When hop hip was born on the streets of New York, rhymes and dances drove the battles.As the genre traveled to the left coast, the world learned from Ice Cube, Dre and N.W.A. that south central L.A. was a powder keg ready to blow.Their music was real gangsters reflecting the unfortunate problems in their world through the medium of rap—in the footsteps of Pablo Picasso, Zora Neal Hurston and Salvador Dali.
Art imitating life or life imitating art?Of course, the hip hop culture includes positive elements who are real artists but some parts of the thug subdivision are recklessly affecting developing minds and our community as a whole suffers.Weak-minded kids are so brainwashed that they become detrimental to other kids and everyone else.When the moral code established by the teachings of family, church and school is ignored, we are in trouble.From leather jackets to Afro to punk to preppy, every generation gets to define itself but these my classmates’ children are making a concerted effort to glorify easy money, hustling, crime, and incarceration.And don’t get me started on the stripper style dancing from college students in regular clubs—maybe I am just getting old and grumpy but back in my day we saved that for the “hotel, motel, Holiday Inn.”
Lyrics are poetry set to music; Jill Scott should be Poet Laureate; Biggie and Tupac are our dead poets.Anyone with a strong mind can listen to music in its proper artistic context but as a community we need our youth preparing from the competitive nature of the global economy; kids in the developing are developing fast.The hip hop culture is big business with Black, White and Brown youth but under-prepared Black youth will struggle if the music adversely influences their mindsets.
The kids seem to us now how we must have seemed to our parents but Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5 a “The Message” and John Cougar Mellencamp’s “Rain on the Scarecrow” meant something in farmland.When they reach 25 year old, they started with that “I wish I would have listened—I got caught up.”
When it comes to political agendas, east is east and west is west and never shall they me. Different groups support candidates and incumbents for different reasons. To avoid awkwardness and drama, the various supporters might need separate rallies and meetings. For example, the Blue Dog Democrats in the Georgia congressional delegate enjoy traditional Democrat support and a certain amount of Republican support from individuals with particular agendas-farmers, gun owners, military families, etc.
In Georgia’s 12th District congressional district, Blue Dog John Barrow received the support of the NRA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over a GOP opponent. Conservative Democrat Jim Marshall continues to get most of Black votes in the 8th District without endorsing Obama or Clinton and he does well with some Republicans. On the other hand, Republican Rep. Jack Kingston has built a strong network in the Black community.
The mini-drama with Rep. Sanford Bishop’s family is evidently driven by envy in the Columbus Black community but notice that the agriculture industry and the Georgia GOP is not saying a word; they are more concerned with Bishop’s ability to keep the Obama White House from gutting the farm-support programs we need. Remember, did you see Bishop, Scott, Barrow and Marshall actively campaigning against Senate Ag giant Saxby Chambliss last fall and Chambliss would talk about the “liberal Democrats” in Washington—differentiating them from his moderate southern colleagues and supporters.
Recently, I decide to do a little political network by attending a grassroots town hall event for Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson. While Isakson and Obama are polar opposites politically, the senator was a state official when the Democrats ran state government so he is reasonable enough to say “no” then say “why.” I appreciate that fairness for Obama because moderate Democrats did the same for Bush.
Meeting Senator Isakson
When Isakson starts campaign for relection, our community should think about the fact that congressional Republicans or centrist Blue Dog Democrats represent every major city in Georgia outside metro Atlanta. In Macon, Columbus, Albany, Savannah, Augusta and Athens, our community votes for conservatives or moderates in the interest of our regional agendas.
To adapt Kipling’s ballard to Georgia congressional politics: East is East and West is West and never the two shall meet, but if my interests are a risk, them save me a seat.
The thought of rural Georgia without military bases and agribusiness should make any reasonable person put party bickering on the back burner. Because the center controls American politics, Michael Steele needs to steal a play from the Blue Dog playbook and target the center. Georgia GOP Senators and rural DNC House members might be on to something.
The Ballard of East and West Rudyard Kipling
Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the two shall meet,
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God’s great Judgment Seat;
But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth,
When two strong men stand face to face, tho’ they come from the ends of the earth.
In American politics and government, the best interests of the nation should be priority one.However, only the naïve ignore the political agendas all around us.
Faith
State/Region
Political Party
Movement/Causes
Race/Gender
Profession/Industry
(Did I leave about 100 others out)?
