Have you ever seen a grown man cry?

I know black history month is over but this is an experience I felt compelled to share.

I was on TDY recently and was having a stressful trip home. I almost didn't make the first leg of my trip, L A traffic was so thick and slow it took me almost 3 hours to get from Pasadena to the rental return. Then when I got to the rental place the driver was in no big hurry to leave... and par for the course, my stop was the last one on the concourse. I was so anxious to get off the shuttle I got up and got my bags. The moment the door came open I may as well have had a cape on because I flew out of the door of the shuttle and almost landed at the door of the airport. I found the electronic ticket machine whipped out the GSA credit card and my fingers moved at the speed of sound entering my information my flight was less than an hour away ...and I was in LAX...I looked at the screen and a message came up: Unable to check baggage, Too late. See counter for check in. I gasped, WHAT THE F...ATHER! I only had one bag to check and of course because I had been there a few days it was a "big'un." I rolled my bag to the attendant and explained my dilemma and she said in an extremely mundane manner "You're Late". Thank you Albert Einstein-ess is was what I was thinking but what came out of mouth was "Yes, what do I need to do about my bag?" She gave it the "magic eye" and responded that she thinks it's ok and is small enough to be carry on. Praise Jesus!!! was what was in my mind but what came out of my mouth was "Thank you." So I scurried to the security line bag in tow and I was suddenly detained by the sign that talked about the do's and dont's of carry on baggage...explosive items, weapons ...blah blah blah...fluids in non-transparent containers over a certain size. FraggleNakkle Doo Doo!!! My mind suddenly flashed back to the pristine collection of shampoos, conditioners, and lotions I had collected over the past few days courtesy of the Hilton which currently resided in my carry on.

I frantically opened my bag and began a one man water bucket style assault disposing the bottles into the container they lovingly placed there for just such and occasion. I showed my ID and began stripping myself of all metal in preparation. Cut on my netbook opened it, took out my ticket and at the last moment took off my shoes before I approached the X-ray. Now apparently the older guy in front of me hadn't flown in a while and wasn't in nearly as big a hurry as I was to catch the flight as I was because he didn't begin this metal stripping, shoe removing, electronic activating process until he got to the machine....and I say again...FraggleNakkle Doo Doo!!! Ok I made it through I am at the starting line of the concourse...waiting for my batons to be passed too me so I can make the 300 meter dash to my gate. At the time I thought it wise to forgo replacing the shoes as they wer still tied and I just heard the last boarding call for my flight. At the time. I grabbed my bags and my shoes and began the race to the gate to discover that socked feet and slick floors aren't very fond of each other. NOOOOO I didn't fall but what others saw I'm sure was a spectacle to onlookers watching this slow motion O.J. Simpson impression coming through. I made it to the gate just as the last person entered panting and now trying to put on my shoes. I was in such a rush I decided I will put them the rest of the way on on the plane. They were high tops and half way on so I did the tippy-toe walk down the runway onto plane, too my seat and once again...FraggleNakkle Doo Doo!!! there was a feller in the seat next to mine as big or bigger than me and I have the window seat. There is no way I'm going to be able to get to my shoes. So I wound up flying from LAX to ATL in tippy toe hell. Now I know you're thinking so whats all this got to do with black history month...? I'm gettin' to it. Finally ATL!!!!

I tip toe off the plane and find the first seat I can so I can put on these shoes! Ahhhhh !!! relief and I have a 3 hour layover. So I'm gingerly walking through the airport people watching, checking the shoppes etc and looking for my concourse, when I see an MLK display, and I walk right by it (black history month right?). I've seen MLK stuff before...been to the museum ..the church etc...I've seen it all. But I looked at my watch and in my mind I thought you've got plenty of time. So I made a U-turn to see the display. Now it wasn't exceptional it was just there. I looked over the hodge podge of stuff that was in the display and suddenly it caught my eye. Under a glass case aged but still glistening. The Nobel Peace Prize, accompanied by information saying at age 35, he was the youngest man, second American, and the third black man to be so honored, 1964. It stopped me cold. I began to reflect. I must have stared at that medal for 15 minutes. I thought about his life and how in so few years how he impacted all of ours. How his efforts and his sacrifices will aid future generations. The suffering he endured. The hard decisions he had to make. The resistance he faced for trying to do the right thing. Nights spent in jail in the name of equality. The many miles marched. The many he inspired. The sacrifice his family had to endure. The death threats, the fires, the bombing and the eventual assassination of this one very spiritual servant and messenger of God, who's mission in life was simply peace and equality for humanity. I was humbled, appalled, angered, and in came a rush of emotions I''ve never felt about a man I've never known. It put things in perspective for me all that I experienced before was worthless. My problems were null, my concerns petty.

