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Posts Tagged ‘Conservatives’

Young, Black & Republican: documentary

Posted in African Americans, politics, Republican, tagged , , , on August 18, 2010| 5 Comments »

I am a moderate Democrat but a young conservative brother from Atlanta who works for a South Carolina GOP member of congress sent me the short documentary “Young, Black & Republican.”  As a kid reading Black Enterprise magazine and watching Tony Brown’s Journal on PBS, I remember this pro-business, self-determination type African-American Republican.  Hell, every striding Black family could be considered conservative because “if you wait for the government to do for you, you will be waiting awhile” was the mindset.

The 2010 election season will be wild and as twisted as a mile of bad road—brace yourself for some ugliness.  The fellow in this video who loves his party’s positions but questions the tone had me saying amen to the computer. Since the best documentary series follow-up with the subjects later, we should hope that the “tone” of the Far Right doesn’t push these outstanding young people out of a major political party before Thanksgiving.  (That would be similar to moderates bailing out on the Dem Team over government spending.)

Keith with Peanut Politics blog is a young conservative Democrat who thinks the Black exodus from the GOP started in the primary and that it will kick into overdrive from the campaign rhetoric this fall. They might take my Blue Dog pin for saying this but stand your ground in the red team—be logical and cool when presenting a healthier “tone” option.

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Southern Politics: Check Please

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , on August 11, 2010| 3 Comments »

The field for the general election is in place and our community needs to check and double-check every aspect of our situation relative to political realities.  The candidates’ records, actions and potential must be checked along with their staffing histories and efforts regarding whole community representation.

When we watch the news reports, we always look to see if the crowd behind the candidate looks like Georgia—you know what I mean.  Candidates were pulled or naturally gravitated to the far end of their parties during the primary but can they seriously think about winning without a functional relationship with the center or our community. 

I am putting fresh batteries in my remote control next month so I can flip the channel during the coming onslaught to T.V. political ads with candidates wearing denim shirts, playing with children, sitting on tailgates and walking with dogs.  That stuff is nice but some of that ad buy money could be checks for real events with real people so they can get a real ear full and create a real bond.

The political establishment smirked when two candidates I know personally went on walks to meet the people but those guys learned a lot from a range of Georgians.  As a community, we should fairly give everyone a listen and ask tough questions because the future of his nation is on the table and it is no time for grandstanding or playing political fear factor.  The Democrats are about to rollout the mother of all GOTV efforts and some folks are going to have a very merry Christmas from those fat checks but please ask the candidates and their supporters what’s the plan for creating jobs, fighting crime, improving education, and supporting our troops…oh yeah, and do it on budget.

The Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania made a good point on T.V. yesterday. Pat Toomey said that the GOP “check” of the Clinton White House after the min-term elections actually helped Clinton’s presidency.  But it must be serious Republicans with genuine policy experience rather than those who live off fear and ugliness.  “Checkout” Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels as an example of Harry Truman-like leadership. 

Sadly, we must check the laundry list of Black GOP candidates in Georgia who didn’t make it to the general election.  It might be time to check into a more open election process so this Democrat could vote for Black conservatives with taking the GOP primary ballot.  Is it time to check if they want you arround becasuse some quality candidates didn’t stand a chance.

We need to check with the White House about the Democrats who keep running from President Obama.  In my neighborhood, we don’t play that while we are fighting to protect the seats of good Democrats.  If you check, President Obama has more Republicans in his cabinet than Congressional Black Caucus members and the southwest Georgia congressman was the only CBC member seriously considered for a top spot.  Obama might need to check under his tree in December to see if we groomed a sensible congressional GOP freshmen or two.      

If this blog post seems like Czech to your campaign, write me a check or hit Palpay and I will help you understand.  If I get enough checks, I can checkout my old friends in the Czech Republic after the election. Prague is lovely that time of year.

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Silly Conspiracy Theorists and 2035 President Ms. Obama

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on August 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Cliff Claiborne on Cheers and Daymon Wayans’ character on In Living Color were the best conspiracy theorists in T.V. history.  Daymon could have a field day on First Lady Michelle Obama’s trip to Spain. 

“See, my brother..the plan was put in place hundreds of years ago. Ergo, we were brought to the shores in the hulls of ships..you see..but Kunta Kente never forgot his Islamic roots and held Kizzie up to the east at midnight…understand…because the Moors, who occupied Spain for years but it’s not in the (His)tory text books, prayed to the east as the descendants of Abraham’s other son.”

“But the Knights Templar didn’t decode the messages in the Moorish-Spanish tiles that HGTV recommends be added as an exotic touch to suburban kitchens.  Unbeknownst to the untrained eye, a couple meets in Chicago and starts the reign of power planted as a seed years ago.  So, what seems like a touristy jaunt to Espana for paella is actually fulfillment of the circle..hear me.  As dynasties collide, the future leader of the free world goes to read and decipher those Moorish tiles and stymie the House of Bush’s alliance with the House of Saudi…Harvard v. Yale…and we are mere pawns in a globe chess match that has lasted ages…and stay mindful of  recent new beginnings in the House of Little Rock. ”

That was a fun exercise while waiting for the runoff polls to close in Georgia.  But, some nuts out there would actually believe this mambo jumbo.  As we approach the midterm elections, common sense is the best guide to “decipher” the agendas of those in the political arena.  At the end of the day, people should do what is right for them and arrive at logical conclusions with their regions and wallets in mind. 