Did the Founding Fathers (all landowning White males) think 2009 America would be this diverse or that a Black guy would be in the Executive Mansion without a mop in his hand?Some southerners think public policy should directly reflect the Bible while others push issues that benefit their businesses, professions or careers.
Robert E. Lee’s pre-Civil War dilemma fascinates me.The son of a former Virginia governor and the husband of Martha Washington’s great granddaughter, Lee turned down Lincoln’s offer of a senior command to fight for Virginia and the Confederacy; he loved his state deeply.At my Black college, the history and pol sci majors would “trip” over Lee being the epitome of the southern gentleman while fighting for a “jacked up” cause while Grant was a drunk fighting for the right cause.As a side note, many non-southern Whites did not support the expansion of slavery because slaves provided free labor in jobs White immigrants wanted.
At times, Atlanta has produces liberal members of Congress who put national causes and movements before Georgia.Residents of Georgia’s cities don’t realize that agriculture/ food processing is the economic backbone of the rural regions so we bump heads on the farm agenda.
In Sunday School back in the day, we were taught, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and wealth.”Luke 16:13
The parable in Luke 16 seems to speak of political parties, unions, lobbyists and interest groups.I am not calling them Pharisees because that group seemed to be preoccupied with the letter of the law.
What about Romans 13: 1-2: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.The authorities that exist have been established by God.Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
Personally, I am a Georgian, Methodist, African American, moderate Democrat, and southerner.But, my sub-agendas must be reconciled with the best interests of the United States of America.So help me God.
When Newt Gingrich and company produced the Contract with America in 1994, they had a plan for the direction and function of government.I had to take a picture with this Georgian because he was our speaker and a serious policy thinker.Democrats should know that Newt is currently mixing and brewing in the lab and the potion he produces next will be a substantive knockout.
Republican Rep. Paul Ryan made a lot of common sense on MSNBC this morning.Ryan is the Ranking Minority member of the House Budget Committee and he has an actual plan.He should be one of the new leaders of their party.Ryan is a former senior congressional staffer so he knows the system and knows the game.
I think Paul Ryan should serve as a reasonable counterbalance to Democrat well-intented, fiscally questionable spending.President Obama might have too much to the table at one time because the congressional leaders want to address all of the issues that the previous president put on the back burner while dealing with the War on Terror.Actually, Obama needs Ryan to keep the checkbook balanced.I say Ryan and Obama should develop a working relationship to circumvent the party jostling.
Ryan, who was born in 1970, could make himself a future president by constructively analyzing Obama plans.Black voters could remember that this young fellow stepped up in a positive way to adjust and criticize the first Black President’s plans.The Blue Dog Democrats should work with Ryan as much as possible.
Technique is a problem with the GOP because their governmental policies are valid but the nastiness of “win at all cost” is off-putting.When candidate John McCain took the microphone from that lady who said Obama is an Arab, the senator had a look on his face that reaffirm his status as an American hero.If you know Obama is not an Arab or Muslim but you push the thought to win an election, reasonable voters will turn on you.
At the same time, many Blacks grew up on the Machiavellian concept that the ends justifies the means or “by any means necessary.”
Senator McCain’s daughter Meghan McCain has some interesting comments about technique recently.
To me, a political spectrum exists that travels five degrees to the left and the same distance to the right.The players at the extreme polar ends (the Fives) make the largest amount of enthusiastic noise but they might not have the largest numbers.The Centrists (Zeros, Ones and Twos) are the quiet majority of Americans.
Plot Some Players
President ObamaLeft Two
Senator McCainRight Two
Senator ChamblissRight Four
Senator IsaksonRight Four
Rep. KingstonRight Three
Rep. BishopLeft One
Rep. MarshallRight One
Rep. BarrowZero or Center
Rep. LewisLeft Four
Rep. ScottLeft Two
Rep. WestmorelandRight Five
Rep. DealRight Four
Rep. BrounRight Five
If a House District contains voters who are collectively Zeros, Ones and Twos, why run candidates who are Fours and Fives?Obviously, bringing more new voters into the base is the desire.However, an incumbent or new candidate could seek support from voters who are slightly over and near the center.For example, Georgia’s 8th and 12th congressional districts elected Blue Dog Democrats who are comfortable with many conservative elements.In recent election cycles, the GOP candidates in these two districts were Right Fours who sought to characterize the incumbents as liberal Democrats.
