9/11/01 - 9/11/12 -11 Years!!!

Freedom Tower - April 17, 2012 - Photo by Mark Lennihan

Freedom Tower at Night - April 30, 2012 - Photo By Mark Lennihan

Nine-one-one is a date that permanently changed our way of life in America. It is another date that will live in infamy, just as December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.  Most of us remembered what we were doing on 9/11/01 and still could not believe what took place.  19 Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked 4 airplanes, two from American Airlines and two from United Airlines.  Two were flown into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center, one was flown into the Pentagon and the other crashed outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  Over Shanksville, the passengers fought back.  Forty lives were lost on that flight.  Heroes fought and died so that others would live.  Overall, almost 3,000 people died and as many families will forever be affected as the result of these terrorist actions.  So many men and women became heroes that day and should never be forgotten.  There are still first responders and others who are still dying and suffering from severe illnesses caused by the toxins.  I’m glad to see Congress pass the amendment to the Zadroga Act which expanded the list of cancers.  There is a lot of ill-will in this world but there are a lot more people who want to help others.  Remember, all of us are going through something, let’s try to be more understanding to each other.  Do something positive today to remember the victims and families of this tragic event.

Ain’t God Good?!!!!

You’ve heard that statement somewhere. You might have heard it in church, in the workplace, and around friends. I’ve even heard it around strangers. It stands for so many reasons but most of all it shows the appreciation of what God has done. “Ain’t God Good” just doesn’t mean how merciful and loving God is, it’s also about saving us from situations that we couldn’t get ourselves out of, even with the help of others! God stepped in when it appeared that there was no other hope. It is at that point we realize that we are not in control and our faith is rejuvenated when the impossible became possible. “Nothing is impossible to the Lord.” Once again, we recognize that miracles are taking place. We can say this statement because there are so many things to be grateful for. We forget the many blessings that we get because we take them for granted. The Apostle Paul went through many trials but he still recognized the love of God and his infinite mercy. He knew that it led his faith to become stronger and life closer to God. Know that this day, at an already appointed time, that when we are called home, that Our Lord, Jesus Christ, will be there. We all want to be ready because we don’t know when that time will come. Make a list of what you have and want. Now make a list of what you think the homeless, handicapped, incarcerated, and the terminally ill would want. I hope that you find how truly blessed that you are.

Michael Clarke Duncan, Rest In Peace!



Michael Clarke Duncan - 1957-2012 - 54 Years Old

There are many people that pass on from this life unnoticed and without any fame other than to the people and loved ones that are left behind.  We will all have to stand before the Judge when the time comes.  Not only are my prayers with the infamous, they are also with those that have left behind footprints in the hearts of many.  As I get older, I see that death does not discriminate from the old, young, gender, race, religion, politics, beauty, physical, and the powerful.  Please take a moment of silence for all of the unsung heroes, too!  We continue to pray for each other.

Truth Be Told!

Governor Mitt Romney said that President Obama let the American people down in during his nomination acceptance speech.  He vowed to move America past the President’s disappointments.  Do you really want to know who let America down?  Ask Congress, ask the Senate, and ask the Ultra-Conservative strategists who met the night of the President’s inauguration that plotted ways to make this a one-term president who failed.  We'll also disrespect him along the way.  They decided that they would attack in several areas to promote doubt and fear in the American people.  Ask Robert Draper who wrote “Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the US House of Representatives.”  He said the following people attended a meeting in the Caucus Room in DC:  Republican Reps. Eric Cantor (Va.), Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), Paul Ryan (Wis.), Pete Sessions (Texas), Jeb Hensarling (Texas), Pete Hoekstra (Mich.) and Dan Lungren (Calif.), along with Republican Sens. Jim DeMint (S.C.), Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Tom Coburn (Okla.), John Ensign (Nev.) and Bob Corker (Tenn.). The non-lawmakers present included Newt Gingrich, several years removed from his presidential campaign, and Frank Luntz, the long-time Republican wordsmith. Notably absent were Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) - who, Draper writes, had an acrimonious relationship with Luntz.  Recognize any of these pyramids of righteousness?  These guys are more patriotic than most and more Christian than all.  How hypocritical can these people be?  They thrived on the lie that the President is a Muslim but don’t mention that Mitt is a Mormon.  That’s literally been kept out of the news.   It’s better to just lie out right and see how many people will believe it.  If necessary, apologize later.  Somebody needs to tell the absolute truth!  If you don’t believe me, disagree.  McConnell and Boehner might not have been there, but I’m sure that they got the message.  McConnell has said that he will do his best to make this a one-term president.  Rush Limbaugh said, “I hope Obama fails.”  And Rush used his radio show to prove it, too.  Now the Governor, the Republican Presidential Nominee, wants America to succeed.  Reaganesques?  Reagan wouldn't be accepted by his own part the way they moved to the extreme right.  No compromising and no giving in to the opposition.  I don’t know if any of you have ever read my blogs or will ever read them.  I’ve been a moderate over 40 years and don’t care if you call me a RINO.  I do know who I am and the challenges that I face.  I have been called worse names but I’ve learned that people when they are angry and afraid they will strike out.  The regrets might come later.  There are those that enjoys feeding them that fear.  These are the people that are content with destruction and division.  I’m amazed at the path our country has taken since a Black President took the helm.  Well, if they turned on President Bush, what would you expect?