Black folks can read it in the First Lady’s eyes: she has had it with fake smiles, life in the fish bowl and people slamming her good man.  The “Blame Bush” approach is not consistent with Obama natural style and his White House team needs some adjusting.  I say let Mrs. Obama be herself on the trail this Fall because she has a low tolerance for ignorance and self-pity.  Dr. Condi Rice is really a moderate and Mrs. Obama is really moderate to conservative from the “Do-for-self” school of thought.  She is the best conservative in the White House but consevatives are too busy tripping to see it.

As a side note, ABC had a show called “Life on Mars” than I watched because Lisa Bonet had a small role.  Brothers from the 80s still support the women from the Cosby Show and A Different World—as Ludadcris said, even Rudy Huxtable is all grownup and a Spelman Delta.  If you didn’t grow up where and when I did, you couldn’t imagine the feelings of seeing a real Huxtable family in the White House.  Then again, I can imagine what some friends think is the ultimate plans for a new world order. 

On the finale of Life on Mars, it was revealed that the main character was dreaming during an Earth to Mars flight in 2035.  Upon awakening, the astronauts were told that President Obama wanted to be in the control room but her father was ill so she and her sister went to Chicago.  Moorish tiles?  Who did she beat?  Senator Prescott Bush or Mr. Clinton R. Mezvinsky.

Life On Mars/Obama at 1:45

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Rep. Bob Inglis: Tell It

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , on August 6, 2010| 1 Comment »

Whew, the Democrats are so lucky that the Republicans aren’t listening to certain members of their team.  Bob Inglis of South Carolina didn’t survive his primary so he is free to tell the truth.  Glenn Beck bumped heads with Inglis but Beck also told the truth when he said that his job is a form of political entertainment; it’s not his job to run the nation. 

In an interview with Chris Matthews, Inglis mentioned a list of GOPers whose brand of conservatism appeals to the center, independents and rural Democrats: Rep. Jack Kingston, Rep. Paul Ryan, and Sen. Lindsey Graham.  Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King played well off each other—some say it was planned.  The general idea was America could deal with one or the other.  The above list and a few others seem reasonable compared to the Far Right crew that push Inglis from office. 

When Rep. Ryan, a former congressional staffer, talks budgets and planning, smart Democrats know he should be on the top of their presidential watch list and know that he won’t be.  As we say down here, that would be too much like right.  Chuck D said in his lyrics, “This is the true tale..how the one who wins is the one who fails.”  Winning based on hate and fear is like the days when we  couldn’t play football in the SEC.

UPDATE: I finally caught an interview with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.  Again, for the last time, is this thing on, this guy is the type leader who gets down to it with out the junk and mess.  If you’ll listened to him as much as you listened to some other folks, you would be much better off..we would all be much better off.

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NAACP and Tea Party: With Malice Toward None

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , on July 15, 2010| 1 Comment »

Lincoln and Booth

This drama about the Tea Party movement and the NAACP has me thinking.  Are racists at Tea Parties?  Yes.  Are racists at NAACP rallies?  Of course.  If you get a big group of people together, heaven only knows who is in the crowd.  Anyone who says Blacks can’t be racists is delusional.  Is that racism justifiable?  Is the thug mentality more detrimental to our community than racism?  I better leave that alone.     

PBS’s brilliant documentary about the assassination of President Lincoln includes a photo with John Wilkes Booth in the crowd at the second inaugural.  The last paragraph of that great speech reads:

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. 

As a congressional staffer who lived blocks from the Capitol, I found myself stopping by any rally on the National Mall on Saturdays because I was compensated to serve as a conduit of information between all the people and my congressional bosses.  From pro-gun to gun control, pro-choice to pro-life, treehuggers to drill in the tundra, I listened just so I could say I listened.  The fetus pictures at the pro-life rallies were as rough as the concentration camp pictures at the Holocaust Museum. 

The Million Man March was a historic event but without doubt there were some people in the crowd who had considered taking the fight to another level; that’s what zealots on both sides do. I like to think that positive messages from that event introduced peaceful options to them. 

All of my African American friends who are conservative have attended and/or have spoken at Tea Parties.  When they looked into the crowd, they were hoping that no signage when overboard.  Like President Obama, I understand and respect their concerns with the size and role of government.  Of course, I also have moderate African American friends who wonder if leaders of the traditional civic rights organizations are battling for equality or seeking to stay paid.  That’s the thing: organizers of groups on the right, left and center often have their personal income in mind before anything– this blogger needs to get paid also.  A ruckus is good for donations and the NRA guy and the Handgun Control lady could be dining together in a D.C. tony eatery…. private dining room of course.

As I say weekly, our community should be supportive of a few sensible conservatives or those really nutty folks will be running things.

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Politics and The Pusillanimous Public

Posted in politics, tagged , , on July 13, 2010| 1 Comment »

I am watching a movie the other night and heard a word for the first time in my life.  Pusillanimous means lacking courage, weak or fain-hearted cowardice.

In my part of the South, one can’t be pusillanimous.  Boldness and courage define a person’s character.  Upon further review, it shouldn’t be that way.  People should make coolheaded, rational decisions after weighing all options and seeking counsel from wise elders.  Being brass, bold and overconfident can lead to drug use, early parenthood and poor educational choices. 