While Reps. Marshall and Barrow voted for Left Four Nancy Pelosi for House speaker and indirectly endorsed other Left Fours as powerful committee chairs, the GOP produced opponents who could not win in centrist districts.Why not admit that Right Twos and Threes should be cultivated and accepted by the GOP for certain districts?
Before 1992, moderates dominated the Georgia congressional delegation.These members had to balance the political desires of the entire spectrum—delicately. The post-1990 census redistricting maps created federally mandated Black-friendly districts but therefore made the neighboring districts so conservative that Republicans could be elected who sometimes ignored their Democrat constituents under directions from the conservative movement leaders.
Of course, all politics is local and Rep. Kingston and Rep. Bishop perfected the art of using regional interests, field staff and personal contact to garner support across the spectrum.These two representatives relish walking into meetings with voters who disagree with them to listen and debate policy decisions.
The liberals in the Democrat party learned to peacefully exist with the Blue Dogs Democrats and together they produced the numbers to take the Congress and the White House.Because the GOP is less flexible, southern moderates and centrists are rare in their party.Young and energetic Sarah Palin-types had better be Right Fours and Right Fives.
The core principles of conservatism appeals to Black moderate and centrist Georgia voters because Reps. Marshall, Barrow, Bishop and Scott win regularly.Michael Steele’s blueprint for GOP party change outlines a new openness to diversity. I am not confident this plan will work because Steele is talking acceptance of Right Ones and Right Twos while the grassroots of the GOP is thinking repent from your centrist sins and move far enough right to be suitable for their party.
So, Georgia and the South gets the cold shoulder from President Obama during the cabinet selection process.However, Hahira, Georgia native Lizz Wright was next to the president on stage at the birthday salute to Senator Ted Kennedy.North Carolinian James Taylor was also there.The music tab at the top of this blog has contains a disproportionate number of Lizz and J.T. music since last fall. Lizz Wright’s “Song for Mia” was featured on the movie The Secret Life of Bees.
Clearly, someone has smooth taste in music but where was jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding.
In Albany, Georgia, the American Red Cross stood strong with disaster relief when the city was flooded twice.This important organization almost shut it’s doors this week due to a 85 to 90% downturn in donations—people who would normal give $100 were giving $25 and people who gave $25 were giving nothing.An area private Christian school is experiencing the same giving dire straits and a friend with a youth sports program near the Georgia coast is facing a serious budget crisis.
It’s the economy, weak stock portfolios and the job cuts.Of course, state and local governments can’t help because their tax revenues are down.After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, I thought political candidates would reduce their solicitation; deferring to more pressing needs.It did not happen.
As we prepare for the 2010 elections, parties and candidates should use technology and new media to publicize their positions on issues before the public in a fiscally sound manner.And if you are running just to be running, you are taking contributions from needed programs.
Senate candidates need big money to run ads in several media markets but most Georgia House candidates are safe.House candidates in contested races should stay lean and raise money from a few companies and industries with direct connections to our state.Do you really need a million dollars to beat someone if you are doing your job?
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee will talk someone into running against Senator Isakson of Georgia.What a waste of money and energy in a clearly red state.Both Georgia senators caught heat from the far right in recent years for working with Democratic colleagues on immigration, energy, farm and bailout proposals.In a state as diverse as Georgia, statewide officials must build bridges while their House counterparts answer to a more narrow demographic.
In 2004, Isakson face a successful Black businessman and former congressman in the GOP primary and won without a runoff.In the general election, he received 58% of the vote against Black former congresswoman Denise Majette, a former judge with an undergrad degree from Yale and a J.D. from Duke.If he won against Herman Cain and Denise Majette, there is no one on the Democrat bench who can seriously challenge him in a state that McCain won over Obama.If you have money to give to an Isakson opponent, give it to the Red Cross so they can help with a real disaster.
They are going to take my original Blue Dog Democrat pin for that last statement but I am more concerned with giving GOP senators the leeway to discuss issues with President Obama than party politics.Despite the talk radio chatter, Obama is not partisan anyway; check his cabinet and his Super Bowl party list.Members of Congress should vote against legislation and budgets their find wrong but have a civil dialog first.
