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Happy Holidays and Politics

Posted in African Americans, politics, tagged , , , on November 6, 2009| Leave a Comment »

happy-holidays

I want to be the first to say Happy Holidays but how happy can the season be with the constant political bickering and endless campaigning.  Do you mean the 2010 elections and the 2012 presidential race have already started.  Give me a break…literally.  Barring something huge, my blogging for the rest of year will focus on what we can do as a community to mend ourselves with less government spending and involvement—the regular stuff is debated and discussed too much elsewhere on the web and T.V.  It’s covered. 

We are thinking about Obama and Congress every wake hour because the national agenda (jobs, security, job security) is very important but do we think about Sweet Jesus this much?  (I know I don’t and yes, momma, if lightning struck me down, I would bust hell wide open.) 

I just googled “hell wide open” and someone wrote that people should read Luke 6:37: And judge not and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not and ye shall not be condemned.  Wow, that is timely because my moderate friends did not ride Bush 41 or Bush 43 like Clinton was ridden and Obama needs a saddle on his back.  But, the hatred for Hillary Clinton when she was first lady was inexplicable.  Some of those same people realized last year that Hillary was always a quality person but they were too busy hating to see that in the 90s.  In contrast, my friends think Laura Bush is one of the most reasonable people on the right; heaven only knows what drama the last White House would have gotten the nation into without her private counsel.   

I am patiently waiting for President Obama to drop his “community heal thou self” effort.  People who know how to listen heard him say that from the second he stepped on the national stage.  That call can only come from the Obamas, Colin Powell, Dr. Condi Rice, Oprah, Bill Cosby, Spike Lee, and posthumously Arthur Ashe.  Wait a minute, most Black families had that message back in the day and many still do. If those discussions (which are nothing new) started to hit home, they become our own version of conservatism/moderation.  On a lighter note, my buddy told his son that no White man was going to fly all over the world in cold weather to bring him free gifts.  Dude said, “I bought you that stuff with the money I made at work.” 

During Thanksgiving, we broke folks are tempted to say, “why should I be thankful.” A quick ride to the other side of town can quickly put things into perspective or rewatching Roots, Saving Private Ryan, or Schindler’s List.  The new movie Precious might be one for that list also.  When you see people staving in the developing world or watch a person who can’t move below his chest, you should get it.  But, we spend some much money helping those who poison themselves with drugs or who’s health situation is a result of overeating.  I have been to some places in the world where they could not image having enough food to get sick from obesity. When I walk down the street there, people say, “Hello American” as if to say I know you are an American because you have a belly…. congratulations on having some much food.    

For the rest of the year, my blog post might seem more social commentary or community dreaming than political views and insight.  However, the new line of discussions is at the root of my concerns more than what the government can, will or should do.  What was J.F.K.’s most important quote again?

Happy Holidays

Keep it logical

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Anthony Foxx Wins Mayor’s Office in Charlotte, North Carolina

Posted in politics, tagged , , on November 6, 2009| Leave a Comment »

http://www.wsoctv.com/politics/21528474/detail.html

With all the attention focused on other contests, we missed the election of Anthony Foxx as the youngest mayor in Charlotte, North Carolina history.  He seems like a very positive guy and could be the next step in moving the nation forward city by city…neighborhood by neighborhood.  Some old heads complaint that Obama is not surrounded by as many Black faces as Bill Clinton had and Hillary would have had if she won.  But, the Obama team responds that they look for the right people (that post-racial thing) rather than what could be considered quotas on some level. 

Congressman Sanford Bishop was the only Congressional Black Caucus member seriously considered for the Obama cabinet because his crossover approach to governing in the Georgia General Assembly and later in Congress must have served as a model for the next wave of Black governmental leadership (Obama, Harold Ford Jr., Artur Davis, Devel Patrick.)  The people (Black, White, Red and Brown) currently with and near Obama will be senators and governors in ten years but more importantly they will be corporate and academic leaders with better vision than the “give us” crew of old. Come to think about it, Obama has more Republicans in his cabinet than CBC members. 

Best Wishes to Mayor Foxx of the Queen City.  Charlotte was actually named for a Black woman.  Queen Charlotte was married to George III of England when he lost the American colonies.  The NoDa section of Charlotte is a former warehouse district with cool music spots, art galleries, lofts and a funky vibe; they have a Dog Bar where people chill with their pets.  I wouldn’t walk in that place wearing a Michael Vick jersey.  

231px-Charlotte1761close-up

Queen Charlotte of England

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_of_Mecklenburg-Strelitz

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President Barrack Obama Won Tuesday’s Elections

Posted in African Americans, Conservative, politics, tagged , , on November 5, 2009| 3 Comments »

Election night this and early analysis that is fine but my opinion of Tuesday’s results are deliberate, measured, and after deep contemplation. (Okay, my dinosaur of a computer was having hard drive issues.)