I grabbed the handle of my bag, and when I did the emotions settled in the pit of my stomach like thanksgiving dinner. As I was about to leave moisture welled up in my eyes and before I could stop them a single tear escaped from each eye one for his life and one for his legacy. I wiped the rest so they would attract no more and began my walk. I was saying good bye to a dear friend I never knew.

I love you Dr. King, you are sorely missed, P.S. Have you ever seen a grown man cry?

If you would like to see the exhibit you can check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOYX8QdQt5g

Lottery (Hypocrisy in our Democracy PT II): Financially Failing the Intellect of Alabama.

I recently saw a report that indicated that after another year of cuts in teacher jobs in Alabama, we can look forward to another year of teachers cuts combined with an increase in the amounts teachers have to pay in insurances, Increase in the amount education employees pay into their retirement plans and an increase in number of years a teacher will have to work to be "retirement eligible" in the Alabama State School System. According to Alabama Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton. This is compounded with current shortage in educators allows Alabama to earn the distinction of having scores below the national average in the core subjects that allow students to compete in the increasingly global job markets that ensure sustainability for future families, the sons and daughters of Alabama.

In the age of enlightenment and information Alabama is falling fast and apparently according to Dr. Morton's plans we haven't even kicked in the afterburners that will plummet our educational pursuits with neck breaking skin stretching, conscious losing speeds. All the while our "leaders" only charge is to hunker down and endure. Where are the bright ideas these so called leaders are implementing to reverse this predicament we are in? Add hypocrisy here: In 2008 Dr. Morton's "bright idear" to increase teachers in the state was the creation of the Alabama Teachers Recruitment Incentive Program (ATRIP). This program pays the tuition expenses of new teachers in the state $5000.00 per year for four years in exchange for teaching in the state for four years. In his words...."a gift from the State of Alabama to them" now it all sounds good on paper but ummm how can the right side of your brain say you're gonna cut jobs and the left side of your brain say we are going to hire more AND GIFT THEM $5000.00 per year for four years to pay for their education??? because of this I feel this program is aptly names "A Trip!" As the Indians used to say " Him speak with forked tongue"
Being a country boy endows me with country boy logic and one thing I know for sure is... "you can't get blood from a turnip" ...

Alabama is grappling financially and the moral indigence of our leaders binds our hands and gives us a curb side seat. To the financial train wreck that is Alabama's educational monetary woes. Enter the Educational Lottery. I know what you're thinking Alabama does not condone an educational lottery or any form of gambling....and that would be true except for bingo parlors,dog racing, electronic "bingo" machines, raffles etc. etc. I mean even when churches want to raise extra money in a hurry for a cause...they often resort to church "raffles" ...what is a raffle a but a lotteries little brother? "All sins being equal" means all sins are equal.

What would we gain or lose by having a state wide "raffle" well lets look at our neighboring states which incidentally ALL benefit from Alabama NOT having a lottery and with the exception of Mississippi (which has full fledged casino gambling) DO have a lottery. According to the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Tennessee received, $258 million, Georgia, $816 million, and Florida a whopping $1.224 BILLION, Alabama $0 and this was in 2006. These funds are appropriated by the State Legislatures and administered by the State Departments of Education and benefit school construction bonds, Community Colleges, State Universities, Public Schools, State Student Financial aid, and College Scholarships. What do they lose? besides the tax contributions of the few that get addicted to playing lottery and the faux morality associated with having a lottery in their state. I can't think of one more thing.