Be careful what you say aloud.GOP “defacto” head Michael Steele called Rush Limbaugh an entertainer and had to quickly retract.Georgia Congressman Phil Gingrey apologized to Limbaugh for saying:
“I mean, it’s easy if you’re Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh or even sometimes Newt Gingrich to stand back and throw bricks. You don’t have to try to do what’s best for your people and your party.You know you’re just on these talk shows and you’re living well and plus you stir up a bit of controversy and gin the base and that sort of thing. But when it comes to true leadership, not that these people couldn’t be or wouldn’t be good leaders, they’re not in that position of John Boehner or Mitch McConnell.”
Rev. Al Sharpton says Jesse Jackson and he are activists who point out issues of concern while Obama is president, one who presides or governs.To me, activists on the left and right serve a purpose and elected officials create policy and law that reflect the needs and best interest of the people.When I was a congressional staffer, House Speaker Tom Foley said from the well that any jackass could kick down a barn but it takes a carpenter to build one.Since Rep. Gingrey is a physician, he could surgically remove the cancerous cells in southern politics and foster the growth of disease-resistant tissue.
Once and for all, many of the personalities on talk radio and talk T.V. aren’t policy experts or journalists.They conduct a healthy and lively debate or discussion of issues and interests to attract listeners and generate ad dollars.I watch Bill O’Reilly and Keith Olbermann, both real journalists, with filters on or (as we say in the south) with a good pair of mucking boots.But, I don’t see these guys as potential officeholders—Lou Dobbs, maybe.
Bottomline: some media personalities mean well and other would say anything to recklessly whip the people into a frenzy—insightful amusement for some but propaganda for the weak-minded.
Every Southerner should watch M.T.V’s “T.I.’s Road to Redemption” because the heading to prison rapper is making a sincere effort reach America’s youth.Before they take the wrong path, young people need to hear that “real talk” about choices, decisions and consequences from every angle: family, schools, churches, positive peers and reformed thugs.
When I was a kid, we called “real talk” the Barbershop talk.In the shop, a want-to-be goon walked past the retired gentlemen without speaking and sat down—trying to be hard.Of course, my friends and I would come in the places with “how are sir…good to see you…yes sir, I am trying to staying out of trouble…yes sir, I look like my father.”When the retired vets and pensioners started teaching that knowledge and wisdom, we listened intently and took copious mental notes.
“It’s not the government’s job to take care of these babies…get a good government job on the military base…before you marry a girl, get a look at the women on both sides of her family…a bullet doesn’t have a name on it…don’t buy a new Cadillac if you are renting an apartment…they want you in jail…get your lesson at the schoolhouse…gin makes you sin…some folks are like crabs in a barrel…grown men don’t wear baseball hats to the side…don’t break your parents’ hearts.”
Georgia’s T.I. put himself through some things and is about to serve federal time on gun charges.Tupac and Biggie told those rappers and ballplayers that they couldn’t be a multimillionaire and live in the same neighborhood; wearing 100K in jewelry to the sweatiest club is trouble waiting to happen and the baby mamma/child support drama is inexcusable.President Obama is pushing sensible people to encourage the youth because the cost of the judicial and corrections systems is taking money from education and taxpayers’ pockets.
The federal government should get T.I. to chronicle his incarnation as a continuation of his reality show because the young man has a way of speaking that Barbershop talk that is second to none.Most of those Barbershop talks from the last 80 years ended, “now you can do it but you can’t say you were never told.”
Another outstanding piece on T.V. was ABC story about Appalachia—Lord, have mercy.I got my 9-year-old niece to watch it with me and she came away with a better appreciate for her smooth life.Black folks don’t have a monopoly on struggling; some among us haven’t had a real rough patch yet, thank heaven.
A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains Part 1 of 6
Well the CPAC convention confirms that the GOP leaders stand firmly against most things Obama and Democrat.I can respect them for that; the president is constantly saying he would push his agenda and if he is wrong, the voters will speak at the polls.
Of course, if he is right, the voters will speak at the polls also. How is the time when the conservative Democrats (not an oxymoron) need to step up and inject a certain level of conservative principles and budget restraint into the plans and proposals.Hey, they helped Bush; now help Obama.
I think the Blue Dogs concept might spreads into state legislatures, governors’ mansions and local governments as a brand for moderates.The Democratic Leadership Council has traditionally provided a similar option.Could moderate Republicans find a more comfortable home with the Blue Dogs?Would the ultra-conservatives say good riddance to them?What a shame that would be because the core principles of conservatism would be helpful in reforming government but some people get so hyped on fighting for fighting’s sake that they forget we are all for a better America.