Dazzling, Deceiving, Distracting!!!



Paul Ryan



I'm surprised that someone from FOX News had this to say about Paul Ryan's speech.  This is what I call the cold, hard truth.  I hope she stays employed for showing what it really means to be fair and balanced.  We need more people from the media to be honest and truthful.

Jan Brewer

And to top it off, Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, who is always disrespectful of the President, accidentally endorsed Obama Wednesday evening in an interview with MSNBC.  Subconsciously, she might have a feeling for the man.  Isn't that what grade school kids do when they have a crush on someone?  Be mean to them?  What a mess!!!

Vote or Not Be Counted!

Most people minds are made up for who they will vote for.  There are still a few waiting for the untruths to settle and will make their choice in the voting booth.  During these conventions, I would like to hear some resolutions and real ideas instead of instilling fear. The world is still looking at us and remembers.  Flava Flav of Public Enemy is a hype man.  Why didn’t they get him at the convention? Oops, I forgot.  He’s not the right flavor.  In some states, we will see a change in voting laws to require a photo ID.  As you probably already now this was due to fraudulent voting in the past and to prevent the possibility of it in the future.  Even if there were no proven voting fraud in any states, these new restrictions fall most heavily on young, minority, and low-income voters, as well as on voters with disabilities. This wave of changes intends to affect the political terrain for the 2012 election.  I sure we all could take a guess at the reason for this dismemberment of particular groups.  I’ll help you.  Eliminate the fear of the black man taking the office of President! Disenfranchise the American voters.  After all, the GOP does speak up for the American people.  They just don’t listen.  They had 8 years to correct the wrongs but actually got us in deeper debt.  But that smoking gun was to eliminate the middle-class, anyway.  A hole was dug so deep that even if they had 12 years, it will still take more dirt to fill it.  And they are slinging dirt and people are believing it.  South Carolina used their voter fraud fears but the Election Commission found no evidence.  But the biggest fear and I do support this columnist on this possibility is the voting machines.  They could actually still the election.  Just because you finished voting before you call the poll attendant, double check.  Verify, verify, verify!  Then if you’re satisfied with making the right choice, leave in peace

Let Go Of The Past Hurts and Let God In For Future Blessings!

I’ve been self-incarcerated for almost 30 years.  It was a bad feeling being behind a self-imposed prison caused by my divorce. I had still harbored angry and bitter feelings toward my ex-wife.  I thought I had forgiven her but you can’t forgive someone if you stay angry with them.  You must forgive and forget!  I realized that my anger was misdirected and when we last talked, I called back to apologize for my rudeness.  I prayed to God to release this anger and bitterness.  I had a revelation that I wasn’t angry with my ex-wife, I was angry at where we should have been together!  The sad irony about all of this is I dwelled on where we both could have been instead of moving forward where I should have been.  I couldn’t successfully continue other relationships because I saw her in them and did not give anyone a chance for fear of being hurt.  Being unforgiving can cause you more harm than a disease.  Carrying baggage is more than a burden, it’s a handicap. It’s crippling.  The older the baggage, the worse the back will ache and the mind torment.  I let someone else deny my dreams while I sat back doing nothing about it.  We blame people for our own actions.  How pitiful and pathetic I am.  After this eye opening event, I realized that my purpose is in this life is not yet over and I am a better man for this.  I wanted to be in control and lost. I had to yield to God Who always remains in control.  There is a distinct difference between regret and anger.  I don’t regret ever being married to her, she is a wonderful woman.  We could not compromise on our differences.  Was it pride or individualism, I don’t know.  It was probably that and more.  But I do feel lighter mentally and ready for a new chapter in my life.  We all have struggles. Don’t be angry or jealous of someone else’s blessings.  We don’t know what they been through to get where they are.  The sun shines and the rain falls on the good and bad.  We should treat each other as we would like to be treated and keep God first and foremost in our lives.  Things don’t always go as we like but we can keep a positive attitude so that the next time it happens we can find a learning experience from it.  We have to let go and let God.

We Stayed Put!

Excerpt from A Part of Things:

I am clumsy and portly while she is graceful and agile. She is quick-witted and intelligent but I catch on after a few minutes. She is patient and kind while I’m the opposite. While she remains loving and caring, I have a long way to go to overcome my selfishness and pride. She is Black and I am White. She is the opposite in all things except two important similarities. We both believe in God and trust in Him. Maybe that’s why I care so deeply about her. I don’t know about her political affiliation, it was never discussed. We are both military veterans, she from the Navy and me from the Air Force, we teased each other about that a lot.

I was concerned about how interracial dating would affect us and our friends. But it was more important, to me, how we respected and trusted God. I believe if we keep Him first and foremost in our lives, we’ll be able to survive the storms that will come because of our differences. The stares and the nasty remarks will come and it was hard not to react in kind. Portia’s attitude did not seem to let it bother her. She would still smile, make jokes, hold hands, and reassure me of her love. I loved her, too. My problem is falling in love too easily. I read the signs wrong and then I’m broken when love isn’t reciprocated.

