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Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category

My last post titled”Blacks can’t Swim” talked about how a group of Creative Steps Day Campers from the inner city of Philadelphia, were at first allowed to swim at a private, again read “WHITE” swim club only to face racial slurs and then told they had to leave because “minorities don’t swim here.” When the incident became public, the president of the club, John Duesler, stated “there was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club.” When that statement became public, the excuse became “it was a safety issue.”
 
There has been a update to this story. The Valley Swim Club voted “UNANIMOUSLY” to allow the Creative Steps Day Campers to come back to the club. I had to laugh out loud when I read this story because the heat is on and this is what’s called “Damage Control!”
 
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) has stated that he finds these allegations “disturbing” and plans on launching a “full investigation.” The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which has opened an investigation, is to make a fact-finding visit to the club July 30. People have been picketing the Valley Swim Club. Could any one or all three of those reasons be why the vote to allow the Day Campers back to the club was UNANIMOUS???? Member Amy Goldman, who has been a member for two years, has stated that she hasn’t seen a “Black member this year.” Any takers that when the PHRC makes its fact finding visit on the 30th, that it will look like a revival of “The Wiz!”
 
Lastly, if you let me know, IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS that you don’t want me around, on what planet would you think I would EVER go back? If you want to apologize, fine. But 12, 13, and 14, year old African American kids, who probably saw their mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents cry for the first time after seeing President Obama get elected, now know that we haven’t come as far as people want his election to indicate. And instead of these kids remembering “not in my lifetime” on November 4, 2008, as something positive, they are now hearing that again. Except this time, it’s what we expected. That racism is alive and well in America and an election did NOTHING to alleviate that FACT!!!!!

Governor Mark Sanford – REPUBLICAN – from South Carolina, tearfully admitted to having traveled half way across the world to have an affair. He was missing for the last 7 days and NO ONE, not even his FAMILY, knew where he was. Sanford was “surprised” with all of the hoopla that surrounded his absence and couldn’t understand what the fuss was about. Never mind the FACT that he is a public official and that he is answerable to the people of South Carolina 24/7/365, but he failed to tell anyone where he was or what he was doing. When the story first broke, the governor went on a “hike”, I guess that is the new REPUBLICAN word for affair. As more people began to talk and whisper, he finally came clean about the affair. That he had an affair is not news. Affairs happen all of the time. What is galling is that this REPUBLICAN has consistently voted NO to allowing Lesbians and Gays both Civil Unions or Same Couple Marriages. Is this the “sanctity of marriage” that he has vowed to protect?
 
Mark initially told his staff that he was going “hiking in the Appalachian Mountains” and never told them that he was headed for Argentina. The year long affair with a woman he termed as a “dear dear friend” is allegedly over. Over about 72 hours ago. Thank goodness he rushed into ending the affair. Once he was caught in the lie, it was over before the light switch could be turned off! But I wonder. If no one had questioned where he was for the past seven days, would he have ended the affair? Or would he have even made the affair public knowledge?
 
Listening to him speak, I was waiting for the words “I have sinned against you” to come forth from his mouth. He talked for more than 8 minutes, many times in tears, puzzles, riddles, and tongue-twisters, before saying the word “affair.” This is a man who has claimed to be a “family man” and a “god fearing christian” was willing to travel almost 5000 miles to break his marriage vows.
Continue reading “Is this the “sanctity of marriage” you are protecting?” »

One of the main reasons countries in the Middle East have fought against any aid from America is because of their fear the aid will come at a cost. The cost being the spreading of Christianity. That charge is denied by the military leaders of this country, but those same leaders have used biblical terms to describe the war, making statements like this is our “army from god,” and saying that soldiers were “hunting people for Jesus.” This strategy of using the gun then the bible to conquer whole groups and races of people has been used by people of European descent for centuries. And is NOTHING NEW to people who have studied on their own and know World History!
 
When Columbus and his gang or rapists, pillagers, and plunders came to the new world, they killed and enslaved many of the people they initially came in contact with. Then they brought in the Catholic Bishops to “teach” the “pagans” that their language, religion, customs, and way of life, were against “god.” They were told that their conquers were there to “save them” and help them get to “heaven.” This is an one example of the gun then the bible being used to justify Manifest Destiny.
 
