Indifferent, Incendiary and Ire: The Making Of A New America

Like most Americans and humans around the globe, I was profoundly saddened by the senseless, savage beating of 16 year old Derrion Albert of Chicago on last week. The news brought an instant ache to my heart and tear to my eye. Days later a devastating typhoon ravaged the Philippines, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Unemployment continues to soar, homes are still being lost to the foreclosures, uncertainty and fear of the unknown inhabits the hearts and minds of people daily. A poor economy, war and threat of terrorism are not new in America. This is not the first time that this nation has faced multiple issues. Yet, this time it’s different. This time we have a scapegoat. This time the finger of blame is poking the eyes of our 44th President in an effort to knock him off stride and sabotage his plans. But is President Obama to blame? Should those fingers of blame not only poke the eyes of former leaders but also current political court jesters whose sole purpose for rising in the morning is to create a political atmosphere so hostile that it causes the ultimate demise of 44? The Republican Party, Conservatives in particular, are acting like uneducated, spoiled brats that only want to be the “banker” in the monopoly game of politics. A lesser role does not meet their agenda of being able to keep the rich wealthy and the poor unhealthy. Their many manipulations, interferences and oppositions have only resulted in futile attempts to derail 44’s favorability rating. Although he has slipped in the polls, President Obama still remains favorable in the eyes of Americans. The unwillingness of those on the right to work with the administration in a true spirit of bipartisanship has caused some to resort to lies, slander, treason, unethical behaviors, manipulation and the very powerful politics of fear to rally the troops against 44. Let me break this all down for you from the perspective of a normal, average citizen concerned about the derangement that is causing this nation to no longer be united, brave or free but rather indifferent, incendiary and full of ire.

Indifference. Unemployment and health care costs are making life miserable for countless Americans. The poor and sick are being cast aside as worthless and useless, left to fend for themselves in a defenseless state. Health Care Reform would significantly contribute to the stabilization of the economy and job market. But how do the court jesters (right-wingers) respond? They fight against it. “No Government Interference!” they shout. “We won’t support any federal program that will help the indigent. Let them take care of themselves or just, well…die! In the movie, “The Ten Commandments” starring Charlton Heston, Hebrew slaves were toiling from sunrise to sunset with little to eat. The character of Moses opened up the temple grain storehouses in order to feed the people. When questioned about this by the Pharaoh, Moses replied: “the strong make many, the starving make few, the dead make none.” Moses justified raiding the temple grain to feed the slaves in order for them to have strength to build the city. I said that to say this: the unemployed need jobs, the hungry need food, the uninsured need care, and the poor need help. Yet, through their actions those on the right says, “we’re going to oppose 44 whether we agree or disagree with his policies, whether he’s right or wrong, whether he succeeds or fails. In fact, we’ll rejoice in his failures, gloat in his shortcomings and emphasize his defeats. That makes for a good patriot! We don’t care, we’re the party of NO and we proudly wear that badge. Now take that stupid dems and independents!

Incendiary: While young people are being violently killed across the country, poverty rising, homelessness increasing, diseases raging, and more students being “left behind” than ever, the court jesters continue to rally their troops against 44 in wild, hostile, unpatriotic, “constitutionally-protected?” protests around the nation. Tea parties, protests and town halls have become forums for Obama hate fests and the spewing of hate rhetoric. Protesters are yelling and carrying signs depicting 44 as the joker, Hitler, Stalin, monkeys, and other signs of disrespect. They’re angry, claiming to protest against higher taxes, health care reform, and other “administration” issues. However, posters, signs, t-shirts, and buttons suggest that these individuals are afraid of losing their beloved America to minorities, people who are Americans too! Threats against the President’s life and weapons are not unheard of at these gatherings. Thanks to the incendiary rantings of nut jobs like Beck, Limbaugh, Coulter, Palin, Hannity, and O’Reilly, the minds of many have crossed over into the valley of derangement and don’t even realize that they need health care reform for mental health treatment and meds. Nuff said.

Ire: Americans are mad! Don’t believe me? Just watch a protest. Listen to commentators. Read blogs. What is everyone so doggone mad about? Huh? 44 is less than 9 months into his young presidency and already some are calling for his impeachment and his head. This country was in dire straits before Obama took the oath of office. These same issues persisted before he moved into the White House. The difference now is that he’s being held to a higher standard under the microscope. All eyes are on the black guy. His failure would send a distorted message to America that this country was never meant to be headed by minorities. Why did we give that African American a chance? He’s failed us in 8 months! Toss him out on his hind parts! We’re mad and not going to take this anymore! Let’s stir up dissension and incite riots by letting conservative talking heads fill our empty brains with biased, heated rhetoric that can easily cause us to commit dastardly acts of treason, violence or worse. We even intend to change the bible to become more “conservative-friendly” and remove any “liberal” references. Word of caution conservatives: “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:6. Got it guys? America as we know it, is no more.

Afterthoughts Signing Off…

S. Denice Newton
www.sandradnewton.com

B.E.F.Y., Birthing A Movement

It’s Your Life, Get B.E.F.Y With It!
(Black, Educated, Focused, Young)

It all began with an afterthought. I was sitting comfortably on the couch, drowning the day’s frustrations in a bowl of strawberry ice-cream and trying to absorb the barrage of negative messages and images pouring in on the news. An avid news watcher, I began to channel surf and found that each newscast that I watched had a similar theme: black youths involved in a criminal act or some other negative situation. This disheartening discovery instantly put me in a “thinking mode.” I thought about the numerous students that I have worked with over the last 10 years who have done well academically and avoided the destructive lifestyles that the media projects. I thought to myself, “this is just not fair. The media would have us believe that black youth are nothing more than “at-risk, disadvantaged, impoverished, gang-banging, drug-dealing, baby-making, welfare-receiving, language-killing, school-dropping, responsibility-dodging, prison-filling, violent second class citizens doomed to failure.” I beg to differ. You see, black youth are unique and their needs must be effectively identified and met. Black people have overcome many trials, tribulations, and odds. This is no different. Yes, it seems as though we’re losing an entire generation of black youth. However, somewhere in the midst of the negative data and statistics lies faith—the type of faith that rested securely in the belly of slaves. The faith that screamed, “hold on, this will all be over soon. One day freedom will be more than just a dream of the oppressed but rather a reality that will lead future generations to the mountaintop.” As I continued to reflect, I heard a still voice whisper softly in my ear, “don’t like what you’re seeing and hearing? Then, do something about it. You have the ability and God is with you. Go forth on a mission to help save black youth in America.” After hearing this “crazy” thought, I reflected some more. How can I, one individual, make an impact that will be big enough to transform the lives of black youth? This is an impossible feat.” But the voice wouldn’t go away. “You believe in God and His Holy Word don’t you? If so, then you know that with God all things are possible.” As I watched and listened, I forgot all about that bowl of strawberry ice cream which was now strawberry milk. I knew that I had to come up with something that would serve as a “counter” to all the negativity. I had to give birth to a movement that would inspire, encourage, and empower black youth to say good-bye to yesterday and embrace the promises of tomorrow. I put away my melted snack and stretched out on the couch, my mind and heart racing with excitement. And then it happened. The movement that is now known as B.E.F.Y. fell softly from heaven as a spring rain. Black, Educated, Focused, and Young. Yes, that is definitely the opposite of what we see in many black youths today. I got up from the couch and ran to my computer—jotting down notes and ideas. A few days later, I received an email from Dr. Alicia Francis PhD. Dr. “Li” was promoting her new book, “K.I.M. (keep it moving) and I scheduled her as a guest on my “AfterThoughts” radio broadcast. I had decided to promote young, black professionals under age 35 that had advanced college degrees. Dr. Li’s appearance opened the door for 24 year old Licensed Clinical Therapist Denisha Warren who had obtained a Master’s degree. Denisha’s appearance was well received and opened the door for 23 year old Marcedes Fuller. Marcedes owns a consulting company and is a motivational speaker and philanthropist. His appearance paved the way for 30 year old Jacque Howard MBA. The very humble and intelligent Jacque Howard has a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Her appearance on the show drew questions and comments from adults and children alike. Just as God charged me with the B.E.F.Y. movement, he also gave me the awesome slogan: “It’s Your Life, Get B.E.F.Y. With It!” The movement is gathering steam and a good following. Tom Joyner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show sent me an email stating: “I love the B.E.F.Y. slogan!” I also received an email from Congressman John Conyers’ legislative assistant who requested more information about the program. We are planning a B.E.F.Y. networking conference in late April of 2010. This conference will be a forum for the exchanging of information and ideas as well as a platform for encouraging and inspiring others to pursue higher education. For more information please visit http://www.sandradnewton.com/ or www.blogtalkradio.com/S-Denice-Newton.