It’s all about balance between cowardice and boldness.  In America, some citizens feel that the government’s eagerness to help people creates a culture of softness.  I enjoy being in barbershops and listening to rags to riches stories of those who made it and made it cleanly.  Those tales usually include advise about not waiting for or relying on the federal government “because the government doesn’t really care about you.”

If ultra conservatives take over the congress, the blessing in disguise might be that folks function with caution because the government safety net will be thinner.  That tough love is some rough love but ultimately is healthier. 

We should remember that President Obama was raised by Midwesterners and those corn-fed people have that Little House of the Prairie vibe.  The current occupants of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue have grandparents on both sides that epitomize the American dream and weakness to them is a nightmare.  The “change I can believe in” will be a president and congress making sensible policies that reduce American pusillanimity—yes we can.

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Murphy, Honeycutt, and Scott On Trail In Georgia

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , on July 7, 2010| Leave a Comment »

The 13th District congressional race in Georgia is interesting because Dr. Deborah Honeycutt is again facing Democrat Rep. David Scott.  Former Honeycutt campaign manager Michael Murphy is also in the race but as a Democrat.

When Murphy decided to move from the GOP to the Democrats, I was surprised and disappointed that a comfortable place did not exist for someone like him in that party.  As a Democrat with many conservative friends, I like options and choices for southern voters and don’t get me started about putting all of our eggs in one basket. 

Some observers think that the move farther Right signaled moderates and centrists toward the GOP exit door—let’s hope not.  But, my conversations with Murphy in the past have centered on a lack of an urban agenda in the GOP; which is sad because the party of Jack Kemp shouldn’t be that way.

Dr. Honeycutt has always seems like a positive person and should she enter congress I don’t see her standing idly as ugly rhetoric becomes the foundation of the GOP agenda.  In that regard, I think all voters should keep a hopeful eye on GOP candidates who are about constructive policy-making and yes, there are several out there. 

In a recent T.V. news story, Scott, Murphy and Honeycutt pounding the pavement as the primary election approaches.  Like Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton, a health competition keeps all involved sharp and keen.   

http://www.11alive.com/news/politics_govt/story.aspx?storyid=146049&catid=12&GID=8F2NzPXAx2JQvPfbdDgU6nR7C+hayMyaTYusKTUf6YI%3D

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Cease Corp and Grand Torino: Michelle Obama and Clint Eastwood

Posted in Conservative, politics, tagged , , , , , , on April 24, 2010| 2 Comments »

Clint Eastwood’s film Grand Torino got to me last night.  Seeing a veteran and retired autoworker single-handedly protect his community from domestic terrorists (thugs and gangs) reminded me of JFK’s question about what can you do for your country.  In the last chapter of his life, Mr. Walter Kowalski was teaching negative and positive youth the wisdom of his value system.  Walter needed some lessons on anger management, control and dare I say political correction/cultural sensitivity.  We all can learn something from others. 

I jumped out of bed this Saturday (before day in the morning) to participate in “Cleanup Sylvester, Georgia.” As I look at the dark cloud on the horizon, I knew a rain delay might keep the event from starting.  The real looming dark cloud is the mindset of the youth and adults who toss trash on the streets with zero regard for community.  Where’s Mr. Kowalski when you need him?

RNC Chairman Michael Steele recently said there is no reason for African-Americans to vote for Republicans.  To me, our southern community has always been conservative and Blacks Who Actually Vote (BWAV) have little tolerance for Black ignorance or far Right fear-based rhetoric.  We have plenty Black Walter Kowalski here and there should medals for their actions or combat pay. Steele was basically saying that the efforts and vision of his party isn’t reaching us for whatever reason. 

Disenchanted Black conservatives tell me that their party doesn’t have an urban agenda.  On the other hand, I think the far left’s policies of tossing taxpayer money at problems isn’t working either. 

We need to address issues before they become problems (nip it in the bud).  I wrote on this blog a few months ago that First Lady Michelle Obama should start a Cease Corp to marshal community human resources (people) in an effort to share experience, knowledge and wisdom.  The Barrack Obama story is interesting and unique.  The Michelle Robinson Obama story is the blueprint for a healthy, achievement-oriented American family. Clint Eastwood, a former California mayor, should join the cause with the lessons from Grand Torino as a starting point.  

I have a feeling that Mrs. Obama post-White House service will make her one of the most significant Americans of all times.  You can see in her eyes that she is being restrictive or selective in her public statements but one day she is going to speak freely and the message for a community will be stern and golden.  It’s the direct straight talk that we don’t hear from current leaders.  She can put the “40 under 40” overachievers at the table with the “40 who drink 40s” and those who were 40 years old 40 years ago. 

The subplot of this movie was equally important.  What happens when your family has little use for you?  I say forget them and find a constructive outlet like church activities, a “play” family or maybe the Cease Corp.  Like Walter Kowalski, a neglected senior should get even in his will.

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PBS: Battle for the Bible

Posted in Conservative, politics, tagged , , , , , on April 23, 2010| Leave a Comment »

While watching PBS recently, the “Battle for the Bible” on the Secrets of the Dead series had me thinking about the current political climate and the role of faith in government.  Democrats aren’t all godless heathens and the GOP is not full of saints.   Of course, we want leaders whose decisions are based on their faith and moral grounding. The last part of this great show mentioned Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which served as the foundation for the related provisions in the our Bill of Rights.