Portia made sure I ate the right foods and exercised. She said she wanted me around as long God would keep me and that there was need for me to rush. I didn’t know how to take this kind of affection. I felt that after my divorce if given a second chance I would live differently. Portia has two great kids from her previous marriage, an eighteen year old young lady and a fourteen year old future NFL/CPA superstar. She worries about those children more than anything. I respect her so much for that. All mothers want only the best for their children.

Another problem I have is we work together and I don’t want her embarrassed or harassed by our co-workers. It might be the 21st century but people really haven’t progressed enough to accept interracial relationships. I know, I was like them until the past two years, when my best friend married a black woman. I always believed that you don’t have to go outside your race to find love. Now here I am feeling Portia. I got issues.

But none of these issues matter. They are not real. They are products of my imagination. I know that this can’t happen because I’m really stuck in my old ways. We stayed put. Portia will never know my feelings about her. I just wondered what would make my life different.

A Part of Things ©

Tonight – John Legend ft. Ludacris!!

Lately - Anita Baker

We tend to forget the simple things.  Maybe we really didn't love each other as much as we thought we did.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over!

DUI Fatalities at the State Capital, Columbia, SC, August 16, 2012

We hear, read, and see almost everyday about DUI-related collisions and deaths.  Some of the victims we might know personally.  We know it’s wrong to drive under the influence but some of us still do.  I don’t need to provide statistics or links to web sites to support the problems we are having on our highways.  All of us want to make it from point A to point B safely and return home safely.  We all want our family and friends and the people we love to come back home safe.  A nationwide crackdown is going on.  Help law enforcement get these offenders off the road.  Call them in, get tag numbers, vehicle descriptions, but don’t endanger yourself.  There’s enough danger on our roadways as it is.  So, please take a proactive approach by not getting behind the wheel driving.  Stay at home, get a designated driver who doesn’t drink, or get a taxi if you know you’re going to have a “couple of drinks.”  The penalties will cost a lot more than the drinks. Remember there’s someone that loves you and wants the best for you.

Dealing With The Moments!

Remember a baby’s very first steps and first words, a loving first glance and first stolen kiss, a faint scent of perfume and a song that reminded you of someone special? Did those moments and events make an impact in your life? Did you see the significance? If you didn’t think they were important to you, someone else did. Some actions remain constant even if others completed them. All events will be important to some one.

We may not all feel important and question if our lives are meaningless because we didn’t leave a legacy for others to admire or respect. Well, living isn’t existing, it’s doing something that will affect positively the lives of those that you cross paths with. We all have a purpose and most of the time we don’t know what it is. And if we think we do know it, we still doubt that it would serve any importance anyway. We make life complicated and take our dissatisfaction out on the people that are close to us.

But our purpose doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be a simple thank you to the cashier that’s been on her feet all day and just had a customer take their bad day out on them. It could be that waiter that’s working their way through school or taking a job to support their family and could use a kind voice and tip. It could be just saying something nice to a co-worker and neighbor. We don’t know the struggles that others are going through, we only see ours. Their lives are important and significant, too. Somewhere along our journey, we got numb to village living. We think we no longer need anyone to help us unless they are of some necessary value to us. Our values are misplaced, let’s pray to God that it’s not too late. Too many good people have crossed our paths and helped us along our journey and we took them for granted. Let’s not lose anymore.

Definition of SIGNIFICANCE   (Merriam-Webster)

1.  a : something that is conveyed as a meaning often obscurely or indirectly
     b : the quality of conveying or implying
2.  a : the quality of being important : moment
     b : the quality of being statistically significant

Healthcare Will Raise The Cost of Papa John’s Pizza!!!

I have to talk about this for jus a minute because this, to me, doesn’t make sense of so many levels.  “The National Restaurant Association pointed out following the health care law's Supreme Court approval that it may adversely affect restaurants’ ability to maintain already slim profit margins because it requires companies of more than 50 employees to provide affordable health insurance.” “Already slim profit margins?” Duh, people are really trying to eat healthy and are we sure pizzas are that healthy?  Several reasons could be behind the slim profit margins.  Maybe people don’t have the extra money to splurge on pizzas.  Could be a lot of people aren’t working who usually buy pizzas.  The costs of ingredients are going up because of the bad weather affecting crops and now being passed to the consumers.  People could just be tired of being overweight and obese and staying away from these kinds of food.  Quite possibly, DiGiorno’s pizza is a lot less inexpensive.  Papa John's CEO, John Schnatter says, “That Obamacare will result in a $0.11 to $0.14 price increase per pizza or $0.15 to $0.20 cents per order.”  I wonder if he’s really resenting having all of his employees on healthcare?  The Affordable Care Act only requires employers to offer health insurance to full-time employees, almost 90 percent of whom at large businesses like Papa John's corporate offices are already covered, according to a Treasury Department official.  Then, maybe John Schantter has other issues with President.  I don’t know, just saying.

Too Much Secrecy, No Transparency!!