Name: B.E.F.Y. (an acronym for black, educated, focused, and young).
Slogan: It’s Your Life, Get B.E.F.Y. with It!”
Symbol/Logo: Graduates in Cap/Gown
Color(s): Green and Yellow.
Green symbolizes the following:
Prosperity, Growth, Life, New Life, Resurrection, Fresh, Flourishing, Young, Tender, Healing, Hope, Peace, Victory, Rest.
Yellow symbolized the following:
Sunshine, Happiness, Fair Weather, Friendship, Caution. Yellow has the highest visibility of the colors and can be seen at the greatest distance. It is also the color of of CAUTION.Yellow demands attention and is insistent.

Death of a Legend, End of an Era

The final curtain call has been issued for Michael Jackson. For years he sang, danced, and smiled his way into our hearts and wallets. However, he eventually morphed into something unidentifiable. Was he a man or boy? human or thing? black or white? Love him or hate him, he was a musical legend, an icon, a "one-of-a-kind" phenomenon that can never, ever be duplicated.

If you're at least 20 years old, you've been exposed to Michael's music and legacy. We've danced to it, sang it, and imitated it in many talent shows and showers across the planet. We've laughed with him and at him, we've cried for him and with him. He was Michael Jackson, the man in a distorted mirror, the mirror that said to him, "you'll never grow up. Like Peter Pan, you'll always be a boy. Fantasy is good. It keeps you from acknowledging the realities of life. You're untouchable. Do whatever seems right to you Michael. The world will support you. After all, you're Michael Jackson. Who would ever hold you accountable for your actions? Just moonwalk your way to innocence. Trust me on this one."

And so he did. He and that cracked, distorted mirror that came to be manager, public relations director, publicist, and counselor, jetsetted around the globe in search of his soul--a soul tormented by the lack of a childhood and the cost of fame, a soul restless and wandering. A soul unattached from reality. He never found that soul. Instead, he found a remedy for the pain that resulted from his lost soul. He found it in drugs like Demerol and Oxycotin.

Anyone with a reasonably functioning brain should have been able to see that Michael Jackson was a "train wreck" waiting to happen. No one goes from being to dark brown to paper white due to a skin problem. No, it just doesn't happen like that. He looked like a pre-school child's playdough mold. He had no nose. He was painfully thin. His hair was a hot mess. Come on now, don't get mad at me. I'm not smearing his memory. I loved Mike too. But I love the truth more.

Help me to understand something. Why do we humans, when we escape the consequences of an action that we committed, continue to do wrong? When are we going to say, "okay, I escaped that one so I'm gonna straighten up and fly right?" But instead, we push our luck like the gambler who was able to win back what he spent gambling but decided in his warped mind that he's lucky enough to double or triple his winnings if he continues to play. Sad commentary indeed. So was the life of Michael Jackson.

Debbie Rowe slithers from the woodwork and announces that the two children she had with Mike wasn't his biologically. No, say it ain't so! He was NOT the father? Wow, Maury Povich missed a great opportunity with this one. Who on God's green earth really believed that those "pure" white children came from his loins? I don't care if you bleach yourself into oblivion, you can't bleach DNA or sperm. Debbie Rowe, you're stupid!

Well, I guess all that's left to say is goodbye. Bye Mike, thanks for the 50 years of music, dances, and comedy. Thanks for leaving your mark. But most of all Michael Jackson, thanks for setting the music bar high enough that current and future artists will have to develop and carry their "A" game at all times. Good Bye Michael, Good Bye Legend.

AfterThoughts Signing Off....

The Deafening Silence Of Your Absence: A Letter To Daddy

I've worked with children for many years and get to see up close and personal the devastating effects of fatherless children. Trust me, it is not a pretty picture. This blog is a letter from the heart of a child, explaining life as it should not be, when daddy is a non-factor. Although it is entirely fictional, it isn't, unfortunately, entirely unrealistic.

~S. Denice Newton

Monday, June 22, 2009

Dear Daddy:

I don't know your real name so I'll call you daddy even though you're not one. I wanted to say happy father's day to you on yesterday but you weren't here. I'm writing to you on the day after father's day because I want you to know what it feels like to have an important day go unrecognized; you know, days like my birthday, Christmas, and other times when most fathers are around and enjoying their kids.

I'm hurting daddy and it's all your fault. It's not the falls from my bike that hurt me. It's not the stomach aches that kept me awake through the night that hurts. It's not even the dreaded needles that the doctor gives that brings me pain. No, it is the deafening silence of your absence. It is a pain like no other. There is no amount of children's tylenol that can take it away. No, it only grows worse as I age.

It all began at conception. You and mom came together as one. It doesn't matter if it happened as the result of a real love affair or a "heat-of-the-moment" fit of passion. All that matters is that I resulted. You don't know this but at the very moment of copulation, hope rose up and possibility sprang forth from your loins. When you reached the acme of the moment, you sent me bursting forth in search of life. I found it in the safety and security of my mother's womb and nestled there without a care in the world. No, all was well. As I grew and developed, I became aware of voices. Of course, mom's voice was the most familiar. She talked about me a lot. She made plans and preparations. Sometimes she got sick and wished that I wasn't inside her but I knew she really didn't mean it. Other times I heard her fears. She wondered how she would care for me but I wasn't concerned. I wanted to assure her that you would be there to help. Sometimes she cried and the "inner tears" would fall softly upon my face. I first heard your voice when mom told you about me. I was so excited! "Daddy is gonna be so thrilled to know that I'm coming," I thought to myself. But the voice that responded to the news was not so pleasant. In fact, the voice was angry and accused mom of telling lies. I was confused yet, I held on to the hope that daddy would come around. Finally, the day came for me to meet the world. I had been preparing for nine whole months and had the strength to push and navigate my way through the channel of life.

Once I passed through the birth channel, I began listening for your voice. I found the deafening silence of your absence. I entered the world in the hands of a doctor and after God breathed the breath of life into my nostrils, I opened my eyes and looked for you. You were not there. I looked at mom. Even though she'd just endured the trauma of childbirth and was completely exhausted, she looked beautiful. I looked around the room and saw several unfamiliar faces looking down at me. Strange though, no daddy.

Mom and I soon went home to begin our new life together. She took real good care of me. She still loved me even when I would scream out in hunger in the middle of the night. Mom would get out of bed, her eyes red with fatigue and see to my needs and comforts. I still looked for you. You were not there. "Maybe he'll come soon," I often said. Babysitters became a part of my life. Mom would get up early in the morning, wash and dress me, feed me and take me to the sitter. She often looked so very tired. As soon as she picked me up from my bed in the mornings, I would smile at her and touch her face. I wanted her to know that it would be okay. She would smile back and give me a "thank you" kiss. I loved those moments.

