Thursday, August 10, 2006
Today would have been a very hard day for me since I hate to fly. But I would have no problems in throwing away anything, except my medication, I was told to by authorities. This is not about immediate explanations it's about complying with authorities and getting to your next destination safely. Thank goodness it was thwarted.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
And She Is Still Complaining
I could not be a happier person today knowing that Cynthina McKinney went down in flames last night. 59% of the votes went to Hank Johnson. I think these numbers prove how dissatisfied the voters of Georgia are with Rep. McKinney. Even my sister helped vote her out of office. So thanks to her as well. I think her comments says it all and makes clear who is the more professional is of the two candidates. I'm sure everyone slept well last night. Congratulations to Hank Johnson.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
The Usual Retort...Blame It On The System
I could think of a harsher punishment than the 25 years to life imposed on this woman. My question is, where did she find the money to do her nails but not buy food for her kid? And the crap about not being taught about being a good parent. You don't need to be a parent to know that a child needs food. That is common sense not the copyright of parents.
If this is indeed true it's not only sad but sick. The sudden refrain from "Christians" that this war is a prelude to armagedon is reckless and disgusting. This war like any other war is not about about who believe in equality but about people with a hatred for the Jewish people. If this is lost on rabbi Levin then I suggest he consult his history in which 8 million Jews were killed because they were "different." remember your history Levin.
McKinney's Last Stand!
I really, really hope that Cynthia McKinney goes down in flames tonight. It will prove a very importan point - the time is over for race baiters and now is a good a time as any. And I hope her friends Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, both have endorsed her, will heed that message lound and clear. Of course, McKinney is already claiming that there are problems with the voting machines even though no problems have been reported to election officials. When she loses tonight she'll again blame it on Republican infiltration. I can't wait to blog about her loss tomorrow.
I don' think I could have said it any better than in this article. I cannot agree more with Mr. Cline's comments. There is a hypocracy on the part of those on the left that it makes me want to shout from every rooftop - when is this going to stop? There are two conclusions that I have come up with to explain this outlandish behavior and the first is thhis, the left loves to shy away from comments by the likes of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Spike Lee, Cynthia McKinney (more about her next) Maxine Waters, et al., because they are afraid that if they continue race baiting their their jobs are secure and if they don't then Afican Americans will have to do what other Americans do everyday - go about their daily lives and continue to contribute as do evey other American. And by the way, I hate the made up name African-American they same way I hate every other hypenated name. But more on that in another article.
The second and more overarching reason is this - white guilt. I posit that white guilt became evident shortly after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., when whites, along with blacks, felt that blacks couldn't do if for themselves anymore so they needed assistance in getting a leg up from gulity whites. Guilty whites saw their role as avenging the wrongs of not only white slave traders; continually leaving out the very important point that if it wern't for blacks helping to sell the slaves the slave trade may not have happened. Because of this "white guilt" they think they should dig their heels in and give into, or worse, stay silent when hateful, whiny, reparations begging comments are made by people who feel that something is owed to them. Nothing is owed to the black community other than respect. Nothing is owed to the black community for the ills of slavery other than to never let it happen again. The old canard that America owes blacks because they were brought here in chains is a bunch of crock.
What is owed to the blcak community is this - a demand that you fulfill the American dream of pulling themselves up by their bootstraps and make something of themselves. And no it doesn't mean being the next Michael Jordan. It means gaining a good education, without affirmative action, getting a good paying job and making a simple life your self. I don't see what else American can do.
The second and more overarching reason is this - white guilt. I posit that white guilt became evident shortly after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., when whites, along with blacks, felt that blacks couldn't do if for themselves anymore so they needed assistance in getting a leg up from gulity whites. Guilty whites saw their role as avenging the wrongs of not only white slave traders; continually leaving out the very important point that if it wern't for blacks helping to sell the slaves the slave trade may not have happened. Because of this "white guilt" they think they should dig their heels in and give into, or worse, stay silent when hateful, whiny, reparations begging comments are made by people who feel that something is owed to them. Nothing is owed to the black community other than respect. Nothing is owed to the black community for the ills of slavery other than to never let it happen again. The old canard that America owes blacks because they were brought here in chains is a bunch of crock.