What’s good for the gander is good for the goose! If I demand to see your birth certificate over and over again and you can’t show me your tax returns, why ask for fairness. Mitt Romney & associates, one of them Donald Trump and the Fox News, repeatedly question the President’s birth certificate. They hounded him on no showing it. He showed the short form but that wasn’t good enough. They hounded him even more. He showed them the long form but they didn’t believe it. The birthers are still hung up on it. That is only one example of many. Now, that Harry Reid is grilling Mitt about not paying his tax returns, Harry is being called out. I don’t care about how much he’s worth, that’s his business but if you treat another public official, especially the President of the United States with disrespect, why are you crying because you’re not getting respect, either. The life of a public official is an open book so what’s wrong with Mitt not opening his? Now there seems to be another questionable entry in the Governor’s ledger. Why did His staff spend nearly $100,000 to replace computers in state funds at the end of his term as Governor of Massachusetts? Reuters has learned that this was an unprecedented effort to keep records secret. Republican and Democratic opponents of Romney say the scrubbing of emails - and a claim by Romney that paper records of his governorship are not subject to public disclosure - hinder efforts to assess his performance as a politician and elected official. It’s odd that the Massachusetts' healthcare law was a model for Obama's nationwide healthcare program. As a presidential candidate, however, Romney has criticized Obama's plan as an overreach by the federal government. “Theresa Dolan, former director of administration for the governor's office, told Reuters that Romney's efforts to control or wipe out records from his governorship were unprecedented. Dolan said that in her 23 years as an aide to successive governors "no one had ever inquired about, or expressed the desire" to purchase their computer hard drives before Romney's tenure.” I wonder if our Governor Haley learned that from him.  I don’t agree with all of the President’s policies but I will still give him the respect due. Like I said before, this is going to be a nasty campaign.

America's New Heroine!

Gabrielle (Little Flying Squirrel) Douglas

The pictures say it all!

Gabrielle Douglas: Raising an Olympian

This is what America is all about!  We only hear about the negatives but there's a lot more to us than some folks would have you to believe!  There are brothers and sisters coming together for the better good.  If we took the time to know each other and treat each other with respect, who knows how far this country can really go?  I love this story!  Mothers across the miles showing that they are all the same!  God bless America!  I know that I sound a little over the top on this but we can't do this "life" thing by ourselves.  Indeed, we could not "build" anything by ourselves.  We have people along the way to encourage, support, and uplift us.  We all should be proud!  Now if we can get Congress and Washington to get their act together, we could win more than just gold!

No Rhyme No Reason – George Duke

What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life - Maysa

Flower Girl - Maysa featuring Dwele

Slowly But Surely – Walter Beasley

I'm in a jazz mood!  It's a hectic world and we need some relaxation time for ourselves.

On My Mind – Brian Culbertson

Hold On Tight – Boney James

Sensuality – Brian Culbertson

God Will Pay!!!

I know that this is a very vague and ambiguous statement.  It can be taken in so many ways and could only be interpreted by the reader.  We all have our beliefs and opinions so use what comes to mind.  I’ll start it off until I figure out myself what I am trying to say.  So if this blog sounds random and loose, that’s just the way it is.  God will pay is the subject.  I will start off with one example.  You loan a trusted friend some cash that had an emergency or a financial problem.  You do this because you believe in this person.  They really needed the help and promised that you’ll get your money back.  Just about every time that they see you, they remind you that they haven’t forgotten to pay you back.  Something happens and now you don’t seem to see them or talk to them as much.  It could be a well-designed argument, sickness, relocation, excuses, amnesia, or something like that to cause the sudden detachment.  Deep inside, you know that this person that you trusted had no intention of ever making a payment or paying back your loan.  You worked hard for that money.  It could have been used for a down-payment, for a rainy day, or for your own emergency situation, but instead you helped a friend.  You can chalk that up as a loss because out-of-sight means out-of-mind. And in this case, you find out that ultimately, that was not a trusted friend but a very sophisticated con-artist.  Another example is revenge.  I’ll get you back somehow because I didn’t appreciate the way you treated me or someone I care about.  I’ll wait for an opportunity and I will do what is necessary to make you pay for the offense.  I’m not going to forget and I will not forgive.  That kind of judgment sounds as hypocritical as the first example being distrustful.  As a “Christian”, I know that these things are wrong but my doubt and loss in faith isn’t helping me to be Christian like.  Now what kind of example am I showing?  Christ paid the ultimate price for us.  How much suffering and tribulation did He bear for us?  Despite how we doubted Him, distrusted Him, and even hated Him, He still forgave us.  Another example and you can use many more.  We reap what we sow.   Let’s not fool ourselves because we definitely can’t fool God.  We are only influenced negatively because we let those things bad for us, obsess us.  If you think negative, you will become negative.   We must sow good seeds.  We become who we are by the way we act and who will pay for it?   For every mean action we show towards our fellow man, God pays with His Blood. Whenever we neglect the widows, prisoners, children and the underprivileged, God pays for it with His Tears.  When we treat each other the way we want to be treated and put God first in our lives, He pays for it with His Divine Love.  We must accept responsibility for our actions because one day we will have to stand in judgment for them.  A selfish spirit will rob us of all blessings and an unforgiving spirit will block it.  If we bless others, God will pay by blessing us on earth and more importantly, in heaven.   Do the right thing even if others don’t respect you for it.