When I took my first steps, it was mom that stood ready to catch me if I fell. It was mom who said, "you can do it. Don't be afraid. I'm here." Once I mastered the walking thing, I went room-to-room in search of you. "He has to be here someplace," I said. But once again, I encountered the deafening silence of your absence. I learned to walk, run, and ride bikes. I learned to dress myself, brush my teeth, and use the potty. I learned to count, say the alphabet, and memorize my address. All under the watchful eye and praises of my mom. But no daddy.

The real pain began when I started school. I was in Kindergarten. Mom and other family members and friends made sure that I had what I needed: a backpack, new clothes, and school supplies. When mom took me to school on the very first day, we passed a lot of moms and dads in the hallways. My heart pounded with excitement. "Daddy has to be here," I thought. I looked at each and every daddy face, hoping to see my own reflection. But they were all with other little boys and girls. Once I was settled into my classroom, hope began to fade. The deafening silence of your absence was getting stronger and louder.

Throughout my school years, I secretly longed for you to show up for parent-teacher conferences, for school musicals, award ceremonies, and anything else that called for parental involvement and support. You never came. Mom knew the pain that I was feeling. I'd often ask about you. She would talk about you but with disappointment in her eyes. She hurt for me. Yet, she never talked bad about you. She encouraged me to just "pray" that God will touch your heart so that you would one day open your eyes and see what you were missing. But for me, the deafening silence of your absence drowned out any communication between me and God. The pain was just too great and my longing soon turned to bitterness and hatred. Constant rejection will do that.

I needed a daddy's influence in my life. I needed daddy to teach me things that mom couldn't. It was supposed to be a partnership. Mom teach some things, you teach others. But mom taught 100%. It was so hard for her. Sometimes I acted up and got into lots of trouble because I was angry. I was angry with you. The deafening silence of your absence pierced my eardrums and caused me many days of pain, imbalance, and hearing loss. I began to hear only negative voices and influences. They spoke the loudest. Just like your absence.

My high school days were the worst. With mom working so hard, I had very little supervision and intervention. I drank alcohol. I used drugs. I ran with gangs. I broke the law. I didn't care anything about consequences. Consequences didn't care anything about me. You know all about that though. I became a juvenile delinquent who made frequent trips to juvenile lock up facilities. Mom cried. A lot. I hated to hurt her but I couldn't control my actions. After all, I am my daddy's child right? Irresponsibility was my middle name. Poor judgement was my clothing. Bad decisions made up my DNA.

I dropped out of school and became a full time gamin--a street urchin, a public nuisance. From petty crimes to extreme violence, I did it all. I was an "equal opportunity" criminal and did not discriminate based on race, gender, or economic status. Everyone was my target. Mom cried some more. She blamed herself for getting involved with you. She felt that my actions were the direct result of your absence. She was right. Every time I committed a crime, I thought about you and how I would have welcomed the opportunity to inflict pain in your life. But being the coward that you are, you never came around. I never got the opportunity. In some ways, you are very lucky.

Mom finally gave up on me. Do you know how that feels? A mother's love is so deep and so unconditional that we take for granted that it would always be available. And it is. But everyone has limits and when I pushed mom far beyond hers, she finally gave up on me. And when she did, the evil forces of life accosted me. I committed a heinous crime which put me behind bars for life at the tender age of 19. Thanks daddy, you should be proud. The deafening silence of your absence permeated the core of my very being and dictated my life's course.

Happy belated Father's Day, wherever you are. Know that I've been shaped and molded by your absence. Your gift to me has resulted in negative consequences which threaten my very existence. I was conceived in hope, raised in hopelessness, and will now die in both physical and emotional pain. I've finally learned how to communicate with God past the deafening silence of your absence. I've asked him to forgive me for all of my wrongdoings, even the hatred that I have for you. I've heard that He is a just God and if He is, He will forgive me. I'm also praying that he opens your eyes one last time to the news headline of the day that read
"ABSENCE IRRESPONSIBLE JR., DIED BY LETHAL INJECTION TODAY AT 12:01 AM. HIS CRIME: A BUSTED EARDRUM AND BROKEN HEART."

Are you happy now DADDY? I am no more.

Signed,

Your Son
Absence Irresponsible Jr.

Out Of The Woodwork Comes The Truth: Racism, Republicans, and Religious Kooks

I love to write. When I was a little girl, I'd be in my room writing when my sisters and other children in the neighborhood were riding bikes, playing games, skateboarding, or whatever. I realized very young that words had power. Lots of power. For me, reading and writing offered an escape from daily life. Not that my life was so terrible--but it was kinda boring. Through reading I could visit exotic places, dine in palaces, share breathing space with royalty (except Queen Elizabeth, she's too snobby), or witness blossoming romances fully bloom. Through writing I could run the palaces, become royalty, or be the girl that was the object of the "Prince Charming" affection. Oh, the power and potential of words!

Normally when I write blogs, I try to do so in the least offensive way possible. For you see, I understand the power of words whether written or spoken. I frequently write about politics, particularly on the subject of the breakdown and demise of the GOP. Now, I don't write about this topic to offend. I write about this subject because I'm troubled. It's one thing to see elected officials and others in the public eye become targets of hatred from the right. But when it happens to me personally, I'm fighting back using the power of words! Whoever is offended is offended. I have friends and acquaintances who are registered Republicans and it is because of them that I try to voice my opinion as forcefully as I can without "dumping on them." It's becoming increasingly difficult to avoid. Today, the gloves are off!

I really don't know how any mentally-functioning, sane, professional, sincere member of the Republican party can be proud and accepting of the things going on within it. Pushing Limbaugh (that's extremely difficult to do), O'Reilly, Hannity, Gingrich, Cheney, and Steele aside for a moment, I find others who are forcing the party to a state of non-relevance and to the brink of extinction. Now, I fully understand that there is no way to police and muzzle every individual in this country. That would be impossible. But I'll tell you this, whenever I hear about or personally encounter racism, hatred, or divisiveness from the right, I'm calling it out!

Before I get to my personal encounter, let me recap some of the week's event. Dr. George Tiller is assassinated for performing abortions. They wouldn't even respect the man's funeral. Some showed up in protest with signs that read, "God sent the killer." "Abortion is bloody." The man was killed in a church by a "right-thinker." Guess no one told the shooter that the bible says "thou shall not kill." It also states, "vengeance is mine and I will repay," saith the Lord. For those of you on the right that don't know what that means, it is saying that God will rightfully judge and it's not our job to do so! So, Mr. Holy man kills the man that kills babies. And he's going to heaven how? He's not a vigilante, he's a criminal! Yet, some righties consider this man a hero. God help this country if another Republican takes the Oval Office.

Nutcase 2: John Zaubler. Fool calls 911 and reports that he's going to blow up Supreme Court nominee Sotomayor because he don't want his girlfriend to go to federal prison. He also threatens to blow up President Obama. Sounds like a stable, mentally-sound man to me. NOT!!

And then there's Daniel James Murray. Who is he? Please let me tell you. This registered owner of 8 guns, according to a news report, is known for strolling down the street wearing a cape while talking to himself. His own father says he's sick and has been so for about 10 years.

This one goes into a bank, asks if the bank is solvent, and states: "I'm sure if citizens happen to lose their money, they will rise up and we could see killings and deaths." This lunatic then withdraws more than $80,000 but not before stating to the teller that he was on a mission to kill President Obama. The right-wing talking heads in this country should be proud to know that their mission and purpose is being carried out and fulfilled. Literally.