What is owed to the blcak community is this - a demand that you fulfill the American dream of pulling themselves up by their bootstraps and make something of themselves. And no it doesn't mean being the next Michael Jordan. It means gaining a good education, without affirmative action, getting a good paying job and making a simple life your self. I don't see what else American can do.
Mea Culpa!
Mea culpa, mea culpa. Had to report to sick call yesterday so I apologize to those who read my blog and only received a feeble attempt at intelligent writing yesterday. Don't go away.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Why Not Hillary?
The fate of Joe Lieberman hangs in the balance as the hours to Tuesday's primary tick away. The New York Times reports here on Lieberman's last ditch effort to bring back voters by explaining his vote on the Irag war. Allow me to opine. First, in politics 101 we learn that in order to pass legislation you need both party's approval. But while a lot is being made of his vote, much more is being made of his friendly relationship with Bush. That, seems to be more of a problem for voters in Connecticut than what he has done as a senator. Second, while the article goes on to talk about other Democrats who voted for the war and the criticisms they face very little is said about whether or not Hillary Clinton will face a similar fate. Unfortunately, Ms. Clinton, will not face such a fate as she is safely ensconced in her senate seat. And why is that? Simple, Ms. Clinton, like her husband, regardless of their votes, get a pass each and every time. Yes they are citicised but very little comes of that criticism. Of course, Hillary is now trying to make up for her vote by her public flogging of Donald Rumsfeld. While I don't really care about either Democrat I want to point out the double standard when it comes to the Clintons.
Friday, August 04, 2006
To Havana And Back
I think the more important question now is, is there going to be a mass exodus of "free" Cubans to the city of Miami?
One Has To Wonder
I continue to be surprised at the levels at which people will stoop to get their point across. In every policital year it seems that people lose not only their minds but their sense of decency. While I have no problem with disagreeing on the issues I have a major problem with name calling, parodies etc., of the candidate and his/her views. When people resort to ad hominem attacks it almost makes you feel like you want to take a shower. This is a perfect example of the kind of nastiness that replaces intellectual discourse and civility. The worse part is Hamsher's hubris. And if that wasn't bad enough how about trashing an elected officials campaign office because he supports equality for "all" Americans.
Just the begining...
The issue of illegal immigration hit a high this year when protests and political debate hit the front pages of newspapers. The problem is a big one and affects just about every community in the United States. Debating the issue is important and necessary and a solution, while months away, is a necessary evil. Here is another example of it hitting home. Ball is trying to unseat the incumbent Willis Stephens.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
While this discussion is somewhat dated, it will surely become a front page issue as kids head back to school in September. As someone who has experience with high schoolers and college students I find the conversation on banning cellphones in public schools by Mayor Mike Bloomberg a necessary one. Putting aside the fact that cell phone use in public is way out of control, high schoolers and college students need to spend more time on study and less time on texting about American Idol or whatever else they text about. I would bet a dollar that its not about last nights science homework.
As is the norm, the idea of banning cell phones has met with ire and consternation by parents and some politicians. As usual, the number one canard presented is that kids need cell phones for safety reasons. While this is not completely irrational, considering the world we live in, the tendency to exaggerate this point is obvious. I have visited high schools where it takes the teacher roughly 10-12 minutes to quiet down the class and get them to start their work for the day. Allowing kids to have their cell phones in classrooms will only serve to exacerbate that problem. Why do we want to give teachers more non-educational activites to engage in on a daily basis? Common sense would dictate that we shouldn't add to their burden but who ever said common sense was common.
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As is the norm, the idea of banning cell phones has met with ire and consternation by parents and some politicians. As usual, the number one canard presented is that kids need cell phones for safety reasons. While this is not completely irrational, considering the world we live in, the tendency to exaggerate this point is obvious. I have visited high schools where it takes the teacher roughly 10-12 minutes to quiet down the class and get them to start their work for the day. Allowing kids to have their cell phones in classrooms will only serve to exacerbate that problem. Why do we want to give teachers more non-educational activites to engage in on a daily basis? Common sense would dictate that we shouldn't add to their burden but who ever said common sense was common.
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Back to School Part II
I still think that faculty and administrators have some responsibility in what goes on in the ivory towers of colleges/universities but Walter Williams make a valid argument. If this, "not one of the top 50 colleges and universities today requires American history for its graduates," isn't scary I don't know what is.
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Dead or Alive?