It is sadly ironic that the GOP efforts for more congressional seats next year will require targeting the Blue Dogs Democrats who generally work with them well—those are the Democrat House seats with large numbers of conservative voters.When the Democrats picked off Republicans Members of Congress, GOP moderates caught the target for the same reasons.
When your party is down and the people are not feeling you, self-reflection leads to a few obvious options:
a)You actually stink;
b)You are great but the voters are wrong;
c)Your concept is great but the marketing is wrong;
The southern GOP seems to be in a state of denial; like the formerly grand family whose mansion is unkempt because something happen to their wealth and prosperity.Steven Tyler with Aerosmith is famous for saying that the band found their sound unfortunately in the middle of the Disco era.He said every morning he would sit on the edge of his bed and say, “Lord almighty, bless my soul, I have the right key but the wrong keyhole.”
To their credit, the conservatives have some “right keys” and their input is vital to the recovery.I say thank you to the reasonable Republicans who acknowledge that their new status is a result (in part) of their past actions.Those Republicans could offer sound proposals and constructively criticize Democrat miscues like big spending.The other Republicans can sit on their weather-beaten verandas waxing nostalgic about the glory days. But don’t sleep on Newt and company because a little sprucing and paint can do wonders if the foundation is strong.
So some Republicans are busy tossing former President George W. Bush under the bus because everything that “could have been done better” was solely his fault; he acted alone.To me this slighting is wrong because the decent, bipartisan governor of the nation-like state of Texas got caught up with the money-power crowd inside the D.C. Beltway and policy when off track.Bush learned that the people who give you campaign cash so appear with a policy wish list; I am relieved that Obama got his contributions from regular folks.Right.
Conspiracy theorists speculate that the military-industrial complex wanted conflict in the Middle East so they could profit from supplying the Department of Defense.President Bush listened to Vice-President Cheney too much.What’s up with nation building when America’s infrastructure is falling apart because our brave troops seem like they work for H.U.D.’s foreign division rather than D.O.D.Let warriors be warriors and we will be better off.General Colin Powell always said use quick and decisive force then get out.Secretary Colin Powell said I am out of here like last year because these guys are flirting with disaster.
I cannot stand around hearing Bush get the scapegoat label from his “selective amnesia” party because they pushed him toward many of those questionable decisions—with approval from Blue Dog Democrats; me included.At the same time, the proposed solutions from the far-left were pricey and ill advised.
In high school in the 80s, we listened to Gill Scott Heron sing or rap about selective amnesia on the song “B-Movie.”Heron and Muhammad Ali are considered the fathers of rap.Okay, I am using selective amnesia to remove Rudy Ray Moore/Dolemite for his rightful status in rap’s foundation because his material offends “uppity” segments of our community but they catch Dolemite on youtube in their McMansions “on a sly note.”
The young people today are concerned with the 50 Cent/Rick Ross conflict; a dispute that grew out of 50’s contention that Ross was once a law enforcement officer.Huh?Is being a corrections officer a negative in certain areas?
Gill Scott Heron made you think with “B-Movie” because he launched into a classic rant/analysis of President Reagan’s election.I will give Heron credit for pointing out that Reagan, as head of the Screen Actors Guild, stood up to McCarthyism when called before the Special Committee on Un-American Activities.Heron wrote, “When other celluloid saviors were cringing in terror from McCarthy, Ron stool tall.”My older brother told me that Reagan’s courage during that time meant he was presidential material despite the rest of political lyrics in the song.
In 1947, as SAG president, Reagan testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee regarding the influence of communists in the motion picture industry. Strongly opposed to communism, he reaffirmed his commitment to democratic principles, stating, “As a citizen, I would hesitate to see any political party outlawed on the basis of its political ideology. However, if it is proven that an organization is an agent of foreign power, or in any way not a legitimate political party—and I think the government is capable of proving that—then that is another matter… But at the same time I never as a citizen want to see our country become urged, by either fear or resentment of this group, that we ever compromise with any of our democratic principles through that fear or resentment.”
My friends and I saw Heron at Blues Alley in D.C. during the 90s and shaking his skeletal hand was rough—First Lady Nancy Reagan was right, “Just say no to drugs.”First lady of my neighborhood was actress Brenda Sykes, Heron’s then wife.Current college political junkies could learn from revisiting Reagan and Heron—always respect a worthy adversary.