I'm saving my personal encounter for last but before I go there, allow me to "build a case." I'm a Christian who happens to be a Democrat. And for some on the right, that's a definite oxymoron. Democrats can't possibly be Christians because they're "pro-choice." I'm not as pro-choice as I am "pro- God- will- judge." I am the type of Christian that believe in serving God in spirit and in truth as the bible commands. I am a member of a church that I frequent several times a week. I pray. I worship and praise the God of planet earth. I give my service, my tithes, and my faithfulness to the ministry. I love people and am wounded when we "murder" each other whether physically, emotionally, mentally or otherwise. I don't serve God in lip service only or when it furthers my cause or agenda. I am true to my Savior.

Now, my personal encounter. I have a talk radio show entitled, "AfterThoughts With S. Denice Newton." On yesterday, Saturday, June 6, 2009, I had three awesome guests on the show: Vegas Don, a former gang founder and leader turned community activist, Pegine Echevarria, former girl gang member turned motivational speaker, educator, author, and activist, and Investigator T. Griffin, head of the gang task force in Albany, Georgia. We were having a powerful discussion on the effects of gangs on our children and what can be done to stop the building momentum. I had a caller who came on and began to insult us with words like: "I hate all niggers!" "All niggers need to be killed!" Well, initially I was shocked because that had never happened to me before on air. But I remained calmed and hung up. I then stated to my listeners that I would not entertain that nonsense. My guests agreed and we carried on our conversation. My two male guests stated that the jobs they do is to protect people such as the ignorant caller and his family from gang violence.

As the conversation continued, I checked my chat room for comments. Guess what? This individual and others bombarded my chat room with racist comments about black people, President Obama, and other black leaders including police. They stated, "the south will rise again!" "I'm a member of the KKK!" "White Power!" They also began to make sexual, degrading comments about me and referred to me constantly as a black bitch. I didn't get angry. Honestly I didn't. I became saddened. It saddened me that in 2009, the 21st century, the new millennium, we're still dealing with these type of things. The worst part of it all was that these were very young white boys. I know that none of them were over age 21. I could just tell. But the hatred that they spewed was real. It was deep. This simple response threw them off course and took the wind from their sails: "We're not moved by your ignorance. Your day of reckoning is near." They began to ask: "what does that mean?" what the h--l is she talking about? what is reckoning?" From there began a vicious attack and verbal assault on me because they didn't know what the phrase meant. Finally, one of them came up with the answer. I'm sure he googled it. When he told them that it meant that they would be held accountable and judged for their actions one day, they turned their assaults on God, the bible, and Christianity. So very sad.

Anyway, I really hope that those on the right who are still having a hard time accepting Barack Obama as President of this country, would pause and look at the damage that is being caused. This new generation of racists are more dangerous than in the past. They are mentally deranged, drugged out, and full of demonic influence. With all the negativity that fills the airways daily from pundits and commentators, it's no small wonder that these things are happening. George Bush was not, I repeat, was not treated like this!! It is all because of President Barack Obama that these termites are coming out of the woodwork and inflicting fear of multiplication on society.

AfterThoughts Signing Off...

Republican Extremists: Terrorists In Political Clothing

I was recently asked this question by a 19 year old: "Why is it that the Republicans are always on television and radio saying bad stuff about the President and other people but nobody comes on to say things about them?" Although the question seemed simple enough to answer, I actually had to pause and ponder.

"After a few moments of pausing and pondering, I concluded that although many others do in fact rebut and counter statements made by some Republicans, the Republicans make their points more forcefully, rudely, loudly, arrogantly, and ignorantly, thus appearing to hold the stronger, more effective position. It is indeed appearance only.

I'm not anti-Republican. Really I'm not. But something has run amok in America as it pertains to the GOP. Something has gone horribly wrong. Something has turned the party of Lincoln and Reagan into a club of mean-spirited, hateful, paranoid, vitriolic racists. These guys don't get it. They just don't get it. They feel that it is their "patriotic" duty to save the country from the big bad wolf called Barack Obama and his big bad compatriots known as Democrats and liberals. They intend to save it by ANY MEANS NECESSARY! Let me use some specific examples to bolster my thought.

Let's take the first look at Scott Roeder, the assassin who ended the life of Dr. George Tiller, owner of the Women's Health Care Clinic in Wichita, Kansas. Roeder killed Tiller at church because of his performing abortions. It has been stated by family members that Roeder suffers from mental illness. Couple that with extreme rhetoric from the likes of, let's say, ummmm, Bill O'Reilly, and you have danger on your hands. O'Reilly has referred to Tiller on more than one occasion as "an executioner" but states that he bears no responsibility for his death. Maybe not directly but probably very indirectly. A mentally ill individual with a deep desire to be known and revered, will do almost anything, including murder. What's this? TERRORISM!

Next up, Hal Turner, Talk Radio Host. This crazed individual is identified as a white supremacist and anti-semite. Turner threatened to release home addresses of several state officials in reaction to a controversial bill affecting the way that Roman Catholic churches are governed. These are his words as reported by the Huffington Post: The comments in question included, "It is our intent to foment direct action against these individuals personally. These beastly government officials should be made an example of as a warning to others in government: Obey the Constitution or die," and "If any state attorney, police department or court thinks they're going to get uppity with us about this, I suspect we have enough bullets to put them down, too."
These sorts of threats of impending violence are nothing new to Turner.
In December of 2006, Turner called for political assassinations:
"We may have to ASSASSINATE some of the people you elect on Nov. 7! This could be your LAST ELECTION CHANCE, to save this Republic... Sorry to have to be so blunt, but the country is in mortal danger from our present government and our liberty is already near dead because of this government. If you are too stupid to turn things around with your vote, there are people out here like me who are willing to turn things around with guns, force and violence. We hope our method does not become necessary."
In March of 2008, when Sean Hannity was confronted with having been previously associated with Turner, Hannity's forceful denials seemed to anger a betrayed Turner:
I was quite disappointed when Sean Hannity at first tried to say he didn't know me and then went on to say that I ran some senate campaign in New Jersey. In fact, Sean Hannity does know me and we were quite friendly a number of years ago.
Turner went on to threaten: "Another big difference is that I am perfectly willing to use force and violence against my enemies while Sean Hannity and others are not. Those using me as a prop to attack Sean Hannity would do well to remember this fact."
A month later, Turner was inciting violence against Paul B. Ash, the Lexington, Massachusetts superintendent of schools:
"I advocate parents using FORCE AND VIOLENCE against Superintendent Paul B. Ash as a method of defending the health and safety of school children presently being endangered through his politically-correct indoctrination into deadly, disease-ridden sodomite lifestyles. The Huff Post article goes on to suggest that Turner's actions goes beyond the protection offered by the First Amendment's freedom of speech. It states:"Mr. Turner's comments are above and beyond the threshold of free speech," Capitol Police Chief Michael J. Fallon said in an e-mail announcing the warrant. "He is inciting others through his website to commit acts of violence and has created fear and alarm. He should be held accountable for his conduct." Okay, do you hear me now? Hey Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, Beck, Bachmann, Palin, et. al. are you listening? The First Amendment does not and should not offer protection for criminal behaviors through speech. What's this? TERRORISM!

