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!

The Gift of Charles

I don't know if anyone will read this story but it's a wonderful journey to be shared.  To me, this is what being a christian is like.

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/05/us/gift.of.charles/?hpt=hp_c1

What Does It Mean To Live Without God?

For many of us, most experiences teach us important lessons.  We usually learn something from it, if we pay attention.  Next time, when similar situations come up, we’ll know how to better deal with them.  Yeah, some of those experiences were so overwhelming that not only we didn’t know how to deal with them; we still don’t know how we managed to get through them.  One minute you’re sitting on top of the world and next, the world is on top of you.  What heavy burdens we carry.  We become cautious about making certain decisions reminding us of the past.  We are so scarred by life that we’ve forgotten to see the good.  Some trials and tribulations we’ve been dealt with will not give us a chance to give others a place in our lives.  Some of us bounce back and move on.  Some become “saved” and now can quote every book in the Bible.  They can judge others because they now know the Word.  They just don’t know how to quite live it, yet.  They don’t understand how to forgive and love but they can tell you that you aren’t living right.  I digress.  We should be happy that the lost sheep came back to the flock.  Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”  (John 15:5-8).  Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing” in verse 5.  We are nothing without God.  Our trials draw us closer to God.  We are not in control but need the help of God, Who is the only one that can order our steps.  Nothing is guaranteed, we walk by faith.  We should thank God for every moment in our lives.  He knows our purpose even if we don’t.  God has made so many promises to us and we are afraid to remind Him of them, because we are not good enough, pure enough, and not successful enough, to boldly approach Him.  We also have to live up to His commandments.  Love Him above all else and treat our brothers as we want to be treated.  Don’t forget that God loves us so much that He allowed His only son, Jesus, to sacrifice His life for us.  God is our Father, who loves us more than we’ll ever know.

Faith, Trust, and Wisdom!

Don’t sell yourself short.  You are worth more than what you think you are.  Many of us are at a plateau in our lives, that we begin to think that this is as far as we can go.  This is it, it’s all over now.  We settle down in our comfort zone and lay back waiting to see if anything will come along to change our situation.  Our problem is that when something does come along, we don’t want to change.  And we really don’t want it to change us too much.  I’m generally speaking about others but the only person I can talk about is me.  Sound the "wake-up" bell.  Don’t be complacent, don’t just settle on contentment.  Let’s get out of the box and do something different!  If you can’t dance, try it!  If you don’t like exotic foods, try something!  If you can’t sing, sing, anyway!  Let’s have some fun and enjoy what life has for us!  I’m not asking anyone to hurt themselves or anyone.  I just want us to look back at our lives and have very little regrets.  We’ve all been hurt emotionally and it is hard to forget those bad relationships.  But, why is it that some people are ready to try again?  Why can’t we?  Let’s exercise our faith, trust that it will work!  We’ve used it at our lowest peaks in our lives but we should keep it going even during our highs.  Pray for wisdom and develop our relationships with God.  We need to understand His character more by reading more of His word.  To find peace in the turmoil that surrounds us, we must first find peace in ourselves.

Grateful – Bishop Hezekiah Walker, L.F. Crusade Choir, Dave Hollister

Somebody Prayed – Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Buffalo Soldiers!

Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  The nickname was given to the "Negro Cavalry" by the Native American tribes they fought; the term eventually became synonymous with all of the African-American regiments formed in 1866.

Although several African-American regiments were raised during the Civil War to fight alongside the Union Army (including the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and the many United States Colored Troops Regiments), the "Buffalo Soldiers" were established by Congress as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army. Many African-Americans took a long hard look at military service which offered shelter, education, steady pay, medical attention and a pension. Some, such as Cathay Williams, who later enlisted as William Cathay, the first female Buffalo Soldier, decided it was much better than frequent civilian unemployment. Congress recognized the military merits of black soldiers by authorizing two segregated regiments of black cavalry, the Ninth United States Cavalry and the Tenth United States Cavalry and the 24th, 25th, 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry Regiments. Orders were given to transfer the troops to the western war arena, where they would join the army's fight with the Indians. In 1869, one year after Cathay Williams' discharge, from the army, the black infantry regiments were consolidated into two units, the Twenty-fourth United States Infantry and the Twenty-fifth United States Infantry. The 38th U.S. Infantry became the Twenty-fourth United States Infantry. All of the black regiments were commanded by white officers at that time.