Having a population that cannot afford to adequately educate its citizens, that allows it's populous to fall behind not just the nation, but the majority of the world, to produce students that in general are not intellectually prepared to face the the intellectual challenges of tomorrow because of it's pompous, self indulgent, ignorant, need to say "we're better'n you " is in my opinion not only hypocrisy but a sin of sorts in itself. Forty-three of the other "United States" have opted to have a state lottery and of those 43 not one has received less than several million dollars to supplement the states educational revenue...The remaining 6 you ask? Well, Alaska has oil subsidies, Hawaii..Tourism, Mississippi and Nevada casino's, Utah and Wyoming relatively small populations.

Faux moral decay versus very real social decay which is more detrimental to flourishing of society? I leave you to your own reckoning , but I can see further taxation in my near future if something real and radical doesn't change....Alabama may be the "buckle" of the "Bible Belt" but most belts I've worn that broke....broke right there around the buckle. Let's not let Alabama's "coverall's" become those saggin' ghetto denims we all love to hate.

I'll be semen ya....

With the exception of Boxing, the championships (NFL, NBA, etc.) and an occasional street race (lol) I'm not really a sports fan so I find it odd that I am discussing an athlete at all. More so It’s rare that I'm discussing a runner....and even more rare that I'm talking about a female runner. But the recent accomplishments of A South African runner, Caster Semenya have intrigued me and the social implications and ramifications stemming from the inquiry quite simply, fascinate me. If you're not up on what I'm talking about,

"Semenya participated in the 2008 World Junior Championships, and won the gold in the 800 m at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games with a time of 2:04.23.In the 2009 African Junior Championships she won both the 800 m and 1500 m races with the times of 1:56.72 and 4:08.01 respectively. With that race Semenya improved her 800 m personal best by seven seconds in less than nine months, including four seconds in that race alone.

The 800 m time was the world leading time in 2009 at that date. It was also a national record, championship record, and a personal best by almost four seconds. Semenya simultaneously beat the Senior and Junior South African records held by Zelda Pretorius at 1:58.85, and Zola Budd at 2:00.9, respectively.

Semenya won gold in the 800 m at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics with a time of 1:55.45 in the final, again setting the fastest time of the year." -Wikipedia

Now because she made such drastic improvements in so little time, handily dispatched the competition and shattered world records they want to rescind her titles not because she has been using some performance enhancing drug,,,, No no no they want to make sure she's not a man....What? That's right they want to do a series of complex test on her to see if she has something genetically masculine about her that gives her an unfair advantage.

Ok up front when I first saw her I said looks like a feller to me ...But....I said let me find a video clip...and see her in action....Oh my,It was breathtaking...and then I heard the interview....and the tonal quality in her voice clicked a switch in my head. That’s a MAN: CASE CLOSED. Then my mind flooded with "things that make you go hmmmmmm"

DISCLAIMER: Reading some of this stuff may make your head explode. If you feel your blood pressure increasing, feel your heart quickening or your eyeballs bulging. Click the little red X in the top right hand corner of the screen. I'm not responsible for your cessation.

That being said...Ok if they decide she's a man does she then get to check the [M] box on the job application? Driver’s license? Police report?

If she gives birth to a child does the baby then have two fathers?

Because she fathered the child with a man does that make her homosexual? Or if she decided to date women does that make her heterosexual?

And then I began to think of the moral implications ....more hmmms...

God don't make mistakes so regardless of what I think I know she is just like he wanted her to be.

She was born a girl, lived as a girl and matured into a young woman.

Who is the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to question God's Work?

Who is mankind to question Gods work?

Why is it that the same religious community that has vocally weighed in so heavily on gender related issues for decades so clinically silent on this issue that has so many direct ramifications to the philosophy they have been conveying?......hmmmmm

Ok then the floodgates opened ...What about the rest of us??

Apparently very few of us have had their gender "tested!" You see normally when we come out of the womb we are assigned a gender based on if we have an "outtie" or an "innie." F$#!K This ain't fair ....That means I could potentially wind up with a "shim !!!" and worse yet never even know it !!!

I know to “check the neck,” but does that hair on her lip or on her chin make her a him?