Turn the corner with me while I shake up Pat "the clueless" Buchanan. Normally, I'm reluctant to attack elderly persons. I love the elderly and children. But Pat Buchanan is tearing my nerves up! His presence as a talking head irritates me as much as nails on a blackboard, someone popping chewing gum, or a slow drip from a water faucet. First of all, he always look as though someone fed him lemons for dinner. His sour face alone is enough to make you remove all television sets from your home. If it wasn't so sad it would be amusing. However, this is no laughing matter. Buchanan and his far right thinking is a gift to the media in order to stir up controversy to boost ratings. This guy makes it known that he not only disapproves of President Obama's Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, but that he actually loathes her. Consider these statements by Buchanan: "Sotomayor's justice is raced-based. Her career has been advancing persons of color over whites, based on race and national origin. What's happening to white males now is what happened to blacks years ago." Will someone clue the clueless Buchanan in on the state of race in the United States? Tell him that White Males are still in the forefront of every aspect of American life. White men own most of the property, buildings, companies, corporations, high-paying jobs, and more. I guess Buchanan's comparisons to the treatment of blacks years ago was without whips, hangings, water hoses, dogs, arrests, and murders. He states on one television broadcast that white men are losing jobs, education, etc. to minorities. with all the crazies in the world today, statements like that could be the long-awaited opportunity for some mentally unstable person to commit despicable and heinous acts in the name of God and Christianity. What's this? TERRORISM!

Let's step on the curb and set our sights on Governor Sarah Palin. I still can't wrap my mind around the concept that Palin feels qualified and ready to become America's first female Commander-in-Chief. Governor Dum-Dum spoke at an event before introducing Michael Reagan (Ronnie's son) in which she verbally attacked President Obama on foreign policy. Huff Post blogger Shannyn Moore reports that Palin was in a short skirt and wearing red, platform sandals, an ideal outfit for citizens of skeezertown. Remember her campaign rhetoric regarding Obama palling around with terrorists? Those comments sparked an outcry from anti-Obama supporters of Palin that included "terrorist!, kill him!, and off with his head!" Now, she's out speaking again with her palinics, Sarah's native tongue. Her speech was a fifteen minute run-on sentence devoid of substance and full of confusion. What's this? TERRORISM!

And then there's the mentally-challenged congresswoman from Minnesota, Michelle Bachmann. (By the way Minnesota, you ain't looking to good in the eyes of the American public these days!) This nut case called for people to be armed and dangerous. Consider this statement recorded in the Huff Post: Controversial Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) said this weekend that she wants residents of her state "armed and dangerous" over President Barack Obama's plan to reduce global warming "because we need to fight back."
Asked about the White House-backed cap-and-trade proposal to reduce carbon emissions, Bachmann told WWTC 1280 AM, "I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax because we need to fight back. Thomas Jefferson told us 'having a revolution every now and then is a good thing,' and the people -- we the people -- are going to have to fight back hard if we're not going to lose our country. And I think this has the potential of changing the dynamic of freedom forever in the United States."
This type of rhetoric is sure to rally some cracked up (cocaine) heroin-addicted, demon-possessed individual with access to guns and ammunition to do whatever is necessary to take the country back. What's this? TERRORISM!

As we fix our focus on Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, N. Korea, and other areas for signs of terroristic behaviors, The United States of America continually entertain terrorists on its own soil-- those with the potential and ability to cause pandemonium and mass destruction.

AfterThoughts Signing Off...

From Gangbanging To Gamechanging: The Transformation of Two Lives

Join me on Saturday, June 6, 2009 as I welcome Pegine Echevarria, former girl gang member turned scholar, entrepreneur, author, and speaker. She has been inducted into the motivational speakers hall of fame. Also on that show we will have Otis Lyons (aka Vegas Don), who founded a street gang in Durham, NC some years ago. Today Vegas tours the country with a powerful anti-gang message and is giving back to the community that he took from through gang activity. We will also welcome Investigator Griffin of the Albany,Georgia gang task force to give us his take on the impact of gangs in smaller towns and communities. You don't want to miss this episode!

Republicans Make Me Ashamed And I'm A Democrat! By The Way, Democrats are Christians Too!

This is probably the most serious blog that I've ever written. It may very well be the most serious blog I'll ever write. I'm writing this one out of the depth of my heart, my soul, my mind, and my spirit. I'm troubled. I'm really troubled and writing this blog allows me the opportunity to confront and release.

I've never been interested in following politics. At least not until 2008. Sure, I've voted in the past, watched a few speeches in the past, and wore campaign buttons in the past. The difference was that I really didn't care if my candidate won or not. After all, a politician is a politician and they all think alike right? I mean, they all promise you milk and honey but deliver crackers and water don't they?

I've never paid much attention to Democrats or Republicans. Oh sure, I know they have opposing views on issues such as abortion, taxes, gay marriages, the role of government, etc. I've always known that. But I chose a candidate on how he looked--his image. I didn't care if he was Republican, Democrat or the two-headed freak Republicrat or Demoblican. If the guy looked sincere, sounded sincere, and acted as though he really cared about my general welfare, he had me. I went to the polls, voted for him, pinned on the "I voted" button, and returned home to await the next election cycle. That simple.

But politics turn a drastic turn for me in 2008. Hillary Clinton was running for President. Wow! A woman and someone I genuinely liked. I loved Bill Clinton as President. Bill was smooth and he could play that saxophone! Bill was likable, he seemed to be concerned for the welfare of all Americans. To me, it didn't get any better than Bill and Hillary Clinton. So guess what? I threw my whole support behind the former First Lady. A woman would be more willing to listen and not throw testosterone or testicular fits. She would reason and not be hasty. She would balance the budget with ease. She would stand before foreign dignitaries with grace and power. She would be reluctant to declare war but rather compromise and make the two parties shake hands and be friends. You know, like all moms do. But then something happened. A subtle, gentle breeze blew in this Senator from Chicago. He flashed a million dollar, winning smile and a mind so brilliant that Einstein could be sent to a special education class.

Who is this guy attempting to steal the Clinton's thunder? Who is this handsome black guy with the beautiful black family? What makes this dude think that he can possibly do what Jesse Jackson couldn't do? Become President? Yeah, right. I didn't like him. I'd read all the rumors on the net about his religion (Muslim), his heritage (Kenyan), and his ties to colorful characters like Tony Rezko and Bill Ayers. Hmmm. He's cool and all, but he can't beat my girl Hillary. Go Hillary!

I rejected everything about Barack Obama. His name was goofy and sounded un-american. His ears were big. He was from Hawaii. Is that really part of the United States? Hillary did well for a while. But then she made the ultimate mistake in my opinion. She cried. She cried when she lost the Iowa caucus. Now, my mind began to change. She can't cry or become emotional as President. God, how would that be perceived by those tyrants and despots like the leaders of Iran, North Korea, and Iraq? They would have her for dinner and use her bones for toothpicks.

I turned a slow, reluctant ear towards this guy from Chicago. He was fighting an uphill battle. I still didn't like him a whole lot but I did find him interesting. The media and most Americans swore that he couldn't win. "America would rather have a white woman than a black man in the white house" I'd hear often. Yet, he continued on. He was loaded with information and armed with deep knowledge of American politics. He was for real. He was undeterred and completely focused. Mud was thrown at him frequently. He would wipe it off and smile at the slingers, promising to be a President to all--even those who dirtied his clothes.

I began to thaw. The Jeremiah Wright thing had to be the ultimate Obama-killer right? Sorry, that was wrong. It only proved to be a temporary distraction. His momentum continued and his supporters grew. I was becoming a puddle of water. This guy was winning me over. Why? I-m-a-g-e. He began to look quite presidential and I began to envision him in the oval office. I'm getting to the whole embarrassed by Republicans, Democrats are Christians too issue. Bear with me here. I told you that this is going to be a serious blog.