How dare Heron in “Winter in America” call the U.S. Constitution a “noble piece of paper but “Angel Dust” scared many youth away from drugs.The “Inner City Blues” line, “Money we make, even before we see it, they take it.” would make any tax reform advocate smile.
As I think about it, I bet the Obamas grew up on Gil Scott Heron during their Afro years also.I can see it the first lady’s eyes because the president has moved forward from the ugliness of the campaign but F.L. Michelle (like me) is thinking unnecessary foolishness won’t be soon forgotten.That sentiment will hit the elements in our community pulling us backwards.Ultimately, she has the president’s ear but doesn’t have selective amnesia.I also think she has a low tolerance for all ignorance.
The term “Black history” is not only the study of Blacks in history but also the study of Blacks in American and international history.At my Black college, we said Black is not a chapter in American history; America is a brief chapter in Black history.
History is not reserved for names and events we can easily recite.The schools and churches that toiled selflessly to keep the Black family strong and composed during bleak periods in our past belong to history.
History is often revisited, revised and rewritten.Does history change or do we change?I want to admit now wrong I was about a local piece of history in South Georgia.
An often forgotten aspect of American history is the toil in agriculture of slaves, former slaves and sharecroppers until the early 1970s.We must remember the sons and daughters of the South and their contributions to building the economy of this nation.
As a child, a mural of Blacks farm workers in field covered the wall of the local post office—White bosses were keeping records and “supervising.”When the new post office open after I was an adult, the mural found its way into the new building.The want-a-be radicals among us considered going covert be cooler heads prevailed.
Chester J. Tingler did the mural in 1939 as part of the New Deal Post Office Artwork project commissioned by the U.S. Treasury Department.It is my understanding that many of the artists were attempting to record the efforts and importance of the Black workers rather than subjugate them/us.So, I appreciate that art from a different perspective—it’s indispensable Black history to me.
People refrain from calling President Obama’s speech to Congress the “State of Union” because he just got into the White House—it seems longer and he is starting to show wear.I think Secretary Clinton is chuckling, “I told you so; Barrack is too nice to deal with these national and global kuckleheads; we need someone battle-tested and hard like me. I have been through some things.”
I am not surprised that Republicans are not supporting the President’s recovery programs as most Democrats would have done the same for McCain’s programs if the election results were different. President Obama, the Democrats and a few moderate Republicans should do what the people elected him to do.The Blue Dog Democrats will provide a reasonable level of fiscal restraint but put your cards on the table, let the chips fall where they may and all other applicable axioms.
“Prove them wrong” be prepared to deal with the consequences (success or otherwise) because supporters of supply-side economics will never back massive new taxes and trying to convince them is a waste of time and energy.
It’s like the frog cloaking the heron trying to sallow him; “never give up” is the code of the far-right and far-left.
President Obama will say tonight that the road back won’t be easy, we must all brace for hard times and things will get worst before getting better.If you are surprised by this message, you will surprise him because he said this throughout the campaign.Those voters who weren’t caught up in the emotions heard him all along—Obama might be Hillary-hard after all.
Why is my friend J.W. halfway to the century mark and not hip to one dish cooking? Americans of means are hitting the kitchen and chilling with friends on the porch again—that’s a good thing in this economy. While I won’t be on the Food Network anytime soon, let’s me school J. W. in the kitchen like I schooled him on the tennis court in D.C. (He never won a game against me in a zillion sets.)
One Dish/Multi Meal Penne or Ziti:
Boil water in a 5 quarter pot…..after boiling starts, add salt and olive oil; then add one box of pasta…penne, ziti, wheat or white…maybe bowties and cook for 12 to 15 mins….pre-heat oven at like 300.
Chop Fully cooked Beef sausage and microwave in casserole dish (actually, you want to m-wave a little to start if fozen..so you can cut them)
Put warmed sausage in casserole dish into oven to get that browned effect…after sausage is browned, add half of one jar of pasta sauce (or get the big jar with the lid and use only as much as you like) Cover dish because the sauce will bubble in your oven.
Open one can of green beans or peas and m-wave in a bowl for 1 or 1.5 mins after peppering.
Drain the pasta water out and put the pot back on the stove with reduced heat..add a little Promise or other butter substitute to keep the pasta from sticking together and sticking to the pot…stir around and add pepper and a little salt.
Put the rest of the sauce on the pasta after adding your warmed green beans or peas while the pasta is on low heat…watch as the combination warms up.
Mix the pasta from the stove with the warmed pasta/sausage from the oven so the meat is mix into the whole dish.