Watching this documentary online is time well spent because we should know the effort and process of translating the Bible into English.

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 16 January 1786

Be it enacted by General Assembly that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of Religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities.

http://www.lva.virginia.gov/lib-edu/education/bor/vsrftext.htm

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Helen Blocker Adams: Personal Responsibility, Limited Government and the Tea Party Movement

Posted in African Americans, augusta, Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 13, 2010| 5 Comments »

I had the honor of submitting a Guest Column that ran in today’s Augusta Chronicle.

We can all embrace limited government and personal responsibility

Guest Columnist

Why is there so much resistance among a large number of African-Americans to the idea of limited government?

Is it because of its association with a party they are disproportionately not affiliated with? From a pragmatic point of view, if businesses were able to operate in the most efficient manner with as little government intervention as possible so they can grow and become more profitable, that would be reasonable.

Personal responsibility is another term that conjures negative images among many African-Americans, with its association to one political party. How and when did this happen?

I grew up in a household where we had to make up our beds before we came to the table for breakfast. The notion of lounging around the house with our pajamas on, on a Saturday, was not going to happen. Each of us (I have three siblings) had responsibilities and chores, and there was no discussion about that.

There is something liberating to me about personal responsibility. I remember having a baby-sitting job in my early years so I could have my own money. I also recall applying for and receiving scholarships and grants for college so my parents would have to fork out as little money as possible to help me, which allowed my siblings at home to have more. As long as I am able, I am going to do my part. I believe most people think the same way. But somewhere over the years, I believe too many of our elected officials have gotten in the way.

THIS COLUMN was not written to debate the argument of having government-funded social programs or the need for them. I believe we are all aware of those conversations and have heard them ad nauseam . But with all of the divisiveness and in-fighting among our national political leaders and political parties, I don’t see many of the social issues decreasing, do you?

Here are some statistics plaguing the African-American community.

– Black males lead the nation in incarceration. According to the Schott Foundation for Public Education, about 60 percent of Georgia black male high school students don’t graduate.

– In 2009, Richmond County had 26 murders; 15 of the victims (57 percent) were black men. In that same year, of those murders, 17 of the victims (65 percent) were black. Eighty-two percent of those arrested for these murders were black men.

– The largest number of people contracting HIV/AIDS is African-American women.

– In 2009, 77 percent of the known people having abortions in Richmond County were African-American women.

– Georgia has the eighth-highest teen birth rate in the nation.

l Richmond County has two ZIP codes in the top 10 with the highest number of incarcerated prisoners — 30906 and 30901.

There is simply not enough progress in resolving these social ills. It seems to be getting worse. With these statistics, ask yourself: Do you think they are going to get better if we maintain the same type of thinking or if we continue doing the same thing we have been doing? I think not.

This Thursday, April 15, there will be an event at Augusta Common — the Augusta Tea Party. Thousands of people will attend, and you probably also will be able to count on four hands the number of African-Americans present. What’s wrong with that picture?

Are there some overzealous individuals who may say and do things that are offensive and a little extreme? Maybe. Will there be talk against President Obama and Democrats? I would think so. There also will be discontented people who will have a lot to say about most of our congressmen — no matter their political affiliation.

But will the primary message of the Augusta Tea Party on Thursday be limited government and personal responsibility? I think so. Why? Because those are two cornerstones of the conservative ideology. And, yes, there are more conservatives associated with Tea Parties than anyone else. But why does it have to be that way?

LET’S LOOK BEYOND the negative images the national media project about Tea Parties. Let’s look beyond party affiliations and put our affiliation blinders on. What if we did something different? What if we embraced and implemented this train of thought of limited government and personal responsibility for, say, 30 days? Statistics have shown that when one does something for 30 days, it can become a habit.

What do you think would happen? Would the mind-set of an individual change a little? What would be the harm in taking personal responsibility and taking safer precautions with sex? Or encouraging kids that getting an education is really cool? Or finding a better way of dealing with anger and jealousy, and turning the other cheek?

What do we have to lose by trying and doing something a little different so we can better address the concerns that plague African-Americans?

Look at the big picture. Listen to the message of limited government and personal responsibility. I don’t believe these concepts should be a political or divisive issue because they affect all of us. Ask yourself: Is there a way I can wrap my arms around these concepts, along with what I already believe?

I am asking you to step out of your comfort zone and expand your thinking to embrace concepts you’ve never considered before.

I’m not talking about changing your political party, because frankly I believe it’s political parties, in part, that have gotten us in the mess we’re in now. I believe they have helped cloud our ability to engage in a civic dialogue too. It’s time to start bridging divides.

But I do want you to think about the statistics I’ve shared. Consider the questions I’ve raised, and try the 30-day exercise I’ve described. What do we have to lose?

(The writer is an Augusta entrepreneur and the host of a local radio talk show.)

http://chronicle.augusta.com/helen-blocker-adams/2010-04-13/we-can-all-embrace-limited-government-and-personal-responsibility

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Occam’s Razor and Southern Politics

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on January 30, 2010| Leave a Comment »

William of Ockham

“One should not increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything.”  William of Occam (1285-1349)

“Make things as simple as possible – but no simpler.” Albert Einstein

The simplest solution is often the correct one.