I'm not necessarily anti-Republican or pro-Democrat. As I mentioned before, the guy with the best image got my vote. But the Republicans today, particularly those of the conservative bunch, are making fools of themselves in many ways. I am extremely embarrassed by those representing the Republican party. Who could possibly be proud of Rush Limbaugh? Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, Dick Cheney, Newt Gingrich or Michael Steele? You don't have to be an Obama supporter to be respectful of the office. I have never in my life seen such blatant disrespect for a Commander-in-Chief as I've seen towards this President. As a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, it is a despicable thing to witness. And no, George W. was not treated this horribly!

The aforementioned bunch, bombard the airwaves with misleading information, half-truths, and outright lies. The bitterness and hatred that they have for President Obama causes them to go into these rants of insanity, complete with swollen veins and bulging eyes. They oppose each and everything that the President does with no forethought. Cheney and Gingrich didn't speak this much when they were relevant! Cheney needs to shut his pie hole, Gingrich needs to seek therapy, Limbaugh needs to become the "biggest loser," and Steele, well, he needs to research the word "token." I'm sure he'll find his name right next to it. No one, not even those in his party, really respects this guy. They thought he'd be the answer to Obama to stop his momentum but they quickly learned that Steele was way out of his league.

These guys are so deprived of political oxygen that they're flailing around like fish out of water. Who can take them seriously? They appear (and remember my position about image) incompetent, unsure, disjointed and divided. At this point they couldn't lead a team of toddler ball players. It certainly doesn't help that they constantly oppose the President without cause.

Regarding abortion and homosexuality, I oppose both. Yes, this liberal democrat is against abortion and homosexuality. Why? Because they are both biblical no-nos. Conservatives want to scream and holler about their religious beliefs when it comes to homosexuals. But they're forgetting one important thing. If they read the bible they'll see where it is already written: Romans 1:26-27: "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet." This scriptures let's me know that homosexuality is a reality and that consequences as a result will come. My point? Although homosexuality is indeed wrong, it is a choice to be made by individuals. So many want to point to the "founding fathers and constitution" to bolster their arguments about what should and should not happen in America. But choice is something that comes along with freedom. And at last check, people in this country are free to choose.

Even God himself does not make man serve him. Instead, he gives man choices and hopes that he makes the right decisions. Consider these scriptures: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
“Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.” (Proverbs 3:31)
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17) (If we had no choice, then knowing to do good would necessarily result in doing good.)

My point here is that homosexuality is indeed a choice and not a freak occurrence at conception and with that being the case, the President or no one else has the authority to tell these folks what they can do with their individual liberties. It is God's job to judge and He will do just that. Some Republicans are now directing their hostility, bitterness, and rage at President Obama's choice for the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor. They have gone as far as call her a bigot and racist based on a comment she made years ago that was taken out of context. Rush Limbaugh took this one and ran. Well, he probably trotted because his big frame certainly can't handle running. Newt Gingrich added his unsolicited "two cents," and Pat Buchanan, the old gentlemen who really needs to get a clue, verbally attacked her as well. Do these Republicans know that the general public is watching them and concluding that "Insanity in the Ranks" is their slogan and the straight jacket their new symbol?

I'm embarrassed by the GOP. It is one thing to try and become relevant and respected again. It is quite another to try and do so by any means necessary. The American public is smart enough to identify a game, gimmick, plot or ploy. We won't have our minds manipulated or intelligence insulted. There are many well-respected Republican politicians in Washington, DC and around the globe. It would behoove the party to hunt one, tie him up, and thrust him kicking and screaming before the public if they want to become real contenders and party of relevance.

AfterThoughts Signing Off...

America Underestimated The Power Of Image and Hope

It's all about image. And on November 4, 2008, image adorned herself in a sea of red, white, and blue, proclaiming loudly and boldly: "Change has come to America! Now is the time to depart from the political status quo! Now is the time to seek common ground as we embrace a new direction, a new era, and a renewed hope in the greatness of this nation!" Change opened the heart of America. Image opened the eyes of America. Hope opened the heart of America.

You see, it really wasn't the Republican's message that was so brutally rejected. They talked a pretty good game. They promised lower taxes, stood firmly against abortion and gay marriages, and ran on a platform of experience. Mr. McCain was tough. The war hero instilled a sense of pride and gratitude in most Americans when recalling his grueling days as a POW. One would have to be a devil incarnate not to feel a sense of gratitude to Senator McCain for his very unselfish sacrifice while protecting this nation during war. So what was rejected? Why did many Independents and some Republicans turn away from the GOP and to the Democrats in the 2008 Presidential election? Five letters, two syllables: IMAGE. Four letters, one syllable. HOPE.

During the election, Image said that Repbulicans were racist, bitter, and fearful of anything new and different. McCain's town hall meetings (pre-Palin) were dry, boring, and lacked substance. The crowds were so thin that he could have fit them all at his dinner table. After selecting Palin as a running mate, the much larger crowds at the rallies showed racist attitudes and called for harm to come to Senator Obama. The McCain/Palin ticket did little to stop it. For the Democrats, Image said that they were caring, compassionate, intelligent, and refreshing. America was ready to see something different, say something different, and be something different. Image afforded them that great opportunity.

Anything that Image was unable to do, hope brought home. Hope blanketed the nation as a quick moving snowstorm; beautiful to behold and strong enough to cripple entire states. Hope was not the result of blind following, party loyalty, or racial preference. It was the anxious desire to see a nation guilty of the bondage and oppression of human beings correct her wrongs. It was the belief that the last can become first--that equality was not just a dream yet to be fulfilled.

Barack Obama's amazing ability to connect with the hearts of Americans strengthened hope. In him was the hope that the family home of 30+ years could be saved from foreclosure, that the family salary would be able to survive the economic crisis, that the ailing elderly person would be able to continue obtaining life-sustaining medications, that young people in this country could still attend college, and that loved ones fighting the deceptive, senseless war in Iraq would soon return home. His unwillingness to back down or give up when negative news reports saturated the airwaves opened the closed doors of hope, allowing it to break forth with power.

Pretty speeches and racial support did not and could not deliver victory to Obama on a silver platter. Although they certainly had their place in the campaign and election, it was ultimately America's desire to see and welcome change that trounced the GOP and deprived them of political oxygen.

Image broke the back of the GOP. Hope was the stretcher that carried them away.

AfterThoughts Signing Off...

I Know Why Barack Obama Is President

Never Underestimate The Power Of Hope

From the start, the odds were against him. A virtual unknown. An inexperienced Senator from Illinois. A half black man rumored to be a Muslim. A Christian under the leadership of a black, radical Pastor. A man in America with a very Muslim, foreign sounding name. An American? Indonesian? Kenyan? What's on the birth certificate? Although viewed with some skepticism, he was followed with intrigue.

When Barack H. Obama threw his name into the political ring to compete for the Presidency of the United States, very few took him seriously. After all, he had to go up against some stiff competition--H. Clinton, J. Edwards, J. Biden, C. Dodd, D. Kucinich, and B. Richardson. Surely that guy with the weird name would succumb to the popularity and power of say, Hillary Clinton and Chris Dodd.

But perseverance ruled the day. Barack Obama was neither intimidated or reluctant to press forward in his goal to be America's Commander-in-Chief. He was ridiculed in some ways, mocked in others. Along the way he lost friends and acquaintances. Yet, his focus remained on Pennsylvania Avenue. He trotted along, like that little engine that could, amid death threats, and open hostility. When the field was finally narrowed down to two, Obama and Clinton, a shift began. Barack Obama was now a serious contender for the oval office, and all eyes were on him.