SC Highway Patrol Unveils Fallen Heroes Monument!

The South Carolina Highway Patrol unveiled a granite monument Friday, July 27, 2012, with the names of the 50 troopers who have given their lives in the line of duty throughout the Patrol’s 82-year history. The first trooper was killed in 1931. The monument was placed on the grounds of the SC Department of Public Safety at its Blythewood Headquarters.  “This monument is a tangible and permanent reminder that your loved one’s sacrifice was not in vain and will never be forgotten,” Col. Mike Oliver, commander of the Highway Patrol told the families. “Everyone who walks onto these grounds will be reminded that to live in a safe and secure society, a price has been paid. These 50 names encompass what it means to give yourself to the greater good in our society. These 50 troopers are heroes to the state of South Carolina and beyond.”  The fundraising for the monument began in 2010 with the Fallen Trooper Memorial Run spearheaded by Cpl. Bob Beres of Charleston. More than $35,000 was raised by a 24-hour event at the Charleston Southern University track where people walked/ran in honor of troopers who have lost their lives through the years serving the state.  “DPS employees often hear me talk about the concept of teamwork. I strongly believe that this common vision is at the foundation of all great organizations. The dedication of this monument today captures the very essence of that teamwork in action,” said SCDPS Director Leroy Smith, at the ceremony. “It is because of the commitment, hard work, and sacrifice of so many that we gather here. Today, we honor our heroes. Some of them gave their lives during a traffic stop. Some of them lost their lives by a cold-blooded act. All of them deserve this fitting tribute.”

Strengthening My Relationship With God

I’ve been working on developing my relationship with God for years.  If I hadn’t, I don’t believe that I would have been able to cope with my mother’s transition from this world to the next and other heartbreaks that happened in my life.  I accept the fact that there are many people out here that do not even believe in God and some that have very little faith in Him.  I understand how some might feel that a good God would not allow bad things to happen, at least, to good people.  I can’t question that and I know that there is no one capable of predicting God’s ways.  (Isaiah 55:8-9). Developing a relationship with God is hard enough because the devil wants you think worldly, in the now.  He wants you to concentrate how people feel about you and what you need to do to impress them.  It’s not really complicated because we’re easily tempted and tricked.  We fall for materialism and great lifestyles without realizing that there is are hidden costs.  We’re only human, we just want nice things and to be accepted by others.  We get caught up looking for that elusive peace and satisfaction for fulfillment.  We were duped into thinking that it made us happy.  But we were never full, we wanted more.  I personally felt an emptiness, so I tried filling it with the wrong things.  They weren’t worth it.  I forgot that God has a purpose for me but in order to achieve it I would have to align my will with God’s Will.  I wasn’t strong enough and still am very weak dealing with the struggles of living.  That’s why I need to strengthen my relationship.  (Ephesians 6:12).  Doing the right thing is not easy and in some situations, it’s frowned upon.  I’m trying to get stronger by not only praying in the morning, during the day and at night, but also reading more inspirational materials, esp., the Word.  I’m still chained to my desires.  My mind goes into the what-if mode and now I’m thinking things that I shouldn’t.  Recently, I’ve started turning my radio off when I drive to work to have quiet time with the Lord.  It’s usually a twenty minute ride.  I start off okay, but after a few minutes dealing with the traffic, my focus is off my quiet time with God, and now on some of these nutty drivers.  That’s a book in itself discussing how people drive, but that’s not the point.  My point is this, the closer I want to be in God’s presence, the harder it gets.  I get to a point that I don’t think I’m worthy of His Divine love and mercy.  Some people know what I’m talking about.  If it wasn’t for His grace and mercy, I don’t know where I’ll be now.  Yet, I fall down struggling to get out of these chains.  I can see why God calls us all His children.  We act like kids.  One big problem is that when we become adults, we lose our trust in our protectors.  By getting back to God, I hope to find my trust.

9 Year Reigns Terror in Daycare!

Parents, know where you are sending your little ones for protection and care while you are away working.  Know who are responsible for your precious heartbeats.  This daycare did have a video otherwise no one would know what's going on.  It's not wrong to invest on a discreet video system if your present daycare is not willing to work with you.  If they are not willing to work with you and their practices are already questionable, why are you dealing with them?  We don't know how these babies will be affected mentally, let's pray that time will allow them to forget.

Rest In Peace, Sally Ride!!

May 26, 1951 – July 23, 2012 – 61

1^st American woman to enter space as an astronaut and physicist.

Rest In Peace, George Jefferson!!

Sherman Hemsley – February 1, 1938 – July 24, 2012 - 74

Rest In Peace, Miss Sylvia!!

Sylvia Woods - February 2, 1926 – July 19, 2012 - 86

Down & Dirty Election Year!