“KISS” Keep It Simple, Stupid

William of Occam was on to something: simpler explanations are better than complicated ones and using the term “razor” to refer to shaving away unnecessary assumptions to get to the simplest explanation is too cool.  I should have been doing this years ago. 

William of Georgia: Southern moderates would help this nation by openly stating what government shouldn’t do and what people should do. (My government name is actually William Terence)

Is that simple enough?  People talk about JFK all the time but fail to remember his classic quote “ask not what this country can do for you, but what you can do for this country.”  Heaven knows the Left means well with their efforts to find governmental remedies for every problem in the world.  Here’s an idea: have few problems.  Heaven knows the Right is also well-intended with their tough love/disciplinarian approach for those in need.  However, someone gets fat on their watch also. 

When the Right produces Black congressional candidates, they say the same mean-spirited rhetoric as their brethren and it does not play well in my community.  Liberal candidates can be equally detrimental with their promises and hopes that government can save us…from us.  I listened to every word candidate Obama said and rarely did he give the impression that this presidency would miraculous improve our lives.  He spoke of creating conditions favorable for achievement for those ready to focus and work hard.  Obama actually sounded like Newt Gingrich but people’s eyes were too gazed over with pure affection to hear his plan.  If you want to be like the Obamas, keep your game tight like the Obamas.

The natural dip in the president’s poll numbers reflect the awaking of those new to politic and policy.  There won’t be a Ford in every garage because your home is in foreclosure since you tried to buy a 200K house on a 31K salary.  Is that any president’s fault or did you sleep in high school econ class.  

William of Georgia’s Razor: Change Washington by producing congressional candidates or incumbents who simple encourage people to plan lives that function and prosper with minimum governmental involvement.

Execute home economics…plan families…conserve energy…build a nestegg…stay out of court and jail…diet and exercise to avoid the healthcare system…don’t believe D.C. can help…listen to your elders’ wisdom…trust heaven.

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Georgia politics: New Coaches Needed

Posted in Conservative, Georgia, tagged , , , on December 21, 2009| Leave a Comment »

For years, I want to hear a conservative congressional candidate who came from our community and who would just stand at a podium and bring it.  Flat bring it…straight bring it…make it plain.  I respect conservative leaders who look like me but speak the traditional conservative viewpoint.  For example, J.C. Watts was a good congressman who helped people understand that he was not congressman for Black people but a congressman who was Black. The brother came from a district in Oklahoma with few Blacks so that is how that should have been and the same can be said for a several Black GOP congressional candidates around the nation.

But, we are in Georgia and I want a candidate here who embraces the unique conservative nature we have here  (Yes, many Black voters in the South are conservative in their daily lives.)  One who will get someone “told” but with genuine concern for the state’s future rather than animosity based on our past.  Basically, we need a sista with credentials who understands our journey since arriving in Savannah in the mid 1750s in the hulls of ships.

Think about it like this: we need someone who can do politically what M.C. Lyte does in hip hop because the messenger needs to “commandeer the ear” of those who can’t hear.  I have always like the way Lyte and LL Cool J carried themselves and respect their personal and professional growth over the years.  One of LL’s famous lyrics applies to the state of Black conservatism in the South, “I said, “No need to rehearse,” then I made my approach..said, you got a good team, girl, but you need a new coach.”

This LL line sums it up for me.  The GOP in the South could makes some real connections in our community with a new coach.  A coach with the smooth intelligence of M.C. Lyte, LL Cool J, Barrack Obama, and Sanford Bishop.  See, the first rule of coaching is learn from the other guys success.  Where can they find such a coach?  The same place where the slaves arrived and strangely, the coach resembles Lyte and is equally stern.  Of course, they will go with a “traditional” coach and follow the same old playbook.       

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzf6Lpb-5Qg

LL -The Do Wop

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Weddings and Marriage

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on October 28, 2009| 1 Comment »

(Ignore Bradgelina…hear Mrs. Patti Labelle)

From watching Bridezilla (since I don’t have a life) and noticing weddings for four decades, I have concluded that some people want the pageantry of a wedding without thinking about the long-term commitment of being bonded “until death do you part.”  Some women think about being lovely brides (queen for a day) without thinking about being a wife with all the ups and downs of cohabitation.  Too many fellows ignore the “forsaking all others” part of the vows; “thick and thin” could refer to the times or waistlines. I know guys who got married before they start making money and now complain that women are checking them out since they have $40K cars. 

There are some women who actually seek to “date” married men for reasons that escape me.  If you met him creeping, he is a creeper, genius.  Since birds of a feather often flock together, keep us single guys out of your mess—don’t start with that “if you see my wife at the store, you and I have been hanging out more lately” stuff to cover where you have actually been.  Oh no, my name is Paul and that mess is between you’ all.

Speaking of Paul, the local newspaper has a Bible verse everyday and today it was Titus 2:1 “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” Since I didn’t half pay attention in Sunday School as a kid, I just learned today that the Book of Titus is Paul’s letters to Titus who was on Crete. The rest of Chapter 2 was good information for couples.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Tts&c=2&t=NKJV#

Titus 2:9 is controversial in some Black circles because it is one of the “servants obey your masters” selections that was used to justify American slavery.  Hey, Titus 2:5 deals with women being in subjugation to their husbands and the sistas I know don’t and shouldn’t play that.  I better leave that alone.