The bible was used by slave traders to justify conquering all of Africa. Slave ships had names like Jesus. At the Berlin Conference in 1884, Spain, Portugal, England, Germany, Italy, the United States, and France, to name a few, decided to carve up Africa for their own benefit. They also agreed not to fight one another over the natural riches that the continent has and to help each other conquer the people in Africa if needed. That meeting started the second assault on the continent that came on the heels of the African Slave trade. This assault began with the simultaneous violent raids on the continent. And after the “heathens” were beaten, raped, and/or killed into submission, religion was brought in. The bible was RE-WRITTEN and MIS-INTERPRETED to claim that Black skin was a curse and because of this, we were predestined to be slaves forever. Another example of the use of the gun and the bible to justify Manifest Destiny.
Continue reading “The Gun or the Bible” »

There was an article recently in the news that stated there are thousands of teachers, NATIONWIDE who are being paid, with full benefits, including medical, vacation and holiday pay, for literally sitting around in a room during school hours doing nothing. This new kind of Rubber Room, is a holding tank for teachers or administrators who are waiting for their disciplinary hearings. Some of these teachers have been accused of major infractions lik esexual conduct to minor infractions like insubordination and everything in between. While I certainly wouldn’t want to have a teacher suspected of sexual misconduct to be allowed to teach in class, this idea of paying someone a full salary to sit around, for months, is just plain silly.
 
If you had read this blog before, you know that I had lost a job that I loved working with kids, because the new administrator didn’t like me. But I didn’t take it personally. She singlehandedly got rid of at least 8 other people. And because of her dirt, the Non Profit organization lost the contract with the San Diego Juvenile Probation Department to do Teen Drug and Alcohol Counseling. I guess you could call that Karma! And in reading this article, some of the excuses used to get rid of these teachers seemed pretty flimsy. Using the term “insubordination” is another way of saying “no reason at all, it just sounds good.” That was the excuse that was used to fire me. But when pressed by the Employment Development Department, my boss gave some many contradictory reasons that the Mediator sided in my favor. So listening to some of the reasons these teachers are in “purgatory” sounded familiar. One teacher is in the “room” because she allegedly allowed a student to sing in class while wearing a hat. Another teacher was there because he pushed another student while breaking up a fight. Another teacher is there because he blew the whistle on an Assistant Principal who was fudging test scores.
Continue reading “A new Kind of Rubber Room” »

President Obama has decided to allow the partners of Lesblan and Gay federal employees the same benefits as their straight co-workers. WOW! That’s awful damn WHITE of him!
 
And not nearly good enough!
 
He has refused to step in and end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He has refused to end, what he promised to do before the elections, DOMA – Defense of Marriage Act – which he as the ability to do. Yet he thinks this is supposed to placate us! No, not even close!
 
Lesbians and Gays supported Obama in large numbers and if he thinks he would have gotten elected without our MONEY, organizing skills, and support, I can guarantee you, he is sadly mistaken. While he certainly brought together a large and diverse coalition of people, we were at the forefront of this group. And we are growing tired of waiting on him to do what he promised to do.
 
I pay taxes, FEDERAL TAXES, and don’t appreciate my tax dollars being used to discriminate against me. If the Federal Government has laws on the books that make discrimination legal, why should we be surprised that states are doing the same thing?
 
Major props to Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine who are either already performing Same Couple Marriages, or are scheduled to begin in 2009 or 2010.
 

Hey california. How is the budget melt down working out for ya!!!! According to the prestigious Williams Institute, they estimate that the passage of Proposition 8 will cost the state more than $800 million in the next three years, due to a loss of revenue for weddings and various auxiliary services. Not to mention the “trickle down theory” that applies to more money in people’s hands.
 
I guess that old saying is right. Bigotry, Hate, and Racism affects EVERYONE! Not just the people it is aimed at!!!!

california supreme court:

 

FUCK YOU TOO!!!!