The fact that five hospital visits failed to reveal that William Cathay was a woman raises questions about the quality of medical care, even by mid-l9th century standards, available to the soldiers of the U.S. Army, or at least to the African-American soldiers. Clearly, she never fully undressed during her hospital stays. Perhaps she objected to any potentially intrusive procedures out of fear of discovery. There is no record of the treatment given her at the hospitals. There is every indication that whatever treatments she received, they did not work.

Their job wasn’t easy. The "Buffalo Soldiers" were often confronted with racial prejudice from other members of the U.S. Army. Civilians in the areas where the soldiers were stationed occasionally reacted to them with violence. They were attacked in Rio Grande City, Texas in 1899, Brownsville, Texas in 1906, and Houston, Texas in 1917. There were recorded incidents. How many more were never heard of? In the Spanish-American Ward General John J. Pershing fought with the 10th Calvary from 1895 to 1897. He saw these brave men as good soldiers. But white cadets and officers at West Point began calling him Nigger Jack, it changed to Black Jack Pershing.  Some of you are familiar with that last term.

On September 6, 2005, Mark Matthews, who was the oldest living Buffalo Soldier, died at the age of 111. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. I met Trooper Harold S. Cole on April 21, 2012, in Columbia, S. C. at Freedom Fest acknowledging the Buffalo Soldiers and the Viet Nam Veterans. In 1944, the army disbanded the 2nd Cavalry Division, which included the 9th & 10th Cavalry Regiments in North Africa. It’s like Trooper Cole is one of the last Buffalo Soldiers.

A lasting legacy of the soldiers as park rangers is the Ranger Hat (popularly known as the Smokey Bear Hat). Although not officially adopted by the Army until 1911, the distinctive hat crease, called a Montana Peak, (or pinch) can be seen being worn by several of the Buffalo Soldiers in park photographs dating back to 1899. Soldiers serving in the Spanish American War began to crease the Stetson hat with a Montana "pinch" to better shed water from the torrential tropical rains. Many retained that distinctive "pinch" upon their return to the U.S. You can still see that look being worn among the military and law enforcement officers.

We must not forget the contribution that these brave men gave and suffered for this country.  That's right, men, not animals, but free men and former slaves who also gave their all.  They were abused, mistreated and humiliated but they were proud to be soldiers and fought their best that should be recognized throughout American History.

Hold On – James Fortune & FIYA!

We All Have Something Going On!

I was thinking that even though things might seem to be going well with me, I still have my share of problems.  No matter how well things might look on the outside, all kinds of stuff are happening on the inside.  We all think our problems are major until we see someone else problems are lot worse than our own.  Then we realize that our troubles aren’t really that bad.  But, I will admit that all of us are going through something.  It’s WHO do we look to that can bring us out of it that will make the difference.  Keep your faith, my brothers and sisters.  It’s being tested 24/7!

Kirk Franklin – Let It Go!

You Walked Lightly - Dec 18th, 2011

A beautiful, compassionate, love story by Patricia.  Awesome!  Much appreciated!!  Thank you!

You Walked Lightly Dec. 18th 2011.

You walked lightly into my life

Captivating and lovely to my mind,

At first, I never cared who you were

Now I don’t know who I am without you,

You kissed me

I felt my world change,

You held me

I heard my heart awaken,

You loved me

And my soul was born anew

You walked lightly into my life

Now my heart knows who you are

And with every breath

And every step

I take down lonely roads,

Your hand is my staff

Your voice is my guide

Your strength my shelter

You’re passion my awakening.

You walked lightly into my life,

And all my pain

You took as your own,

And all my fears

You cast into the sea,

All my doubt

Lost in your eyes,

You walked lightly into my life

And no matter if you choose to stay or go,

My life is forever changed,

Just because you loved me

For a moment in time.

And because I choose

To love you

For the rest of mine.

In Memory Of The Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, at the age of 39. Had he lived, Dr. King would have been 83 years old. On June 10, 1968, James Earl Ray, a fugitive from the Missouri State Penitentiary, was arrested in London at Heathrow Airport, extradited to the United States, and charged with the crime. On March 10, 1969, Ray entered a plea of guilty and was sentenced to 99 years in the Tennessee state penitentiary.  Ray died in prison on April 23, 1998, at the age of 70.

What Would You Have Done?

