to wonder if I would make it through a second time. Would I be able to go to Greece with my partner? Would I be able to see my precious niece grow up? Would I be able to dance at my wedding? Would I be able to... Our drive home was silent as we both succumbed to our own thoughts and fears.

In the last several weeks people like Elizabeth Edwards and Tony Snow have had a similar diagnosis to the chagrin of their families. As Andrew Sullivan notes here, cancer doesn't discriminate across party lines nor any other line. It is an insiduous disease that claims lives and souls. And while I don't plan on giving into this disease I do get angry and frustrated. In my first go round with this disease my partner purchased the book "It's Always Something," by Gilda Radner, and it helped me to put things into perspective. I didn't read this as a self help book but as a book written by someone who experienced the same journey. The book made me laugh and cry and boil over with anger. I guess it is time to re-read it. I also read Lance Armstrong's book, "It's Not About the Bike," years before I was diagnosed. I'm not one for heroes but if I were forced to give names it would have to be Gilda Radner and Lance Armstrong.