This topic appears on a political blog because my friends and I are talking about a new brand of moderate/conservative thinking that grows from the particular needs of our community and functions without validation, approval or authorization from the current political establishment.  At some point, you get tried of waiting and realize “we are who we have been waiting for.”  Some things need to be said by those with constructive intend.  Since government should play a limited role in the lives of Americans, we need more leaders who will say that, give examples of life planning that reflects that and help young people learn the possible consequences of poor planning.  Policy needs teeth because reasonable people are weary of taking care of others’ poor decision-making. 

If you are not ready to be a spouse or parent, skip the process. The problem is that many who aren’t ready don’t realize it.  Contrary to popular believe, single folks are very happy to see positive families.  Single people like me respect the institution of marriage so much that we would never think about entering into it lightly and the same can be said about parenthood. 

A couple that is truly ready should consider the Patti Labelle song from the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack “My Love, Sweet Love” for a first dance at their wedding. (You know Patti is from Albany, Georgia.)  If the jam “No Diggity” fits your situation, wait awhile…you have some growing to do.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN84sixVRGM

blackstreet – No Diggity (Das Diggity Radio – Greatest Remix

At 3:00 in this song, the DJ put in the best remix feature ever.  A Native American is chanting so smoothly.  

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Congressional candidates: Blue Dogs vs. Pure-Bred Republican Red

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on October 6, 2009| 3 Comments »

It sounds odd but I like the Kohler faucet ad where a couple asks an architect to design a house around a faucet.  The same logic should be employed—in my opinion- to select congressional candidates: start from the desired result and operation backwards, or start with the type candidate who can win in that particular situation and plug in the right person for that candidacy.  The faucet in that ad conveys a certain elegance and style which the couple feels reflects their lives and they want that continued in their home.  Can the same be said about “home” congressional districts? 

Georgia congressional politics in swing districts involves the left, the center and the right.  The candidate who gets two of those three segments can win.  Currently, the Blue Dogs get the left and the center in a skillful display of balance.  The right seems to have little interest in producing candidates with centrist appeal.  If the suburban dwellers that are center-right become more comfortable with the Blue Dogs (reacting to the anger of the protesters, the negative vibe of talk radio and T.V. and the pending presidential bid of Palin) the right won’t be able to win swing districts—and they know it.  

But, what those of us in the center don’t seem to understand is that conservatism leaves little room for flexibility.  Conservative friends have been saying that for years but people would not listen.  Everyone remembers the classic Oprah show when Dr. Maya Angelou said people tell you who they really are when you first meet them—believe them.   Conservatives are not looking to build a winning coalition with anyone else; they are waiting for the rest of the voters to “realize” the error of their ways and move right—far right.  I still can’t believe that some on the right view Georgia’s Republican senators as liberals.  Really—not centrists or moderates but liberals.  Senators who national sources rank as clearly conservatives.  The same people are beating up Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham this week for not being real conservatives also. 

Okay, let me see if I finally get this:

 -Not every Republican is a conservative. 

-Not every Democrat is a liberal.

From those two theories, the 2010 congressional elections in Georgia look bright for the Blue Dogs because the traditional Democrats (liberals) afford them leeway to be somewhat conservative or centrist, but the conservative purists are purging their ranks of any Republicans who are not pure-bred red.  Putting the castaways in the doghouse—the Blue doghouse.

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Tennis and the Blue Dog Democrats

Posted in African Americans, Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , , on August 4, 2009| Leave a Comment »

On the tennis court this morning, I faced the old “go left, go right” decision several times.  If I chose the wrong direction, my opponent could hit the ball in the opposite area and I would be burnt like toast.   A deeper consideration of that situation states that a player can accelerate in the current direction but changing direction is almost impossible.  In the 70s, we called that “the wrong foot” or “caught you leaning.” 

Politics mirrors sports at times and a person’s temperament on the field, court, or even playing chess tells you about his nature in business and elsewhere.  My opinion on “what’s next” in American politics was incorrect.  If I thought center, the South when right and I “got caught” leaning. 

When the conservative movement swept the nation, the Blue Dogs emerged as a moderate division of the Democrat Party, a home for those who felt the Right was too far right.  I naturally assumed that a similar moderate subdivision of the Republican Party would materialize after the election results of the last few years.  At this point, the situation is the opposite.  If you listen to conservative friends, you will learn that the commitment the Right has to their core principles is unwavering and inflexible.  If the general public wants to vote differently, those voters must be collectively mistaken about the best interests of our nation.

As I have written in the past, the GOP has a short bench of rising stars who could challenge the Democrats on issues, budget and logic; Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin comes to mind.  Unfortunately, others are more appealing to their base. We likely will not see a fresh crop of positive GOP candidates against the Blue Dogs in the South next year.  As General Colin Powell recently pointed out on Larry King, there are legitimate concerns with the speed and spending of the Democrats.  However, the GOP is opting for red meat candidates from the far right rather than those who could appeal to the center—great idea for the primary season but the general election is a different matter.  Of course, it is their party and they will live with the results of their strategies.    