Perhaps those guys that grow up wearing their mom’s shoes, dresses and makeup are actually gals and didn’t know it because they hadn't been tested!!!

If they did get tested and it was discovered they were actually genetically girls would they then be accepted by society?

If they dated men could, they be considered a heterosexual couple? Could they then get "married" and provide their gender test as proof that they with "franks and beans” are actually a woman?

Would the rest of us still stand in judgment of Gods work? hmmmmmmmmmm

I repeat I do not like sports in general., I prefer my hobbies to games and I don't really like "hanging with the boys" I prefer the intimate company of a woman....hmmm might a gender test confirm me a lipstick lesbian encased in this good looking, well endowed masculine frame? LOL LOL LOL

This is makin’ my head hurt LOL. Now I don't know exactly what the gender test of Caster will show... but it does emphasize that as a society we place a lot of emphasis on gender. The results should raise new questions for us. I offer no solution only more questions, but I am certain of something that cannot and will not change. We are all human beings and need to learn to appreciate each other for the individuals we each are. We need to accept each other for the individuals we each are and we cannot stand in judgment of Gods work. His mentality is our mystery and the manifestation of mystery is inquisitive not exclamatory. Caster Semenya regardless is a Champion. Perfect in Gods eyes, not to be judged by mans eyes not only for the performance on the track, but also for the questions she makes us ask ourselves.

Hypocrisy in "our" Democracy: Biting the hand that rocks the Cradle

Recently the U.S. Senate was charged with the arduous and required task of deciding what is best for the citizens they serve and the society they have been appointed to guide. Decisions to confirm a supreme court justice, an whether or not to extend funding on a program that help to recycle "clunkers" may seem to pale in comparison to the decisions that need to be made regarding, war funding, or health care reform or even bank bailouts, but the truth of the matter is all of these decisions are important and each plays a role in creating the "Great Society" we aspire to become in America.

To accomplish this effectively we need to have our most qualified, and intellectually developed people in those positions to make informed intelligent decisions that will have far reaching impact on how we develop and prosper.

Recently a vote was taken on extension of the "Cash for Clunkers" program implemented by the Obama administration. This is the wildly popular program that lets you trade in your gas guzzling, environmentally unfriendly, hydrocarbon producing clunker and get a credit on a new fuel efficient low emissions vehicle. Good for the environment right? Well it turns out after about a week into the program the it turns out it was an overwhelming success requiring additional funding to continue the program. Turns out it is not only has (even if minimally so) a positive effect on the environment, but it also has additional benefits that may be even more substantial. CNN Money recently wrote an article detailing the "ripple" effect the Cash for Clunkers program is having ( http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/06/news/companies/clunkers_economic_impact/index.htm?section=money_topstories ). In nutshell the "total of $3 billion spent on Cash for Clunkers could result in an $18 billion boost to the overall economy.", is likely to provide a significant lift to more than just the battered auto industry, and will also positively affect the banking industry, the recycling industry, automobile dealers, etc and that the impact of Cash for Clunkers could last even after the program eventually ends. It is even being touted as the single most effective program to free up consumer cash to provide impetus to the wheels of our economy and get it moving again.

As a common citizen and being a reasonably intelligent man, from basic reading, processing and understanding, I know this is good. In turn I expect our dually appointed representatives to at least use this same reasonable intellect and make their decisions respectively.

Enter the U.S. Senate. Every state has 2 and they are charged with doing what's best for both the state they represent and for the Nation. Given an opportunity to vote on this appropriation in terms ot the "Nation" the "Senate" did the right thing for society, passing the bill by a vote of 60 -37.HOORAY! But upon inspection of the Senate voting record something more obvious and disappointing about some "Senators" makes itself readily apparent. Quite some senators may be biting the hand that feeds them.. Of the 37 senators that voted "NAY" 26 are from 13 states. That's right both senators in those states decided the increased revenue, the increased jobs and benefits associated with this program are not in the best interest of their state, right? WRONG..... FREAKIN' WRONG. Of the 13 states that voted double negative, how about MORE THAN HALF benefit from having in their home states manufacturers that PRODUCE believe it or not AUTOMOBILES! You know,the likes of GM, Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes, Nissan, Honda, BMW, etc. In fact Jeff Session and Richard Shelby who were adamantly opposed to this program are fortunate enough to have 3! of these said manufacturers in their home state of "ALABACKWOODS" .and have brazingly boasted "We have a very large and vibrant automobile sector in Alabama.'' The rest of the double negative states have suffered tremendously and lost revenue/industries because of the decline of the Automotive Industry! (SEE the MAP)