Hillary Clinton supporters were at a loss for words. This was not supposed to happen. She was expected to lock up the nomination and send baby boy Obama packing, with his thumb in his mouth, back to Chicago until he "grew up some more" and matured politically. However, the delegate numbers that he began racking up was a force to be reckoned with and ultimately proved to be too much for the former First Lady.

Once he defeated the popular and well-liked Hillary Clinton, jaws dropped and hearts stopped. He beat Hillary Clinton? Wow. As with the Tea Baggers, the PUMA movement (party unity my a--) used the occasion to rally anti-Obama voters across the nation. Bitter, hateful, divisive, vitriolic feelings peppered the nation. Many Hillary supporters threatened to vote Republican before supporting Barack Obama. Still undeterred, Obama looked forward to his next fight; his next victim. The aging Senator from Arizona and war hero, John McCain.

By now, Mr. Obama had acquired the attention of the entire nation, the world even. Could it be? Could it possibly happen? Could a man of African descent actually defeat his opponent and become leader of the free world? The skeptics remained. They would not be silenced. But in spite of it all, he stayed on course.

His unwillingness to give up or be "punked down" by political heavyweights, strengthened his character and resolve. His "youth," hippiness, and ability to connect to any and every voting bloc and constituent made him an icon of sorts. Young people begin to take notice. Black people began to listen. Whites, Latinos, and Asians began to pay attention. His speeches and mantra of "change" began to instill hope and excitement. Black Americans held their breath while daring to believe; afraid that they would be rudely awakened from a beautiful dream. Hope left the shores of Africa in the belly of slaves. Hope was tossed to and fro during the voyage to America, yet it survived and firmly fastened itself to the spirits of African captives in America. Hope endured the lash. Hope would bend but never break when the sun's heat beamed violently down upon the heads of slaves. Hope would caress the mother who was torn from her children and ripped from her husband during slave trades. Hope would catch the tears that flowed from eyes that could only see bondage as freedom became a fading memory.

And so, Barack Obama stayed the course. Hope's power increased. Obama connected in an unprecedented manner with voters across the land. He used technology to his advantage; reaching millions of unregistered voters. Something new and exciting was sweeping the nation. How could the momentum be stopped? Republicans and others who opposed the fresh, new movement dug up everything but the bones of Judas Iscariot to cripple Obama's candidacy. At times it seemed that they would prevail. Jeremiah Wright became an Achilles heel. Obama's reference to small town citizens clinging to guns and religions became a daily talking point. His wife Michelle's "For the first time in my adult life" statement sent political pundits and commentators into a complete frenzy, not to mention stupor. None were able to derail the plan.

As election night 2008 drew closer, hope increased. With each debate, hope became more bold. And finally, hope transformed herself into victory. Obama's victory was not his alone. No, it wasn't. The victory belonged to those who wanted to see a break from the norm in America. It belonged to those who wanted to see real change come to a nation that operated on deceptive political agendas. It belonged to those who lived under the heavy hand of oppression and intolerance, injustice and inhumane treatments. The election of Barack Obama would be the reparation that would bring equality to a divided states of America. Or would it?

To Be Continued...

AfterThoughts Signing Off...

Partisan Politics: The New Civil War

Americans are no longer fighting two wars, but three. Two are on foreign soil--Iraq and Afghanistan. The other is right here in America. In some ways, the domestic war that's being fought is much more intense than the two abroad.

Although political fights and wrestling matches are not new to Americans, this current round is so full of bitterness, opposition, and hatred, that it appears to be unlike anything that we've witnessed in modern times. With the passing of each new day, and emergence of any new issues, the fight becomes more intense and dangerous.

For starters, the culprits (the schoolyard bullies) need to be identified. It is their interference and stronghold that keeps the fight alive, with no exit or strategy for victory. They are: misinformation, tainted information, lack of knowledge, self-righteousness, unethical behaviors, and hidden agendas. This six-pack of dynamite, if left unchallenged, is poised to detonate and blast bipartisan efforts into further oblivion.

There is so much mudslinging and name calling from the left and right that the middle ground is caught in the crossfire and looking for cover. The absence of the middle makes the body of politics a freak of nature. Without a middle (chest) the left and right arms can not function, have nothing to connect to, and serves very little purpose. They both fall helplessly to the ground. The middle keeps the left and right grounded, not letting any side gain an unfair upper hand, but allowing both sides to carry out their functions for the good of the body.

Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States. We know that. Most of us accept it. He has managed to keep most of his campaign promises and those that he hasn't comes as no surprise. Most Americans are intelligent enough to know what can and will work versus what can't and won't. In the humble opinion of one American, I believe that he is doing a pretty good job with what he's been given. He doesn't come off as angry or bitter. Instead, he seems to be methodically and carefully considering the best interests of this nation. George W. Bush is no longer President of the United States. We know that. All of us accept it because he reached his two term maximum. He governed in accordance with the beliefs and ideals of the Republican right. I'm not sure if his governance was motivated by a desire to effectively lead and represent the American public, or to secure a legacy for himself and scrub the stains from the tainted one of his father, Bush 41. I'm still pondering that one.

Although Bush 43 walked out of office and the public eye nearly 120 days ago, residue from his Administration remains. An unstable economy, high rate of home foreclosures, job losses, financial disasters and more, rests heavily upon the backs and minds of many Americans. Obama comes in, assesses the damage, and looks for ways to stop the bleeding until solutions can be found. However, political rancor rips away the band-aid, exposing the deep wound to more infection, until the situation becomes gravely ill.

Who's right? Is it the Republicans who say the stimulus and bailouts will only lead to more financial and economic disasters later down the road? Or the Democrats who say we have to act now or the country goes from a moderate recession to an acute depression? Who do we believe? Who is more sincere? Who seems to genuinely care about the state of America?

Well, after considering all the talk, analysis, press conferences, news articles, blogs, and opinion polls, this American decided to support the Democratic position. No, I didn't do it based on party affiliation or political popularity. I didn't do it because of the "still-quite-popular" President Obama or the influential First Lady Michelle Obama. For me, image was the deciding factor.

Although the Republicans seemed passionate about their position, their reaction to the crisis was superficial. Sure, they took advantage of photo ops and sound bites to oppose the democratic agenda for the "good of our children and grandchildren" years from now. I listened intently to their commentaries. I looked for sincerity and concern. I found little. What I found abundantly was consistent rejection with little or no thought or consideration. The answer to every Democratic proposal was an emphatic no. Now, when people are forced from their homes, struggle to feed their families, lose their jobs, and face hopeless situations daily, partisan wrestling matches and street brawls does not cast a positive light on leaders. The American public depends on elected officials to make their lives better, and when that fails to happen, consequences abound. The heat of battle rises. The civil war rages. Generals and Commanders are clueless and have difficulty devising a winning strategy.

The negativity and bitterness surrounding the Republican party is destroying credibility. Some times less is definitely more. The airwaves are saturated with divisive, venomous rhetoric from the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, Michelle Bachmann, Dick Cheney, Newt Gingrich and others. Democrats are not much better. They are in the political driver's seat at the moment but they keep looking in the rearview mirror, often suffering avoidable crashes. In the process, the American people suffer. Image is everything. When your words say "I care" and your image says, "so what?" you can best believe that those bearing tainted images will see a political freefall in 2010 and 2012.

AfterThoughts Signing Off...

How Do You Define The Black Woman?

HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE BLACK WOMAN?

Is she defined by her nose and lips broad or straight, full or thin

or could it be her monster hips which makes her a perfect ten?

Is she known by her famous butt thick and round, petite and flat?

or could it be her peacock strut which lets you know she's all that?

however you see her, let me say that the black woman is well on her way

to becoming phenomenal and it's all good!