The alarming part to me is that the leader of “what’s next” from the Right will not be Gingrich with his intellect or Romney with his command of the business world and financial markets.  You and I both know who is the next leader of the Right and what she will need to do and say to win; put on your seatbelt and prepare for a bumpy ride. 

I personally like Michael Steele and hope that our community will have an opportunity to better connect politically with our obvious conservative nature in the South.  However, going from a Blue Dog moderate to the far right is seriously wrong foot.  We will see how this situation plays itself out but don’t asked me because I often lean wrong. 

Bottomline: Will we see smoother GOP candidates or will others prevail?  If the GOP wants to push all moderates and centrists out, I am sure the Blue Dogs will take them. To finish the tennis parallel relative to politics, I tend to hang in the middle and go short distances left or right.  If you drift far left or far right, the other guy can pass you with ease.

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Young Cons rapping on Huckabee Show

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , on June 15, 2009| 3 Comments »

Blog contributor HBA said she saw Young Cons on the Fox channel.  Megan Fox or Vivica Fox has her own channel and Huckabee has a show there.  Kidding aside, it’s is cool that rapping as a medium grown from the streets of New York to every corner of the nation and globe. 

I have been in the developing world and some lovely woman says in broken English that hip hop and the urban struggle is similar to their struggle with their oppressors.  While I am from the rural area, who am I to argue with a local.  I might as well claim to assisting with the creation of hip hop the same summer I helped Al Gore create the internet.

But, I still won’t turn my baseball cap to the side (that’s un-American and disrespectful to Jackie Roosevelt Robinson from Cairo, Georgia, and the Negro Leagues.)  And I only turn my cap backwards when I am nailing something in a confined place—HGTV that’s the channel. 

Back to the point, the Young Cons have their message down but should work on their mic skills—rent 8 Mile and watch M flow or better yet check Eric B and Rakim; 3rd Base and Wu Tang Clan.  I am still amazed my Wu Tang Clan’s extensive vocabulary and knowledge so pay attention in school budding rappers.    

Young Con are going to be okay and serve their purpose for them team- peace to them.  Ice-T was wrong to say that Will Smith can’t rap if he is not from ghetto; rap what you know and the children of Black professionals don’t know the struggle…thank heaven. 

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Formula for Black Georgia: C and D after A and B

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on May 23, 2009| 9 Comments »

If one more conservative Georgian asks me how do they make inroads into the Black community, I am going to freaking scream because any adult who doesn’t realize that much of the Black community is conservative or moderate already is not fit to be in the discussion or public policy arena. 

Watch the Blue Dog Democrat congressional field staffers because they go everywhere since everything is governmentally related these days.  Republican field staff go to meetings directly related to the federal government or meetings involving industries and enterprises that generally support their bosses.  That is like preaching to the choir.  An old friend and former GOP Black staffer almost ran for congress from Savannah last year and she was about to shake up the world and create the formula for improving their party’s posture in our community.

The formula is simple: show the flag everywhere.  Democrat and Republican congressmen and women should have a Black staffer or two who rocks business attire well and who, like Hemingway and Brad Pitt, goes everywhere to listen, learn and inform the people.  The information from a moderate or conservative standpoint centers on the message that we are responsible for ourselves, you can’t expect the government to ensure your quality of life, and we are duty-bound to be deliberate in our actions because those who went before us fought for us to have the opportunities that we are squandering.  We should feel guilty-ridden on some level. 

These actions, speeches and talks are grassroots fiscal conservatism.  Real talk: the taxpayers’ money shouldn’t be wasted to address folks messing up in school, fooling with drugs/crime or slacking on their parental duties—if you don’t want to be a parent and work 40 hours a week, it is apparent that you should not be a parent.

My friends and I call it the policy formula of C and D after A and B.  Liberals wanted to address C and D problems with programs and funding without reading the riot act about how the problems were created to ensure that the crisis conditions end.  Conservatives simply say stop doing what you are doing or let them suffer.  Moderates take a more non-linear and comprehensive approach by saying temporarily the response is C and D with the understanding that A and B created this situation and it stops now.  This formula also works when understanding that pass government actions or systematic oppression drove A and B while leading to C and D.  But some of those victim arguments when out of the door when Obama walked into the White House; if a Black guy with a funny name can be president, you can get yourself together.  While racism and discrimination will continue for the decades to come, many community problems are FUBU. 

President Obama is surrounded by liberals but he is about to show his moderate if not conservative Kansas roots.  His vision for improving America includes a national discussion that is basically taking some folks to the proverbial woodshed.  Waterboarding can’t compare to what Mr. Niceguy is about to do and for all the ultra-liberals he would lose, Obama will get four moderates to replace them.  It will be a thing of beauty that actually changes to the mindsets of millions.  I strongly suggest the Right beat him to the punch (which is what conservatives were supposed to be doing instead of kissing up to corporate America only.)

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Political Lip Service: Democrats and Republicans

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on May 12, 2009| Leave a Comment »

But it sometimes turns out that national and state leaders in the same party came to realize that not all members of the other party are evil, wrong, and all together scum of the earth.  I am going to break my arm patting myself on the back for having friends and associates from all over the political spectrum.  While we get heated in discussions, all of us are well-intended Americans who want the nation to succeed.  The question becomes “how do we get there.”  