People, I’m not good at predictions so I will say this. This election year has the potential to be very bitter & nasty. The proof is already evident. Job killer, be-American, not-Amerian, liars, felon, and other names are just a few uncivil terms being used. It doesn’t matter if an apology is offered, the seeds were planted.  Do whatever it takes to distract people away from the main focus of this campaign.  Opponents can point out the problems with leadership but can’t offer any solutions.  You hear quite a few nasty things that are said about this particular President because too many people say these same things behind closed doors.  Minorities are supposed to know their place, correct?  No need to say that this is the worse election ever because each time they get worse. I still say that one of the primary reasons that the past presidential election and this one has brought out the worse in our leaders. I wonder if it is because there is a black man running for the highest position in the country/world, the President of the United States. Say what you will, first of all, no one took it serious that this man was going to win. Secondly, since he did win, the politicians didn’t want to compromise for the good of all Americans. They would rather block what he does to help middle-class Americans and protect the super-rich, job creators. At least, if they denounce and reject him there won’t be a second term. The money behind these selfish people is controlling them. The money is extremely deep and SCOTUS has passed the law that there is a no limit on corporate campaign spending. Our elected officials are bought and paid for.  Safeguards against politicians taking undisclosed payments in exchange for peddling particular interests are now in place.  Did I mean “peddling particular interests”, you figure it out.  Millions of dollars are pouring in on these campaigns.  If  it's that much money out here why aren't they using the money for creating jobs or using it constructively to help those that need help?   It’s remarkable to me how people believe that if it took years to gain weight, they expect to lose that same weight in a few days or months. It doesn’t work that way. The economy took years to get into this hole and it will take years to get out of it. President Bush didn’t put the wars on the books but President Obama did to include it in the national debt. Now he is the villain, because the country is in so much debt. What’s wrong with this picture? How can he do his job when these politicians won’t budge? How much money did the ultras cost the taxpayers repealing the ACA? Was that mentioned on conservative media platforms?

Five Obamacare Myths

This is a link to the New York Times regarding the myths of the Affordable Care Act that was recently upheld.  The article is written by Bill Keller, a columnist, who seems to have an objective perspecitive of the President's Health Act for all.

Five Obamacare Myths

What Do We Care About?

The southern Democrats were the party of slavery and, later, segregation. It was former Governor George Wallace, who stood in the southern schoolhouse door to block desegregation! The vast majority of Congressional GOP voted for the Civil Rights of 1964-65. A large majority of those opposed were southern Democrats. Southern Democrats led to infamous filibuster of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In 1972, Wallace was shot and paralyzed, and Nixon began to tilt the south to the GOP. The old guard Democrats began to fade away while a new generation of Southern politicians became Republicans. The GOP was for local and small government. Southerners wanted less government and the GOP seemed to be a natural fit.

The Dixiecrat platform quoted the 1840 Democratic platform, which was the platform of the great Democratic President Martin Van Buren. President, Van Buren faithfully followed the Constitution, so his platform was fewer than 1,000 words long. But was an especially valuable guide for constitutionalists. The part quoted by the Dixiecrats resolved: That Congress has no power under the constitution, to interfere with or control the domestic institutions of the several states; and such states are the sole and proper judges of everything pertaining to their own affairs, not prohibited by the constitution…. The 1840 platform went on to warn, that Abolitionism would endanger the Union. As a result of the Civil War, the Constitution was changed, and the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments were added. From the late 1870s onward, the equal-protection clause and the prohibition of racial discrimination in voting were nullified in much of America. In seeking to enforce the Constitution, President Truman was following in the footsteps of constitutionalist President Van Buren. The Dixiecrats made sure not to quote another paragraph of the 1840 platform: that every citizen and every section of the country has a right to demand and insist upon an equality of rights and privileges, and to complete and ample protection of persons and property from domestic violence or foreign aggression. That statement is the principle on which the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments are based. States' rights were not a legitimate constitutional basis for states to violate the constitutional rights of their citizens.

States’ rights refer to maintaining political powers and opposed to federal government mandates. Did people benefit from unions? Would racial equality ever be accepted? Would civil rights be constitutional? Can it be said that the Dixiecrats left the Democratic Party to join the Republican Party? That remains to be further discussed. Too many people have sacrificed for the good of all.  Yet, we think that we have "arrived" by our own means.  Greed and power are now in the hands of a few that govern. And those that are in power are bought and paid for. Those that have will never get, and that those that do, will not give, at least, not in this world. Having money is not a problem, the love of money and not helping those that are helpless, is.  We must remain vigilant!  Too many wolves are misleading the sheep and we are very forgetful.

Happy Fourth of July!!!

The resolution of independence was approved on July 2, 1776 and signed on July 4, 1776!

The Declaration of Independence!!!

WHEN IN the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good ….
He has refused to pass …. Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences ….

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people….

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Gladys Knight – I Hope You Dance!

Let's stay positive!!!

Justices Uphold Obama Health Law!

Wow!  Did They Get This Wrong!!!

Congratulations, Miami Heat, NBA Champions!!!

The Heat in their final, home game, scored 121 points vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, 106 in the 4^th game.  The Thunder won one game in OKC!  The Thunder played their hearts out.  It didn’t matter, the Heat, especially, LeBron and company were on a mission and they were not to be denied.  Whether you like LeBron or not, respect a champion and respect his teammates that came to play ball!!!  It was a good year for both teams and they all grew from it.

Deacon Blues - Steely Dan

In The Presence of Jehovah - Vicki Yohe

I'm At Peace - Vicki Yohe

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole

Anything Goes in Race and Politics!



