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.

The pot calling the kettle "BLACK!"

Everyone is equally as concerned about the economy these days as everyone else. The bailout's and misunderstanding as well as misuse of the bailouts has caused its requisite share of grief also. The finger pointing has begun and it is fast and furious. There is no shortcoming of blame from any angle and I blame EVERYONE !!!! we all sat at the table and each played a role even if it was, hear no evil, say no evil, see no evil. To add even more disgust to the situation, the good people of AIG have decided to put a cherry on top of the "screw you" sundae they served the American people by handing out extreme bonuses to the people that helped them into this dire situation. Now as a people ....I believe we are going to handle that. The eyes are on it and the action has already begun to look into this heinous injustice.... Something I would have not remotely expected with the previous administration.

Now what I do have the big problem with is the pot calling the kettle black....

After the revelation of the scandal Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley speaking "rhetorically" made comments during an interview with Iowa radio station WMT. During the interview, Grassley endorsed what he viewed as Japan's corporate model, saying it is customary for failed executives to either relinquish their posts or commit suicide in disgrace. "In the case of the Japanese, they usually commit suicide before they make any apology," he said during that interview.

To me this is hysterically laughable,

If this is the punishment fit the crime scenario that is now envisioned by Senator Grassley....the same measuring stick applied sooner would never have seen GWB elected, AT ALL FOR ANY OFFICE, let alone the presidency. I don't know if he has amnesia, alzheimers, or dimentia but GWB ran lots of businesses into the ground before he was finally rewarded with the Presidency of the United States, with which he continued the plummeting tradition. Senator, If you voted for him or the policies that have contributed to the financial ruination of America and haven't offed yourself politically or otherwise, then this statement is utter and complete hypocrisy. This is essentially the pot calling the kettle black and perhaps Senator, you also should take a deep bow and embrace the sword....

Sticks and Stones.....

There has been a lot of animosity over the recent posting of a cartoon by the NY Post that not only painted a disparaging picture for America....but also for the way the rest of the world sees us. We have come a long way ...and at the same time ....not so much. The conspiracy theorist , charlatans, race-baiters, activist and the like all came to pay homage in their respective way and we have heard calls from apologies, to the freedom of speech to job termination's and sanctions from people like Reverend Al..... Most recently even Musician and apparently politcal activist John Legend has written an open letter to the editor regarding this suddenly ubiquitous cartoon.... Thank goodness Uncle Rupert decided to make an unprecedented apology for this heinous hideous image presented by his media storefront.... and I hope this issue will once again find darkness instead of light.

I was talking to someone this morning about this and they said something that made me ponder.... "if Obama isn’t concerned about it we shouldn’t be either," I tend to agree with this analysis. I think from a race baiting perspective, this is a elementary attempt to divide the nation and re-conquer it. I was equally as appalled as everyone else when I first saw this detestable rendering, but as I ponder it more. I think we should go back to sticks and stones…. While J. legend does a good job of voicing his opinion….Which he does eloquently ….but it’s just his opinion… and everyone has one, including the fascist editor and the Klan loving cartoonist (asshole that he may be, LOL …. I don’t know him but that’s just my opinion). The Al Sharpton’s of the world have a distinct and exacting gift of inciting and escalating distractions to the level where they become the issue, when what they are, they should remain,….distractions we should ignore. The mission we have is too great to be plundered by the onslaught of distractions that are sure to come in the very near future… We need to react to these poignant distractions with an all to effective “Obama Cool.” Trust me it will incense the haters far more than a hate response will. We as a nation are in a dire situation and we as a whole should be focused on the real issues that are affecting our nation right now… The ECONOMY and supporting our new presidents ambitious and comprehensive initiatives…. Sticks and stones may break our bones but these petulant, childish, bigoted, ignorant, racist, inciting names should no longer hurt us…… Cream always rises to the top…. Just my humble opinion….

Accepting others as we want to be accepted

I guess no ones perfect least of all me...so I cant really criticize.... It takes all kinds in different situations......we gotta learn to accept the good with the bad.... As long as a person isn't trying to do me any harm....I can love them as God wants us too....What we say and do arent nearly as important as who we are......brothers and sisters in Christ. I have an overdeveloped sense of humor sometimes....and my brother can attest....I have some Joe Biden Gaffes sometimes.... I manage somehow accidentally to unknowingly say the exact wrong thing at precisely the wrong time.... and not have a clue that what I said was innapropriate.....it's one of my flaws that I can work on and work on and work on that I can never seem to fix.... do you have some that you are aware of that you'd like to share?