Now I said all that to say this.....If you go to church and don't believe in GOD.... you are a hypocrite. If you are a policeman and you steal.... you are a hypocrite, If you believe prostitution is wrong and you pick up a prostitute for sex...you are a hypocrite . If you think gambling is wrong and you allow dog racing, bingo and not a lottery LOL.... You're a selective hypocrite LOL. By the same cadence...If your state could or does benefit from an industry and you vote against policies that could could further benefit your constituency from that industry then to your constituents senators, YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE!.

If the election has done anything for me it has made me open my eyes and and be more of aware of the policies and policymakers that are charged with making the decisions that will not only affect me as a citizen but additionally those that will affect our future. Consequently I will be watching this "hypocrisy in our democracy" and making it plain.

There is an expression that goes "Don't bite the hand that feeds you" and In this case The hand you are biting incidentally, Is the hand that "Rocks the Cradle."

Get yo hand out my pocket, yo foot off my neck and yo chip off my shoulder

I understand our people endured 400 years of slavery, many more years of oppression that has yet to subside and "WE" have not reached the pinnacle of equality that we so desperately desire. "Life for me aint been no crystal stair" Like H. L. Gates I have been unjustly arrested, multiple times, ...I have been profiled and searched multiple times, I have been ticketed unfairly multiple times, I have been yelled at and mistreated by policemen a few times, I have been racially called "out of my name" a few times, I have ridden through a Klan rally, Usurped for promotion at my job under questionable circumstances.... and even been plain old ignored at a car dealership .with a loan check in my pocket ready to buy... So when I tell you what I'm about to tell you I have every right to...I've been there and done that.

Let me start by saying this...There is a difference between Gossip, Jokes and News and i think we as a people and individuals need to learn the difference so Imma make it plain .....these are my definitions, Webster or Thorndike Barnhart might give it a slightly different meanings but for the purpose of what I have to say... this is it...

Gossip is in my definition: Rumors unsubstantiated by fact or suppported by "facts" that may not be true.

Jokes are in my definition: Are stories that are told to elicit a humorous response...they may or may not be true or may be some fusion of both but they are not news or gossip.

New is in my definition: Are the stated facts about something substantiated by verifiable evidence.

Now I said that to say this... recently I have received countless emails from people figuratively wanting me to rally the troops, get fired up, get rilled up and take arms against the social injustices that are affecting us as a people , denigrating us and castigating us and making a mockery of all that we have accomplished!!! In the name of Blackness get on your horse and RIDE !!! RIDE!!! RIDE!!!! Most have been Obama stories ..See if any of these ring a bell... He's not a citizen? He's lookin at somebodies booty? He's wearing mama jeans? etc. etc. etc... and now my new favorite, that he was snubbed by the Russians when he was trying to shake their hand... They want me to hate the country of Russia behind that LOL (WTF?) ...p.s. it didn't happen. To you I say get yo hand out my pocket, yo foot off my neck and yo chip off my shoulder!!!

We as a people have got to stop believing everything we hear (or in some cases see) making an irrational rush to judgement and then applying peer pressure to make everyone believe and act exactly like you do because you don't want to be wrong alone. We need to excercise some of the critical thinking skills that were exhibited by Martin Luther King and Malcom X and most of the people you respect because they used theirs!!! The last one frustrated me so much because the person that sent me the snubbing incident is very intelligent but adamantly chose to believe Obama was snubbed based on an anonymous edited clip with no source or reference even after I sent her several legitimate sources (Including Yahoo News, Getty Images, Associated Press, and United Press International) that accurately detailed what was depicted which was incidentally (President Barack Obama introducing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to members of the American delegation at the Kremlin). She had the audacity to ask me "WAS I BLIND?"....No I am not blind....now I see what going on and I don't like it one bit...