Turn the heat in the oven down to warm…put any cheese into and across the top of the dish and give it a few mins in the oven to melt the cheese.
Bam…you are done…put a few slices of bread (regular wheat bread or whatever) into the warm oven with a little Promise spread and maybe some garlic salt, olive oil and/or cheese….cut bread diagonally to be fancy.
This basic pasta meal should be served to a nice lady with candle lights and melodic jazz—get “the Gentle Side of John Coltrane” cd. You can change the dish up in the future by using white or alfredo sauce and chicken, fish or turkey. You can use seafood—just cook it in a sauce pan on the stove and put it on top of the pasta…trey chic.
Your country cutie will be impressed big time. “Did you work at Applebees in college or something.” She can’t figure out that there was no Applebees when you were at U of South Carolina and they would not let the bros in that spot back then anyway. J. W., if you were in school a few years earlier, you could not eat a slice of pie at Woolworth’s in Columbia or Greenville. And now our sister is the first lady of these United States…my goodness.
While the economy is down, stay out of those Capitol Hill eateries and eat at home. Good friends, moderate wine or brew and people will start economically interacting again—doing my part of help President Obama help the nation. After the recovery kicks, stay out of those eateries and save that cash. If doll doesn’t like eating in sometimes, move on to a sensible sweetheart—remember, retirement is right around the corner and if you work after 70 it should be because you are bored; not because you need the coin.
All kidding aside, thanks for your tutelage when I was green on the Hill. My daddy always said “pin my flowers on me while I am alive.”
And get some matching plates and things from Wal-mart at least —you are slacking with that mixed-matched stuff. It’s like you are still in the Peace Corp in Honduras.
The drinking age or the age to buy alcoholic beverages was push to 21 years old from 18 years old in most states during the 1980s with possible reduction of federal highway funds hung over the states.We know that the higher age reduces teen drunk driving and other alcohol-related problems that have always plagued youth—and the population in general.
An argument can be made that people old enough to get married, sign a legal contract, vote for president, hold a sub-prime mortgage and be a centerfold should be responsible enough to consume “adult beverages.”Of course, the worst 10% or so of drinkers will do things that will call for stronger restrictions on everyone.
The young women and men in the military create concern for fair-minded people.They are operating and responsible for multimillion dollar equipment and weaponry while fighting for freedom and defending this nation but they can drink a Bud Light in Applebees the day before heading to Iraq.They can be shot but can’t have a shot?
So, the kid down the street had a baby at 15 years old but her college student cousin cannot buy wine at 20.That situation creates the criminal act of securing alcohol in college.Some people speculate that marijuana use is up for young people who find getting that illegal substance easier than securing beer.Really?
State and federal officials should seriously study and consider moving the drinking age to 19 for beer and wine; leaving the age for hard liquor at 21.A non-active Marine friend says the drinking age should be 19 in military clubs to respect their service.We should check back with him in a few years after his son finishes high school and basic training at Parris Island—when the boot is on his son’s foot and it’s his turn to have the sleepless night our parents had.
(Please don’t let that call come in the middle of the night.)
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a compelling argument for open primaries on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos.The Govenator said there should be open primaries and the two top vote-getters should then faceoff in a final election.
I have been saying for years that Georgia’s primary system restricts options for voters who like a wide range of candidates.“I like that GOP guy for senate but I am taking the Democrat ballot in the primary because the sheriff race is big here.”Of course, some people have been advocating an end to local partisan elections anyway.Schwarzenegger said this option must be a good idea because both major parties dislike it.
Stephanopoulos ask the governor who was the leader of American Republicans and Schwarzenegger said President Obama because he is the leader of the country.(Insert dramatic pause here)
Earlier, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Govenor Tim Pawlenty offered reasonable comments on the stimulus (oops recovery) plans on other Sunday morning shows.I must say the GOP bench is not as thin and some would think.L.L. Cool J. had a lyric that said, “The girl walked in and I made my approach…I said you got a good team but you need a new coach.”I just saying that one of these bright minds would be a productive leader of a party and constructively help with the economic recovery while positioning for 2012.
Attorney General Eric Holder said yesterday that we are “nation of cowards… on race.”First, you know some news shows would mention this statement and conveniently leave out the “on race” part—never missing an opportunity to enjoy some twisted reporting. “Our brave troops are not cowards.”
Holder said, “Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and I believe continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards.”