I like to think that exiles have the inside track to the governments they have escaped from. So why is it a surprise to exiled Cubans that Raul Castro hasn't been seen since the hand off of power? But more importantly, why are they surprised at not knowing if Fidel Castro is dead or alive?
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Naming or renaming...you decide
At 62, Billy Jean King is being honored today by the USTA as her name is added to Arthur Ashe's name or replacing his as the new name for the stadium in Queens, NY. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I have no qualms in naming something for King but the queasiness in my stomach, which is right more times than wrong, is telling me, I don't like this. Why couldn't the USTA find another stadium or building within the existing structure? Maybe I should get breakfast and to help with the queasiness.
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Get out of the wagon...
Ten years ago this August, Bill Clinton signed into law a bill that would require the states to push welfare recipients into jobs. The Democrats, as usual, attacked the law on grounds that it would end up hurting the worst among us - the poor. At the time, comments like those of Republican senator Phil Gramm, "get out of the wagon and help everybody else pull" rankled Democrats and their supporters. The comment, while a fair one, spurred Democrats and their supporters to speak against the bill. But by all accounts the "workfare" programs, as they were later called, have done better than had previously thought. So maybe Gramm and the Republicans had it right afterall.
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Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Back to School!
Its August and the tempatures are soaring. While many are thinking about relief there are those thinking about the "fall semester." Yes, back to school is on the minds of many including the stores where notebooks and baggy jeans go hand in hand. For those returning to college as sophmores or starting as freshmen it is important to keep in the mind the true role of an institution of higher learning.
No, its not simply about getting a degree and finding that great job. Its not about joining a fraternity or sorority. Its not about dating the captain of the football team. Its not even about playing on a Division 1 or 2 athletic team. Its not about intellectual stimulation and honing critical skills. Its not about learning and accepting individual responsibility. Its not about studying abroad and internship experience. Its not about experiencing those extra 30 pounds as a freshman. Its not about missing class and cramming for exams. Its not about making the deans list and being inducted into the honor society. Its not about the best roomate in the world or the worse roomate in the world. Its not about formulating your own opinion albeit different to your parents. Its not about realizing that there is a word called "NO." Its not about any of those things but all of those things.
Many forget these things as sophmores trudge back to school and parents heave foot lockers into SUV's. But sometimes even administrators and faculty members forget these things. But most importanly all parties forget that the most fundamental lesson to be learned in college is accepting responsibility for every and all actions. And this is so because parents demand that their kid was taught that lesson at home and administrators acquiesce because of numbers and the balance due. So kids assume the role of customer and threaten to take their money elsewhere if deals aren't met and grades aren't changed. They complain to higher ups and leave out the part about the missed class, the missed assignment, the hang over on a Wednesday morning. And the administration, fearing that their retention rate will be affected and reputation compromised, initiate a working committee to address the situation.
So, what lesson is learned and who learns the lesson? The lesson is that you can force a university/college to spend time running committee meetings and formulating the tenth new policy on handling complaints. And the person learning the lesson is the front end person relegated to attending "servicing the customer with a smile" workshops while the kid rests against the tree listening to his ipod.
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No, its not simply about getting a degree and finding that great job. Its not about joining a fraternity or sorority. Its not about dating the captain of the football team. Its not even about playing on a Division 1 or 2 athletic team. Its not about intellectual stimulation and honing critical skills. Its not about learning and accepting individual responsibility. Its not about studying abroad and internship experience. Its not about experiencing those extra 30 pounds as a freshman. Its not about missing class and cramming for exams. Its not about making the deans list and being inducted into the honor society. Its not about the best roomate in the world or the worse roomate in the world. Its not about formulating your own opinion albeit different to your parents. Its not about realizing that there is a word called "NO." Its not about any of those things but all of those things.
Many forget these things as sophmores trudge back to school and parents heave foot lockers into SUV's. But sometimes even administrators and faculty members forget these things. But most importanly all parties forget that the most fundamental lesson to be learned in college is accepting responsibility for every and all actions. And this is so because parents demand that their kid was taught that lesson at home and administrators acquiesce because of numbers and the balance due. So kids assume the role of customer and threaten to take their money elsewhere if deals aren't met and grades aren't changed. They complain to higher ups and leave out the part about the missed class, the missed assignment, the hang over on a Wednesday morning. And the administration, fearing that their retention rate will be affected and reputation compromised, initiate a working committee to address the situation.