We have all heard the story of "The boy who cried wolf" and "Chicken Little" right? That will soon be the story of African Americans if we don't stop yelling the sky is falling down everytime an "A.C.O.R.N." (pun intended) hits us on the head. We have to stop believing everything that is presented and start checking for ourselves and start fighting only those battles worth our effort and no those don't include JOKES or RUMORS!!! To speak about them seriously is to elevate them to the level of intellectual conversation and there's too much truth in life for me to be concerned with jokes or rumors!

So in closing stop clogging my inbox with bullshit wanting action, stop clouding my mind with fallacy you believe and stop trying to place your collective chip on my shoulder!!! YOU are the one setting us back and already for me "Life aint been no crystal stair.".

Are you "REALLY" hungry for change???

After the republican “stronghold” gave us all of the doom and gloom, pre-election detriment talk about NASA being on the economic chopping block if they ever elected Obama, I received this message from NASA Administration today.

“Today, President Obama announced an $18.69 billion budget for NASA for FY 2010 to advance Earth science, complete the International Space Station, explore the solar system and conduct aeronautics research. The budget request represents an increase of $903.6 million, about 5 percent, above the amount provided NASA in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. I appreciate the president's strong support for NASA as demonstrated by the additional $2 billion provided in our 2009 and 2010 budgets.”

The individuals who did all the nay saying, backbiting, and hating have been quieter than they were the day after election (can you hear the crickets chirping?).

Now with the housing market stabilizing, the jobless claims declining, the stock market rebounding, and our image around the world being restored….. I still can’t get an AMEN from all those disillusioned, bible thumping, Bama right wing conservatives, that wildly underestimated the integrity, intellect, tenacity and hubris of this dynamic new President.

When I was growing up I was told if you are wrong ….be “man” enough to admit you are wrong. Don’t just go off in a huff and in denial thinking everything you say and do is right.

The other day I was in a hurry to get to lunch. I was running late and I improperly tried to use my car to try to make up for lost time. In my haste I whipped in front of another car thinking the car in front of them would speed up…. And I could get into the turn lane and make up some major time by beating the light. Now as divine intervention would have it ….that’s not what happened @ all. As every great story begins “Uhh you see what happened was……” as soon as I whipped in front of the car.. the driver that I pulled behind decided out of the blue to step on the brakes because the large truck she was beside wavered in her lane, causing me to stab my brakes and consequently for the dude behind me to slam on his brakes too…(Chain reaction) This rapid slowing also caused me to miss the light and wind up side by side with the now furiously mad dude that was behind me. The pissed off look on his face as he looked at me through jet black raybans while simultaneously shaking his head from left to right while articulating words through a closed window that would have made a lip reader blush made realize something….

Risking at most gunshots and at a very minimum being flipped off and ignored I rolled down my passenger window to talk to the “angry guy”… To my surprise he let down his window and I guess I’m a pretty good lip reader because what he was saying were expletives and better yet they were exactly the words I thought they were. So I tried to explain why I stabbed my breaks, pointing at the other car and he shook his head harder and told me you were at fault for cutting me off like that. I looked him square in the eye and said “sir I sincerely apologize for any frustration I may have caused my actions. You are exactly right I am completely wrong and I truly apologize, will you please find it in your heart to forgive me” With that … the raybans came off a smile replaced the scowl he previously dawned and he told me that he really appreciated my admission, accepted my apology and told me that idiot that stamped her brakes for nothing had done the same thing to him a while back… he understood…. We philosophically shook hands and diverged on our separate paths we were both made larger by coming to an understanding.

I guess what I’m trying to demonstrate is that if you are wrong it’s never too late to admit it and it doesn’t make you less , it can actually foster the unity that will help our Nation not only rebound , but excel. The drought of partisan ideology has made many a republican hungry for something more than they have been receiving. Never fret, I’ve been cooking…. I cordially invite you to now take the foot out of your mouth and have a bite of this delightfully prepared “humble pie” you’ll grow big and strong and become the kind of men seeking non partisanship and new unity the nation really needs.

Please help us heal.