At a Little League game a few years ago, my friend called his son over and told him, “Get in where you fit in.”We fell out laughing and the guy said he just want the kid to know school chums or not necessarily coming over for dinner.
A blog post can get away from a poor writer really fast because I am almost typing a stream of thought about not coming to someone’s house for dinner not because of race but because they let the cat walk on the kitchen counters and the dog eats out of their bowls (yes, it happens in Black, White and other homes.)How much do you love your pets?Do you love them better than you love people you don’t know?Who is the worst Michael: Tyson, Vick, Phelps, Jackson, Savage or Richards.
While the workplace is mostly integrated, Holder points out that we are “self-segregated” on the weekends and in our private lives. Hold on Holder; Americans have a right to free association.Black colleges, churches and organizations will always exist as long as they are voluntarily.When I lived in D.C., we were proud that the city felt like a salad bowl rather than New York being a melting pot—the idea is that the ingredients blended together without losing their individual qualities.
I was in the first integrated first-grade class in my town and I wonder if anyone wanted to know if the Black kids wanted to attend school with people who looked at them in a certain way.A properly funded “separated but equal” school might have created a smoother transition (like in post-apartheid South Africa) because we weren’t crazy about going to school with them; we just needed better resources.Before integration, old text books from White schools were sent to Black schools but today we still have fond memories of those all Black institutions—the J.W. Holley High Wildcats.
Here is an idea: what if a new Holley School was created as a charter school with vouchers and good old fashioned reading, writing and arithmetic.In the basements of churches and in one room school houses, our parents learned more than their grandchildren get in million dollar schools but then again the motivation and mission had clarity back then; and today many kids are aimless.
Like President Obama big race relations speech last year, Attorney General Holder got us think about awkwardly diverse discussions.At the time of his speech, this moderate was in an interesting lunch conversation with some of Georgia strongest conservatives—not a coward among us.
Project Logic contributor HBA pointed out that CNBC has an interesting documentary on the New Black Overclass premiering February 24 at 9 p.m.
In the parking lot at church, local sage Ralph always says you can have loads of money but little class—that must mean I have loads of class.This program should be interesting.
And what the “blank” is overclass anyway? Is that similar to being overqualified for a job.Yeah, tell your Student Loan provider you were looking for a gig but the interviewers keep saying you are overqualified.
Hats off to the young brothers and sisters doing well.I am claiming Lebron James as my “play nephew” because he has such a positive attitude.I am stopping short of using the term “role model” because Arthur Ashe set my standards of role model very high—on and off the court.
In this original one-hour documentary, CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, provides a close-up look at the experiences of these self-made black multimillionaires, many of whom grew up poor, are mostly under age 40, and have primarily made their vast fortunes in the sports, entertainment and media industries, usually by taking more ownership and control over their brands. Collectively, black athletes in the NFL, NBA, and in Major League Baseball earned more than $4 billion last year and the nation’s 20 highest-paid hip-hop entrepreneurs brought in more than $500 million. Their newfound wealth has profound implications on their lives and their families. NEWBOs exposes and chronicles their experiences and insights as they move from relative poverty to fantastic wealth at a very young age.
I have news for every father who dreams of watching his son play football in the S.E.C.If he is an undersize, slow teen that doesn’t know how to placekick 50 yards, it’s likely not going to happen.He can enjoy the character-building aspects of High School team sports but Junior as a volunteer will likely be a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity rather than the Tennessee Volunteers.
Along the same lines, political donors with strong party loyalty should know that several 2010 contests in Georgia won’t be contested in the general election—-save your contribution money and consider it an economic stimulus check from me.
Since President Obama didn’t win Georgia last November, the Isakson Senate race will be a cakewalk—put your checkbook away.The Democrat candidate for governor won’t have much of a chance either.As a moderate Democrat, it pains me to say that our community should closely watch the GOP candidates and support the most reasonable one or the one with a sincere relationship with a range of Georgians.(Did I say that diplomatically enough)?
If we are not careful, we will end up with a far-right GOP governor with a limited rapport with our community.Then again, that type candidate runs well in their primary.How dare some southern leaders: talk trash that you know is not true about the current President during the campaign, smash his recovery plans and then line up for a fat slice of the porky pie.
Bottomline: in politics and life, choose your enemies carefully; be resourceful; and pick your battles.The philosopher Tupac once said, “Give haters plenty space.”
Project Logic Ga 