In last Tuesday’s california election, every proposition that the Governor Schwarzenegger backed was RESOUNDINGLY DEFEATED. Even with his threats to cut health care, education, and fire and police protection, the california citizens didn’t bite. So we will see if the threats made by the governor come to pass. But that is not the real question. Because with one vote, california already signed its fate. californians voted for Prop 8, which made marriage between Same Gendered Couples illegal.
 
Before the election and discussion might now be accelerated, there was talk of maybe legalizing Marijuana. This drug is called a “Schedule 1″ drug as far as the Federal Government is concerned, meaning it is one of the worse drugs in the world. Other Schedule 1 drugs include: Heroin, GHB, and Meth Amphetamine. And to show just how silly this really is, COCAINE is NOT a Schedule 1 drug but Marijuana is! Yet there is serious talk about legalizing a drug that is supposed to be one of the worse drugs in the world. californians would rather have a bunch of potheads instead of law abiding Same Couple Marriages.
 
An article came out on May 17, 2009, a few days before the california elections, which stated that the state of Massachusetts has gotten a 111 million dollar windfall since it legalized Same Couple Marriage. NOW, 111 million dollars is a drop in the bucket compared to the money that is needed to shore up the california budget, but the fact remains that Same Couple Marriage brings money and JOBS into the state of Massachusetts. Massachusetts’ unemployment rate is at 8% and california’s is around 11%. The “trickle down theory” of the money being spent in Massachusetts and not in california should be lost here. Iowa, another state that has legalized Same Couple Marriage, has an unemployment rate of 5.1%. And their tourism industry is on the rise with Lesbian and Gay couples from surrounding states taking buses to Iowa to get married. Since there is a 3 day waiting period to get a marriage license, I wonder how much money is being spent in Iowa for hotels, Limos, food, lounging, and catering services, just to name a few. AGAIN, money that could be flowing into the coffers of california. Because the bottom line, and no offense to Massachusetts or Iowa, california is a better place to be and get married! Not only can you go from the beach, to the snow, and then to the desert in hours, but you are right near an international border in Mexico where you can have a whole other experience! People came from not just other states, but OTHER COUNTRIES to get married in california when it was legal! Don’t you get it!!!
Continue reading “I’d rather pay more in taxes than allow Gay Marriage!” »

Doug Manchester, owner of the Manchester Hyatt Hotels, donated $125,000.00 to the “Yes on Prop 8” campaign and got INDIGNANT when the Lesbian and Gay community organized and have supported a financial boycott of his hotels. And nearly a year later, Doug has had a change of heart, or is it wallet? and NOW wants to give an Olive Branch to our community. He is pledging to donate the same amount of money, $25,000.00 to Lesbian and Gay charities and give another $100,000.00 as credit towards staying at his hotels and holding parties and fundraisers there. Is Ashton Kutcher around anywhere? Because I feel like I am getting PUNK’D!
 
This BRIBE does nothing to undo the hurt that has been caused by the passing of Prop 8. The FACT that a group of people decided to take a BIGOTED stance and play GOD can’t be undone for $125,000.00. And the FACT that Manchester showed no compassion and said our complaints were “personal attacks on him and his family” hasn’t been forgotten. What happened to the “personal attack?” Is the fact that his companies wallets are getting lighter and lighter and emptier and emptier the real reason for the change in opinion? What about the personal attacks on OUR FAMILIES?
 
To our community’s credit, we have not wavered in honoring the boycott. And when former President Bill Clinton spoke at the Hyatt Hotel, he was met with protesters letting him know exactly how we felt. Many other organizations, including the American Trial Lawyers Association, have moved, canceled, or refused to hold their conventions at his hotels. It seems that with a recession, and people being more conscious about where they spent their money, Doug is feeling the pinch. This has nothing to do with a change of heart. It has to do with cobwebs and dust in the company vault!
  Continue reading “UNCLE!!!” »

One of the things President Obama stated in his inaugural speech was that he was going to reach out to enemies and try and make them friends. After years, if not decades of animosity, this will be no small feat. Iran, North Korea, and even Venezuela, are now countries that we would like to bring into the global family. So when President Obama visited Venezuela, it was with the intent to open dialog with a country that has long said that it will not bow to U.S pressure on anything. From most accounts, the meetings between Obama and Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, went well. So I found it funny that there are certain segments of the press, the right wing nut jobs, who are focusing on something like a handshake.
 
