What's Your Excuse, Now?: October 2012

Friday, October 26, 2012

Somebody Told The Truth!!!


Bob Cesca said, "Republicans Filibuster Everything, Romney Blames Obama for Not Working With Congress" in an article for the Huffington Post. "From the very beginning, congressional Republicans fell into lockstep with Rush Limbaugh and the collective wish for the Obama presidency to fail. Limbaugh set the table several days before the inauguration."  Tell it like it is, Bob.  The Republicans simply will not work with the President and make that very clear. Seems like a lot of people have forgotten that.  We must remember that the far right consider themselves true Patriots looking out for Americans and their interests.  Evidently, they just support our Veterans in words only because their actions do not. Our Veterans are losing their lives for this country weekly if not daily.  These so called real Americans voted against H.R. 466 - Wounded Veteran Job Security Act, H.R. 1168 - Veterans Retraining Act, H.R. 1171 - Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization, H.R. 1293 - Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act, S.3457 - Veterans Jobs Corps Act, and S. 3816 - Creating American Jobs and Ending Offshoring Act.  Bills that the President wanted to pass.  So much for our Veterans.  The money these billionaires are contributing to the campaigns are enough to pay for them without costing the country any money.  Again, I wonder why so many people can't see through this hypocrisy.  Shameful!  November 6, 2012, will be here very shortly.  We must use common sense, people, vote wisely!  Here's an another opportunity to make history!


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Rest In Peace, Lenard Pinckney!

The funeral service for Mr. Lenard "Lee" Pinckney, 59, of 124 Bottlebrush Road, North, will be noon Thursday, October 25, 2012, at St. Peter A.M.E. Church, 954 Bull Swamp Road, North, with the presiding elder of the Wateree District, Rev. Barbara Chislom, officiating. Burial will follow in First Baptist Church Cemetery in St. Matthews. Mr. Lenard, who was the son of the late Mr. William and Mrs. Geneva Matthews Pinckney, passed away Friday, October 19, 2012. Survivors include his wife, Bernice "Bee" Pinckney, and son, Jermaine Leonard Pinckney.

Monday, October 15, 2012

In - William McDowell


We stand at your door, O Lord, in need of your grace and mercy!  Help us, O Lord, we don't have anyone else to turn to but You!  We smile on the outside, but no one knows but you, the suffering that is inside each of us!  Don't abandon us, Lord!  We need you now more than ever!

I Belong To You - William McDowell - Arise

Not Everyone Will Share Your Happy!


Many years ago, a friend of mine told me that she was engaged and showed me her ring that same day. She was extremely happy and excited while she showing it to me. I asked her if he loved her more than me. Oh, yeah, I failed to mention that I wanted more from her than just friendship. She knew how I felt but it was more important how she felt towards her fiancĂ©e. She shrugged it off and said, “Aren’t you happy for me?” In a way, I was but in another way, I accepted the fact that I lost the battle. I saw my friend being whisked away and no longer being a part of my life anymore. I wasn’t ready to immediately share her Happy. I saw my Happy being taken away. How selfish is that? They didn’t get married, but I wasn’t happy about it. I had gotten over the fact this man had made her happy and now she’s sad because of this guy. Instead of taking advantage of her vulnerability, I set out to become her best friend and she became mine. Over the years, we have shared our ups and downs and are able to talk about anything and everything that has happened in our lives with the sincerest trust and confidentiality. We are best friends and in any relationship that I may be involved in, it is important to me that I be honest enough to share that info with the new person. She shares my Happy. Let’s be clear we are not having an affair, we are on a level that transcends pettiness. When I told her about meeting the new woman in my life, even if it has only been three weeks, she shared my Happy. My new friend is secure with herself not to be concerned over small matters. We take things one day at a time and have been through our share of disappointments. It’s amazing that I got the opposite feelings from another female friend who started trashing men and simply being wrong with her accusations. Yet, she gave no sign to me that she wanted anything more than just being a friend. Even though, she never had the time to do anything with me, she was always too busy. It’s perplexing, but not everyone will want to share your Happy. This is life! We don’t know how we’ll react until we face adversity.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Lead Me - Sanctus Real




Sometimes we get caught up in this “busy” life chasing our dreams that we forget what is really important to us. There is nothing wrong striving to achieve our dreams, we all want a productive comfortable life, and we will sacrifice to get it. Sometimes we forget who is important to us on our way to reach those goals. The person facing us, now distrusts us, and we won’t back down because we’re feeling disrespected and misunderstood. Where did we go wrong? More importantly, what are we going to do about it? We loved them for a reason, we need it find it, grab it, and keep it. Is it worth it to lose the best thing you ever had?