Palm Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week for a lot of Christian organizations.  The ritual represented Christ’s actual entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey and was greeted by a crowd with palm leaves laid before Him.   Mind you, this donkey was never ridden, similar to being a virgin, even the donkey symbolized peace.  The Messiah had arrived.  The Pharisees didn’t set it that way.  They didn’t like the way the people were treating Jesus like a king.  It didn’t matter how many miracles Jesus had performed.  It was a triumphant entry which also became a very passionate prelude to death.  By that Friday, people were crying before His crucifixion.  Be wary of praise, I always say, you never know what some folks are scheming.  But there is so much to think about during Holy Week!  What about the Last Supper?  It was the last meal that they all shared but it took the dullness out of the usual meal together.  What were the apostles thinking when Jesus was blessing His Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine?  Why did He wash the apostles’ feet?  He also predicted His betrayal by one of His followers.  What would we have done throughout all of this?  We would question Christ’s behavior or mental state?  Why was He speaking this way?  Would we question our own fate?  What ever was said and done was a solemn and sad night.  The mortal side of Jesus didn’t want to die a cruel and horrible death even though He knew He had to.  Jesus obeyed the Will of His Father.  How He must have prayed at Gethsemane, trusting that Peter, James, and John would stand vigilant.  Twice, He found them sleeping.  Were they sleeping because of exhaustion? From sorrow?  Does it matter?  Jesus had faced storms, mobs, temptations and demons, but they never got next to Him.  Gethsemane, the Garden of Agony, means an oil press, a place where the pressures of rocks are used to squeeze the oil out of olives. A stressful place and a night was full of stress!  Something very bad was going to happen.  Peter will deny Christ himself and Peter was Christ’s right hand!  There is so much to meditate on this week!  I haven’t discussed the trial, scourging, crowning of thorns, carrying the cross, and the actual crucifixion.  He was crucified as a common criminal with two thieves with His mother looking on.   What happened when Christ died on Mt. Calgary (Golgotha)?  What more did the thieves and Christ talk about?  There is so much to meditate on during Holy Week. Again, I ask you what would you do?  Imagine hearing these words that uttered, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  Then finally death.  If an earthquake happened and destroyed the temple, what would you do?  Did the sky turn dark and the moon turn a blood red?  The Bible said some fearful things but I believe them to be true.  Man has lost his way since Eden.  Look around you now.  Our children are being executed; hatred, envy, and intolerance are running rampant.  Wars are being fought over pride and territory.  Immorality, corrupt politics, and inequitable social laws are separating us farther from God. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb who gave up his life for man.  It appears we haven’t learned a thing.  A side note: Easter was an exciting time for my mom.  She loved everything about it, the blooming flowers and dogwoods and the singing and praising.  She stayed in this world until the day after Easter before she left for her heavenly home.  Please meditate on good and positive things, Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is next week.

Rest In Peace, Mrs. Ardis!

A graveside service for Carrie Lou Britton Ardis, 91, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2012, in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.  Mrs. Ardis died Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Woodbury, Tenn. Born October 22, 1920 in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Len C. and Ida D. Britton.

I Just Want To Thank You, Lord!

We get so busy and caught up in our problems sometimes that the most important thing for us to do is get control over them and handle our business.  Our main focus is what can we do to resolve this mess? I’m not talking about the small things, I’m talking about losses, health, relationships, financial, employment problems and other life-changing events that put our lives in a tailspin that will make us forever different.  In the midst of these body aches and headaches, we tend to forget God, who is our stabilizer, and concentrate on what is immediately in front of us.  We’ve all been through some type of pain and trouble and managed to get through it.  Looking back we wondered how did we survive it all?  But, we did.  Lord knows it hurt but we made it.  I just want to take this time to thank God for being there with me in the middle of the fire.  I also need to apologize that I didn’t mean to ignore Him because I didn’t see Him when all along He was with me.  An elderly friend of mine, Momma Bennett, says she doesn’t worry, God wouldn’t have brought her this for to leave her now.  I’ll always remember that.  We all have a testimony because we were found worthy to testify.  As soap, cleans; fire, purifies; and faith, heals; we are all thankful that we made it this far in our lives with what we have.  Thank you, Lord!

Short Life of Trouble – Carolina Chocolate Drops

Pretty Girl With the Blue Dress On - Carolina Chocolate Drops

Mouth Music - Carolina Chocolate Drops Live (featuring Adam Matta)

Trouble in Your Mind – Carolina Chocolate Drops