So, what lesson is learned and who learns the lesson? The lesson is that you can force a university/college to spend time running committee meetings and formulating the tenth new policy on handling complaints. And the person learning the lesson is the front end person relegated to attending "servicing the customer with a smile" workshops while the kid rests against the tree listening to his ipod.
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Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Cynthia McKinney's Hype!
On August 8th, the 4th district in Georgia will have a run off between U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney and former Dekalb Commissioner Hank Johnson. They will have a run off because none of the three Democrats, McKinney, Johnson and John F. Coyne, III failed to get more than 50% of the vote in the primary. In the primary, held in July, McKinney received 47% to Johnson's 44% and Coyne's 8.5% A local tracking poll has Johnson leading McKinney at 49% to 34% I hope those numbers continue till the polls close on August 8th. So, why am I concerning myself with a congressional race in another state? Simple, Cynthia McKinney is typical of the so-called black leader who believes everything is about race.
In her fight to get back her congressional seat, McKinney defends her voting record by implying that she has been "effective" and because of this effectiveness Congress.org rated her highest on legislation. Which when you delve into the facts (tricky things those facts) the ranking was for the only member of the Georgia delegation to succesfully introduce legislation in 2005. In that ranking she came in 285 of 437. Not bad but not good enough. But if you look further, and you should look further, "the power rankings - which ranks on committee position and general influence, the same organization places McKinney at the bottom, at 408.
A current bill that caught my eye was HR4210 - Tupac Amaru Shakur Records Collection Act. The long and short of the bill is to "protect" the records of Tupac Shakur. The following is some of the language in the bill: "There is a compelling public interest in the life of Tupac Shakur because he was and remains a well-known public cultural figure." The bill was fashioned after a similar bill protecting the records of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. So, if that doesn't get Congress to move its butt I don't know what will because afterall Tupac and King are equals right. Because I know when you think of Dr. King's words you immediately think about Tupac. How about these words from Tupac: I came for the party to get naughty get my rocks on...Sneezin, but still I'm pleasin to all the slimmies...But I dont go nowhere without my jim hat...If I'm rappin, cause she's clappin. Yes, I can see how Tupac could run in the company of Dr. King.
Rep. McKinney is also the congresswoman who accused Capitol Hill police of racism. She is also the congresswoman who claimed that the Bush administration knew 9/11 was about to happen. She is also the congresswoman who made this speech in 2003 at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. The introduction is from her friend Michael Ruppert who shares in her conspiracy theories. If the above is not reason to not re-elect Rep. McKinney I hope the speech will do the job. Friends don't let a friends vote McKinney.
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In her fight to get back her congressional seat, McKinney defends her voting record by implying that she has been "effective" and because of this effectiveness Congress.org rated her highest on legislation. Which when you delve into the facts (tricky things those facts) the ranking was for the only member of the Georgia delegation to succesfully introduce legislation in 2005. In that ranking she came in 285 of 437. Not bad but not good enough. But if you look further, and you should look further, "the power rankings - which ranks on committee position and general influence, the same organization places McKinney at the bottom, at 408.
A current bill that caught my eye was HR4210 - Tupac Amaru Shakur Records Collection Act. The long and short of the bill is to "protect" the records of Tupac Shakur. The following is some of the language in the bill: "There is a compelling public interest in the life of Tupac Shakur because he was and remains a well-known public cultural figure." The bill was fashioned after a similar bill protecting the records of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. So, if that doesn't get Congress to move its butt I don't know what will because afterall Tupac and King are equals right. Because I know when you think of Dr. King's words you immediately think about Tupac. How about these words from Tupac: I came for the party to get naughty get my rocks on...Sneezin, but still I'm pleasin to all the slimmies...But I dont go nowhere without my jim hat...If I'm rappin, cause she's clappin. Yes, I can see how Tupac could run in the company of Dr. King.
Rep. McKinney is also the congresswoman who accused Capitol Hill police of racism. She is also the congresswoman who claimed that the Bush administration knew 9/11 was about to happen. She is also the congresswoman who made this speech in 2003 at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. The introduction is from her friend Michael Ruppert who shares in her conspiracy theories. If the above is not reason to not re-elect Rep. McKinney I hope the speech will do the job. Friends don't let a friends vote McKinney.
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