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Why This Man?



Praying For Our President
Frederick Douglas
Can anyone man up and admit the truth?  Why is this current President of the United States disrespected so much?  Even past Presidents’ whose policies were the opposite of the majority weren’t treated this bad.  Is there an inherent emotion among some people that when threaten, resort to animosity and hostility towards anyone that doesn’t look like them? Can it be that racial tolerance extends only to those who follows, not lead?  This is the first time in the history of this country that a man of color, albeit biracial, was elected President among world leaders. Could Frederick Douglas be right when he said, Though the colored man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress. If he comes in ignorance, rags and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence. In one case he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to pride and provokes malice.” September 25, 1883.  It’s offensive to me when I hear that America is past racism just because a Black President was elected.  It is ignorant to believe that the caustic and divisive language used towards him is not just against his policies.  Some would have you believe that the national debt is the issue.  It’s apparent that no one is willing to tell the truth that “this guy” doesn’t belong here.  Colin Powell knew even when asked years ago to run that there is a section in our country that despises people of color and they yell the loudest.  Another Frederick Douglas quote was, "I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." Are we united to save the country or united to destroy the country at whose expense?  Who is willing to stand up and admit the truth?

Monday, October 8, 2012

Waited All My Life - Raul Midon



Many times we don't accept that special moment when it happens.  We look for something explosive and breath taking.  Both are short term effects that when wears off, was nothing like the initial reaction.  In other words, we fall for the wrappings but not the contents.  Beautiful things come in plain brown paper.  They come as they are and last a lifetime. The truly beautiful won't need the glitter and glitz to hide who they really are.  They have a spiritual connection that separates them from the charades that we are often times fooled by.  If we're lucky enough we will know the next time what we've been waiting for.  We've all had those moments when what we dreamed of or anticipated arrives only to discover its more than we ever expected and its makes us nervous and unsure, but the beauty is it reminds us our humanity and constant desire we all share to be loved and to be happy.  I am eternally grateful that we chose to share a moment with each other.

Two Weeks!!!

We made two weeks so far and no major glitches!  Thank you, Lord!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

The New Normal!!!


What is acceptable to one group of people can be unacceptable to another. Does this make them abnormal? If I thought on a different level about God and you thought on another level about Him, are we normal or abnormal? But if we had a revelation along the way that took us out of our old comfort zone and found peace in a new one, then we could agree that our different methods could yield the same results. We could both say that we reached a “New Normal.” A place now where we can learn to slow down and take life one day at time, enjoying each moment and appreciating the people around us and the time that we have with them. When you forgive, you lay the burden at God’s feet. Anger and bitterness are intangible but still heavy enough that you can feel. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Unforgiveness is baggage that affects all areas of our lives except the person you will not forgive. That person will go on while you stagnant and ignore the blessings that pass you by. I got the expression “New Normal” from a friend who experienced her share of rejections and hurts. But her spiritual relationship with God propelled her to a higher dimension that she learned to be patient and tolerant of others. Don’t misunderstand me, she will not put up with mess, yet she won’t be judgmental. One other thing, she will not be labeled, categorized, defined or stuck in anybody’s box. She knows what she wants and what it will take. Her goal is doing what is right in the sight of God. The “New Normal” is becoming a better person that will submit to the Will of God. The “New Normal” is treating all people with patience, respect and seeing that flicker of light (hope) that is in all of us. The “New Normal” is standing strong in the face of adversity and knowing that you are the conqueror. The “New Normal” will have many descriptions for each of us who are willing to step forward out of “what was” towards “what is.” That is being better men and women. I, for one, will stand beside her in this “New Normal.” “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6).

Monday, October 1, 2012

He Heals Me (Live) - India Arie & Idan Raichel



India is using her blessings wisely by sharing her God-given talents with the world. The comment below says it all. Real Love can make you feel that good. 
"I love this song.. When you find someone who you are willing to spend your life with & give all your love too, Keeping no walls up @ all, Someone you can trust with your heart & feelings, Someone who makes your heart beat even when your not around @ that moment but you can still feel the love from them more & more blowing over your heart... We have such a wonderful time when we're together... All he does is HEALS me... Thats Love & I am so thankful for him :~}"


Always Valuable!

            My wife and I visited Mother Bennett this past weekend.  At 102, she’s still feisty and quick-witted.  Her granddaughters have a...