CNBC host Larry Ludlow was INCENSED that President Obama and President Hugo Chavez greeted each other with the “Boyz in the Hood” handshake. For those of you who don’t know what that means it’s when two people shake hands but instead of grasping each other’s full hand first, you grasp each other’s thumbs first. The venom with which Ludlow voiced his opinion speaks more about him than it does about President Obama. Ludlow stated that the picture of them shaking hands “bugged the hell out of him and really pissed him off all weekend.” A HANDSHAKE did all that? He does admit that they “greeted each other warmly.” But that is the point DUMBASS!
 
Those people in the “know” are aware that you greet friends, family members, co-workers, and business associates differently. Friends and family members call each other names that they would never say to anyone else. I’ve seen Black, White, Asian, and Latino people great one another and their own race in this manner. It is a greeting of LOVE and RESPECT, PERIOD! The greeting between Obama and Chavez was that type of greeting. Two people who have a mutual respect for one another.
 
People of African descent have never done anything to anyone on the same or similar levels as to what was done to them. And that is a reason the world was euphorias when Obama was elected. Because the hope is that instead of blowing into countries and pushing our military weight around, we will be able to sit down with people FIRST and try and come to an understanding. And the “Boyz in the Hood” handshake was just that kind of understanding. The problem is that Larry saw something that he didn’t understand and to deal with it, he lashed out at it.
 
Ludlow should be glad that President’s Obama and Chavez didn’t break down and have a “dance off.” Or do the “fist pound.” Or a “chest bump.” Because he might have had a heart attack!

 
 
 

Ain’t that a bitch. We finally have a First Lady that we all can be proud of, regardless of the color of your skin, and we have people verbally beating her down damn near on a daily basis. In the last week there was a NUT CASE name Tammy Bruce who called Michelle Obama “trash.” Then there was a commentator, Bert Prelutsky, on a supposed “Christian” radio station who that racism doesn’t exist in America because if it did, Oprah, Will Smith, Colin Powell, and Denzel Washington would be serving Mint Julips on the plantation. He also called Michelle a bitch! Seems like there is a segment of America who is fighting “tooth and nail” against the idea that a country that is less than 200 years past slavery is now being led my ancestors of those exact same people! Well get past it! A Black man is the leader of the free world! And his Black wife is the First Lady!!!!
 
The capper is that a Republican Congressman from the assbackwards state of california, Darrell Issa, is sponsoring a bill that would make it a crime for First Lady’s, read Michelle Obama, to do any “substantive work.” WOW!!!
 
Let’s break this down. We just got rid of the worse president probably in the history of the presidency in george w bush. (lowercase on purpose). His wife, Laura Bush, was omnipresent on TV talking about being a big brother or sister. She spoke and advocated for women’s rights both here and Internationally. Yet NO ONE said anything about what she was doing. But when Michelle, who has only been in office for a little longer than 2 months, begins to put her stamp on the First Ladyship, a bill is sponsored to have her sit her ass down. I’d hate to say this was racist, but it is beginning to smell that way!
 
Bottom line is this. For the first time since the 60′s, we have a President and First lady we all can identify with. Two people who, if politics were taken out of it, we could see ourselves being friends with. There is hope for this country like never before. Even with the recession. And if the saying “behind every great man, there is a great woman” is correct, the last thing we want is for Michelle to “sit down.” If Michelle can help polish our tarnished image both here and abroad, I say, “do yo thing sista!!!!!”
 
Issa has more things to worry about. Like a california economy that is in the tank. An unemployemnt rate that is at or near the top of the list. He also needs to remember that this issue was settled in 1993 when the role of the First Lady was clarified when Hillary Clinton took an active part of creating a Comprehensive Health Plan.
 
So Darrell, relax. Barack and Michelle “Got this!”