Is it by her sassy mouth you define loud and boasting, humble and meek

or her ability to know a played out line she tells you when your rap is weak

maybe you see her as low class or define her as cold and brash

no matter what her complexion and size she's black and you need to recognize

you don't have a clue you see the black woman is whatever she wants to be

fearless and strong, she's got it going on!

Is it her unwillingness to back down which makes you scratch your head and frown?

the black woman is not easily bent she stands her ground and represents

her skin is not what makes her black let me define her while you step back

the black woman is...

From midnight black to almost white nappy or straight, she gets it right

tall or short, fat or thin, it doesn't matter, she's loved by men

brown eyes, green eyes, quiet or loud she gets attention and can draw a crowd

So when you see her give her respect, for she's the best thing you've ever met

she's bold and beautiful, real and precise

she's america's sugar and africa's spice!

by S. Denice Newton

Join us live on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 6PM as we talk to some students who have defied odds and are making positive decisions resulting in positive rewards. From college scholarships to computers, these students are being rewarded for a job well done. Also, we will meet Ms. Jacquie Jeffers, a high school teacher using her unique talents to reach her students. We will also present Mr. Daryl Woodard, Executive Director of Smart Choices For Youth,Inc. Mr. Woodard and his organization is making a tremendous difference in the lives of many young people, giving hope to the hopeless and proving that hard work and perseverance really pays off.

Race, Ignorance, and Black Conservatism

When I was a child, I couldn't understand the phrase, "curiosity killed the cat." It just didn't make any sense to me. But as I aged, learned, and matured, I came to realize the full meaning of it. Your curiosity can cause things to be revealed that you may not want to know about. Boy, did I ever experience that this past Friday night.

I was on a particular internet talk radio site when I came across an interesting page. The host called himself Black Conservative. He wore this title proudly, as if it were some sort of banner or high honor. But to each his own. I became curious about this individual being that I'd recently had another black conservative on my talk show who was not only very pleasant, articulate, and intelligent, but a gentleman as well. I expected no less from the one that I'd stumbled upon, regardless of race or political affiliation.

The minute that I began listening to his show, I knew that it would be the type of atmosphere that would be incompatible with my beliefs and personality. The host was on a rant about black conservatives being "right" and black liberals being "wrong." Although this statement stabbed me in the gut, I was willing to listen with an open mind. After all, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and belief. But after several minutes of listening to partisan garbage, I decided to call in with a question.

The host took my call almost immediately. I held my question after deciding to respond to one that he had posed first. His question was: what has Barack Obama done to help Black America?
This may not be the question exactly, but it was on this line. I began the response in this manner: "It is really unfair to expect President Obama to reverse the many ills plaguing the black community when he' s only been in office a little over 3 months." The host responds, "how much time do you black people need before you can see that Barack Obama is doing nothing for the black community? Well, I'm black and the host is black so therefore, I became baffled and taken aback by this question. You black people? I then asked, "what did George Bush do to help the black community? He then went on this long-winded, voice-raising, ignorance-revealing, unintelligent rant about faith-based initiatives, social programs, etc. that Bush supposedly put forth to help blacks. Hmmm.

During this moment of extreme insanity, I decided not to even try to reduce myself to his level. I could have countered much of what he stated in regards to Bush but he really wouldn't let me get a word in. Furthermore, I wanted to get to my burning question before it got lost in a political abyss. When he took a brief pause and appeared to be coming down from the delusional "conservative" high that he was on, I attempted to ask my question again. Again, he wouldn't allow me. He tried to push me into a corner with the whole Bush did so much more for blacks than Obama is doing. I was done with that issue because his ignorance and arrogance was not going to allow him to listen to reason and logic. I pressed ahead with my question.

Before I could get the question out, he made some foolish remark about me "waking a sleeping giant." His arrogance had no bounds. I was getting a little angry at this point and stated, "Yeah, George Bush did a lot for blacks. He sure had a lot of them killed through the deception and lies that led to the Gulf War." Okay, this really inflamed him. I was through. There was no getting through to this person. When the opportunity finally arose, I kindly responded, "I'm going to hang up now. I can see that we're not going to agree." He continued to press for an argument and I hung up. Those in the chat room that sided with him seemed to think that he "pushed me into a corner" and that I didn't know how to respond to him. They were so wrong. I can't tolerate foolishness. I didn't call in to be controversial, I called in with a question for a black man who claims to be a conservative republican. I wanted an answer; an intelligent answer to the question: "As a black conservative, what do you think about some of the divisive, racist remarks made by those like Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and others?"

The chat room began to go crazy. Conservatives began jumping all over liberals. I witnessed some of the most vile, vulgar, profane language that I've ever seen. The host continued ranting and raving to every caller that was in opposition to his madness. He started saying things like "you dumb black people put Barack Obama in the White House." Let me back up one moment. He made that particular statement when I was on the line with him. I responded, "black people only make up about 14% of this country's population. If every black in this country voted for Obama, he wouldn't have won the election." I don't remember his response but I'm sure that it was just as ridiculous as all the others.

Anyway, the host continued in his verbal attacks against black liberals. A soft-spoken, intelligent male caller began to challenge the host on his position. The host referred to him as a dumb black. The caller corrected him and said, "I'm not black." The host responds, "you sound dumb so I assumed you were black." Again, the chatroom went wild. The host and supporters in the chatroom began to use the words negro and niggers consistently. No shame. No apologies. The host began to say that blacks need to get off all assistance programs, stop being lazy, find jobs, and support themselves. They don't need programs such as affirmative action he stated.

Although I can agree that it would be ideal for black americans to be self-sufficient without assistance from the government, it is also unrealistic. We are living in some harsh times. People are starving, living in the streets, and stripped of hope. They can't see the forests for the trees. Is it such a bad thing for the government to extend a hand of help to those who find it difficult to help themselves? Do conservatives wish to see children literally starve to death? Do they wish to see the elderly succumb to their diseases and ailments all because they need to get off their lazy butts and get a job? In a nation as rich as this one, these things should not be happening. Just because many of them are filthy rich, it doesn't give them the right to deny the less fortunate access to aid.

Conservatives are quick to claim their "Christianity" and religious beliefs when it suits them. But a real Christian would reach out to those less fortunate. A real Christian has a heart of compassion that it not easily influenced by motives, agenda, or political position. A real Christian would share his vast wealth with others who are without because he is full of love and compassion. The hypocrisy of many "believers" are astounding. Take into account the controversy at Notre Dame. Some are opposing the President's commencement address because of his positions on abortion and stem cell research. They believe that stem cell research kills a child in order to advance science. But they give no thought to Catholic Priests killing a child's innocence to advance sexual perversions. Hyprocrisy at its best.

To sum it all up, I stopped listening to the madness of the Black Conservative's talk show and will never go there again. If I were a conservative, I would have a problem with this idiot representing me. This is one of many reasons that the Republican party is flailing around like fish out of water--politically oxygen deprived. Those that are speaking on behalf of the party are jokes and not taken seriously by anyone with a minimal amount of thinking capacity. They are divisive, mean-spirited, and lack compassion and care. Those little extra taxes that they have to pay in order to help others is the driving force behind their rejection of President Obama.

TO ALL CONSERVATIVES: IF YOU WANT TO REGAIN POWER, BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND REACH ALL AMERICANS, NOT JUST RIGHT WING EXTREMISTS, THEN YOU NEED TO ALLOW SOME HEAT TO THAT FROZEN HEART OF YOURS AND LET THE THAWING BEGIN.

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it didn't kill me. What it did was place my opinion of black conservatives much lower on the political ladder.

AfterThoughts Signing Off..