Where Do We Go From Here?



President George H. W. Bush & Lee Atwater

After reading, When It Comes to Politics, Are We More Racist Than We Think? by Lylah M. Alphonse, Senior Editor at Yahoo, I wanted to know more that were behind these hateful feelings some parts of the nation felt.

I disagree with some of the President’s policies, too, no different than other previous presidents. But, I have never seen such bitterness and disrespect toward any of them until now. Jimmy Carter was never regarded as a good President but he was respected. I didn’t see the Klan chomp at the bit over JFK, but rationally thinking, I don’t think any of us have ever seen such a display of negativity toward this African-American. Despite being bi-racial, it is a fact that you are treated by your color. You can’t pass for white if you’re too black.

From the story, “The state with the highest racially charged search rate was West Virginia, where 41 percent of voters chose Keith Judd, a white man who is also a convicted felon currently in prison in Texas, over Obama just this May. Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, Alabama, and New Jersey rounded out the top 10 most-racist areas, according to the search queries used.

The 10 states with the fewest racially charged searches were Utah, Hawaii, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, Washington DC, Minnesota, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming.”

I wanted to go back to when many of the political fears began. No, I’m leaving the Civil War and Post-Construction, Jim Crow and Civil Rights eras out. I want to start when the nationwide media got involved during elections and the principals that will do whatever it takes to win, even if it means destroying the country.

On October 26, 1974, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Willie Horton and two accomplices robbed Joseph Fournier, a 17-year-old gas station attendant, and then fatally stabbed him 19 times after he had cooperated by handing over all of the money in the cash register. His body was dumped in a trash can. Fournier died from blood loss. Horton was convicted of murder, sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and incarcerated at the Northeastern Correctional Center in Massachusetts.

On June 6, 1986, he was released as part of a weekend furlough program but did not return. On April 3, 1987 in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Horton twice raped a local woman after pistol-whipping, knifing, binding, and gagging her fiancé. He then stole the car belonging to the man he had assaulted. He was later shot and captured by Corporal Paul J. Lopez of the Prince George's County Police Department after a pursuit. On October 20, Horton was sentenced in Maryland to two consecutive life terms plus 85 years. The sentencing judge, Vincent J. Femia, refused to return Horton to Massachusetts, saying, "I'm not prepared to take the chance that Mr. Horton might again be furloughed or otherwise released. This man should never draw a breath of free air again.

Democratic Presidential candidate Michael Dukakis was the governor of Massachusetts at the time of Horton's release, and while he did not start the furlough program, he had supported it as a method of criminal rehabilitation. The State inmate furlough program was actually signed into law by Republican Governor Francis W. Sargent in 1972. However, under Sargent, convicted first-degree murderers were not eligible for furlough. After the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that this right extended to first-degree murderers, the Massachusetts legislature quickly passed a bill prohibiting furloughs for such inmates. However, in 1976, Dukakis vetoed this bill arguing it would 'cut the heart out of efforts at inmate rehabilitation'.

Republicans picked up the Horton issue after Dukakis clinched the nomination. In June 1988, Republican candidate George H.W. Bush seized on the Horton case, bringing it up repeatedly in campaign speeches. Bush's campaign manager, Lee Atwater, predicted that "by the time this election is over, Willie Horton will be a household name." In April 1988, Lee Atwater asked aide Jim Pinkerton for negative research to defeat Dukakis.

Although commercials about Willie Horton were not run until the fall campaign, Bush first mentioned him at the Texas Republican convention on June 9, 1988. The following week at the Illinois Republican convention in Springfield, Bush began to press the argument against Dukakis by declaring that Dukakis had let Horton loose to 'terrorize innocent people' and continued support of the furlough program until the Massachusetts legislature changed the law.

The following are excerpts from the FrontLine Transcript directed by Stefan Forbes called Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story.

This makes for a great read into the personna of Lee Atwater. Karl Rove learned a lot from Lee Atwater. In fact, his techniques are very similar. Divide and conquer.

BUSH CAMPAIGN COMMERCIAL: As governor, Michael Dukakis vetoed mandatory sentences for drug dealers. He vetoed the death penalty. His revolving door prison policy gave weekend furloughs to first degree murderers not eligible for parole. While out, many committed other crimes, like kidnapping and rape, and many are still at large. Now Michael Dukakis says he wants to do for America what he's done for Massachusetts. America can't afford that risk.

CAMPAIGN COMMERCIAL: One was Willie Horton, who murdered a boy in a robbery, stabbing him 19 times. Despite a life sentence, Horton received 10 weekend passes from prison. Horton fled, kidnapped a young couple, stabbing the man and repeatedly raping his girlfriend.

LEE ATWATER: Absolutely not. Absolutely not. I don't even think many people in South know what race Willie Horton is. I think that's totally irrelevant.

TOM TURNIPSEED, S.C. State Senator '74-'78: I don't believe that. I think he was used primarily because he was black. Like Lee said before he died, you don't call them nigger, nigger, nigger anymore like you did 30 years ago. You know, you got to be more subtle than that. It wasn't very subtle at all to me.