At times, the Democrats want to mother the people and kiss their boo boos while the Republicans want to be the tough discipline-oriented father types.  In the Georgia congressional delegation, they must be making secret pacts in the House and Senate cloakrooms that say, “colleague, I actually like you but you know we must mix it up in public to keep the party faithful pleased…you understand, right.” 

When the GOP ran the White House, both houses of Congress and Georgia state government, they had a swagger and attitude that would have made Caesar and Napoleon envious.  Their control over the federal government is gone for now but they still have that swagger.  To many of them, they weren’t wrong in policies and actions; the voters were charmed and mislead by the brilliance of Obama and his bottomless moneybag.  Huh? 

Watch the Republicans who honesty say, “my bad, we got off track.”  Those self-reflecting leaders are keepers and they are the one who know that party politics is secondary to fixing our economy and our place on the world stage.  These guys also realize what the hardhead can’t see or hear: President Obama is about America more than being about the Democrat Party—remember the diehard Democrats really wanted Hillary or Edwards before the masses (including non-party people and new voters) stood up and said “Obama..Obama.”  

That observation means Obama can take consult from conservatives and moderates who seek to rein in spending and debt after this orgy of stimulus/recovery spending. Those who pull Obama to the center will be credited with not waiting until the next election to take action and the center will acknowledge their prudent decisions. 

PIC-0082

Whom am I fooling with that fantasy talk?  And if the leaves of this magnolia tree outside my window turn into hundred dollar bills, I can take a LL Bean dufflebag full of money to SunTrust.  It is not going to happen because major party operatives benefit from the fighting and drama but read the actions of the Georgia Senators and congressmen.  When was the last time you saw then really working hard to get rid of a member from the other party—okay, Congresswoman McKinney.   

And if you want to go on the “Listening Tour,” you should also listen to the people who did not vote for you, understand why they did not and engage them in a healthy dialog.  That’s what the Blue Dog Democrats did; they listened to the center and some conservatives and secured enough support to be Blue in otherwise Red areas.  Can you say emulate?

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Lifeboat and Community Conservatives

Posted in politics, tagged , on March 25, 2009| 1 Comment »

Canada Lee from "Lifeboat"

Canada Lee from "Lifeboat"

In our community (code for Black folks), we are in a lifeboat like the people in that Hitchcock movie.  Decisions must be made about how far we are from safety, how long scarce resources will last, and what or who should be jettisoned.  We need the strong to row and those with self-inflicted inquires eat last.  The loudmouth mutineers who want to cause a ruckus might find a watery grave.

 

King Solomon’s palms would be on his forehead if he were struggling with our current dilemmas.  The peaceful, law-abiding majority in our community spend too much time addressing problems created by the fraction that does not “act right” and that fraction’s actions justify Blacks who don’t want to be around certain negative Blacks.  T.V. can be an education resources because “Cops” and A&E’s “Intervention” hipped me to horrible consequences of White and Black drug abuse. 

 

On this theoretical lifeboat, the thug element might toss everyone else overboard and drink half the water and rinse off their sneakers with the other half.  The skyrocketing criminal justice cost is taking away from good kids in college and vocational college.  While our best youth are fighting in foreign wars, the worst element is fighting in the street to the degree that sharecroppers’ widows in my town fortress themselves inside their modest homes—day and night.  Those widows look at me as if to say “it’s on you so be the man your daddy raised and talk with these kids.”

 

Back in the day, those neighbors would just look at us and we would respectfully take the party to the backyard or turn the music down. (Fools barbeque in the front yard)  But, these guys in the big white T-shirts who push their car seats back are about to make me move–that’s not burning leaves I am smelling. 

 

I have a Black conservative friend who always says her folks taught her that life is too short to argue with fools.  She should be a fresh congresswoman this year and leader of a movement I have termed “community conservatives.”  CCs are those in the community who have always sought to emphasis the limited role of government, personal responsibility and commitment to continuing our push drive from equality through rational decision-making.  To put in plainly, act like you have some sense in your head.

 

CCs never really thought the government should ensure prosperity for all because our governmental and economic system is designed to reward hard work and perversion while understanding that bad decision-makers will nature limit their success.  If the system provides an equal opportunity for all, those who did not make it big should understand their condition is a result of their actions.   Hell, I don’t know the answers but I do know the predators in my community don’t have white hoods, they have really big white T-shirts and the they are constantly recruiting good kids for bad activities. 

 

With all due respect to the sweet old ladies in my neighborhood, I won’t be speaking to the thug element because logic, reason and community are concepts that escape them.  On his way to federal prison, last night rapper T.I. said that “that iron” (jail cells) would straighten them out but again with the cost of “three hots and a cot.”  To me, those shackles are a modern, voluntary form of slavery.

 

My conservative friend should get with other community conservatives (sign me up) and say to liberals “enough with the grants to respond to problems; address the situation before it becomes a problem.”  If we are on this lifeboat, sound planning is the key to survival.  The old reggae lyric said we can’t sink while others float because we are all in the same big boat. 

 

Would community conservatives be more comfortable as Black Blue Dog Democrats or some needed new moderate division of Michael Steele’s GOP?

 

 

The youth need to know blacklisted actor Canada Lee from Hitchcock’s Lifeboat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Lee

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