ROGER STONE: I went into the headquarters to see Atwater, at his request. He locked the office door, and he popped the famous Willie Horton spot onto a television. He said, ``I got a couple boys going to put a couple million dollars up for this independent.'' And I said, ``That's a huge mistake. You and George Bush will wear that to your grave. It's a racist ad. You're already wining this issue. It's working for you. You're stepping over a line. You're going to regret it.'' And he said, ``Y'all a pussy.''

ERIC ALTERMAN: Race is poison, but it's poison that works for their side. People vote their fears and not their hopes, and Lee understood that.

TUCKER ESKEW: Race is a powderkeg. It deserves to be, in many ways. And Lee got close to that powderkeg, and you know, setting off sparks nearby.

TOM TURNIPSEED, S.C. State Senator '74-78: Good ol' Strom, golly, 21 years old, has sex with the 15-year-old daughter of the maid there at his house and produces a child. And to come out and say, ``the blood will run before we integrate'' personifies what we're talking about, you know, the hypocrisy of racism.

TUCKER ESKEW, Senior Adviser McCain/Palin '08: Lee understood the power of image and how American symbols resonate with a lot of Southerners and a lot of people all over the country. And Democrats to this day scratch their head and can't believe that people vote against their own interests by supporting these Republicans, when in fact, the audacity and arrogance of that is proud patriotism transcends money.

ERIC ALTERMAN, Journalist, Professor: The Republican Party has turned into a stealth party that argues on behalf of the common man and gives all the benefits to the wealthiest one tenth of 1 percent. It argues on behalf of certain morality policies, engages in completely different private behavior. He used to describe those anti-abortion forces as the ``extra chromosome group'' and the ones who had a hand coming out of their head, or a third eye, you know. Those were the people who were most devoted people to his cause.

TUCKER ESKEW: The South has got the same thing America's got, a complicated history on race. There are reasons to hate things about the South and still love the region and its people. I'm not aware of any Democrat paying attention to what Lee really learned in his early races. They existed up in some elite layer of the clouds that had nothing to do with what moved people to feel. They slept while Lee out-maneuvered them.

Does it matter who these men are and what they did?  They are still a small group that managed to do well in their craft.  Their goal was to succeed at whatever the cost.  I learned that it is not the color of the skin that makes a person who he/she is.  It is the their character.  We don’t know what a person might have gone through to make them a certain way.  They are who they are.  Jerks encircle the globe and it doesn’t matter what color they are.  Still, we judge by sight and sometimes by voice.  If you sound a certain way, then you might not be like me.  We all have a long way to go to avoid judging someone by their skin color, religion, or beliefs.  It is easier to find something wrong with another to induce a type of “fear” that will exclude them from being a part of our way of life.  We overlook the fact that God created us all in His image and likeness and we deny looking for a common thread that is in all of us.  As Christians, we should be Christ-like, but we worry more about what our friends and society think of us more than our own Judgment Day.

Mind Twisters

You have to wear mental protection when you read some of the nasty crap that some people are spitting out. Tomorrow, June 12, 2012, is South Carolina’s Primary and the US Justice Department stated that there will be people monitoring the polls in a couple of SC counties. It’s already a joke since almost 200 candidates were removed from primary ballots across the state. Now who or what party is responsible for this? The blame should be spread across the board. One party will cut off its nose to spite its face and the other that doesn’t have the stones to stand up. It’s a cluster bent season, election year and we should expect all of the vermin and roaches to come out. I just had to show this comment from Mike in SC regarding the Feds monitoring the polls. This isn’t a brain teaser, it is a mind screw.  To top it off, nearly 300 polling places won't open Tuesday due to no candidates on the ballot.

Mike: "Because we'uns here in tha Confederacy haven't let them negroes vote for decades! pfft. Meanwhile the national black panther party stands outside polling places in Philadelphia with batons. AG Holder chooses not to press charges against them. Then he sues the state of Florida for trying  and its coming from the federal gov't."  A comment from the US Justice Department link.

I don’t see this as a joke because I don’t know this person but if this is the actual way this person thinks. What do you expect from others?  I heard that you can't fix stupid.  But what do you do about ignorance and fear?

Rain On Us - Earnest Pugh

Freedom Flight - May 23, 2012!

Here are a few veterans from WWII, Korean War, and Viet Nam War.  These brave men and women earn and deserve our respect!

Today Is Memorial Day!

Let's not forget the brave, military men and women who sacrificed their lives for this great nation!  Now, let us continue to pray for the families and friends that gave, too!

Congratulations, Sharvetta!!!

Sharvetta is a recent graduate from Claflin University in Orangeburg. She has accepted a job with PriceWaterhouseCooper, one of the big 4 largest accounting firms in the world! What a blessing! Our prayers are with you!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

If your mother is still breathing, treat her with the utmost respect.  If you disagree with her sometimes, disagree respecting who she is.  Remember the sacrifices that she made for you all of your life.  So don't just give her one day out of the year as Mother's Day, make her Mother's Day, everyday.  If your mother has transitioned to her heavenly home, cherish the wonderful memories you were blessed with.  And if you are a mother, you know what to do.  Enjoy your day!  God bless you!