And the winner is: President Barrack Obama.  (Somebody up there really loves him.)

If the Democrats did well in the elections, the party base would push harder for more of the costly change “we can believe in” but can’t afford—financially or politically.   They would push for more traditional liberal candidates for the midterm elections next year and force actions matters that would embolden the far-right.  However, the governors races in New Jersey and Virginia confirmed that the alliance that put the president in office is big but frail, constructed of people who are new to the glacier pace of public policy and based in large part on Obama himself being one great guy (not the party but Obama—glacier-cool rock star.)  We are talking Rat Pack cool, Hemingway smooth, Sidney Poitier with a Havard Law degree.

The brain trust in Obama’s corner wants a reason to pull White House policies to the center but needed it done before the midterm election nightmare President Bill Clinton experienced—like a little nightmare during a cat nap. “We want to drive the good liberal agenda but we would lose the congress next year and the White House in 2012…to Palin.”

And the first runners-up are: Those Blue Dog Democrats. (Somebody up there really loves Obama and knows he needs them.)

As a result of the elections and the protest movement, the Blue Dogs get policies that makes better fiscal sense and they get to be the models for swing districts despite the far-left illusion that they are running America.  Democrats need to sit down and learn from Al Gore.  Clinton/Gore and the congressional Democrats broke their necks attempting to help regular folks but regular folks must turn into regular votes.  The key to the elections next year will be success from Obama White House policies and some long coattails.  They say young and minority voters don’t go to the polls for mid-term elections; those voters have never been asked by a young minority rock star.

Possible losers from Tuesday night: Michael Steele and the crew that fields GOP congressional candidates next year. 

If Steele followed the blueprint he outlined while running for chairman, he would be searching for cooler, less bitter conservatives (Red Dogs.)  But, Rush, Glenn and Fox News will pick some real firebrands who are perfect for the far-right but scary the daylights out of the moderates needed to win in certain areas.  If they listen to Newt and Steele, they would be much better off.

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Newt Gingrich’s “Adequately Conservative” Litmus Test: Scozzafava v. Hoffman in New York

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on October 27, 2009| 10 Comments »

At this point, we all know that the Dede Scozzafava v. Doug Hoffman race in New York’s 23rd congressional district is a battle that might clear the way for Democrat candidate Bill Owens to take that seat.  The Obama White House picked Republican Congressman John McHugh to be Secretary of the Army and open the opportunity to have a Democrat win the seat—another smooth move from WH Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel no doubt.

This move actually could have far reaching ramification because it sparked a civil war on the Right between the GOP establishment that wants to win elections and possibly take the House back, and the conservative movement that wants all candidates with them on most issues.  Here’s the thing about hanging with revolutionaries: they want action and they want it now. Tea Partiers are no joke on the right and the progressives that voted for change are no joke on the left. 

I saw Newt Gingrich on T.V. warning that far-right litmus test for candidates will lead the Right to becoming a very passionate 20% of the electorate and you can win nationally with those numbers.  Then I saw the video on Speaker Gingrich “breaking it down” that Scozzafava is “adequately conservative” in an upstate New York district and that she would vote for Minority Leader John Boeher to be speaker.  Period.  The End.  Jeb Bush tried to tell them; Colin Powell did the same. 

A political party that gets beatdown decides to seek candidates relative to the situation in their particular districts.  That the method Democrats employed when they came to understand that south Georgia is not south central L.A.; give the Blue Dogs some slack because Dems in the south are moderate if not somewhat conservative.  Scozzafava would be the GOP version of this formula and folks on right are flipping out. 

Centrists have called for less bitter GOP candidates in Blue Dog districts if the Red Team has any hope of taking the congress back soon (a Black GOP candidate would be the real answer but that would be to much like right.)  Speaker Tom Foley once said any jackass can kick down a barn but it takes a carpenter to build one.  Building consensus is key to governing a diverse nation.   Without flexibility on who is “adequately conservative,” Obama will be president when the next Black Republican serves in congress from the South….President Sasha Obama.

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Cadillac Records and Politics: Marketing the Blues

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , on October 25, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Howlin' Wolf Arrives Proudly at Chess Records

Howlin' Wolf Arrives Proudly at Chess Records

The cable channel Starz is playing the movie Cadillac Records and I watched it while thinking about politics past and present.  The film, based on Chess Records, chronicles the musical careers of Leonard Chess, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Etta James and Little Walter.

Chess decided to start a blues label to get paid from the emerging sound of “race” records.  Of course, gospel produced blues and blues produced R&B, and Rock and Roll is really blue-eyed R&B.  You can’t blame Chess for making money in the Black community—the same can be said for the White corner stores from our childhood and the Asian corner stores in our communities today.  Most of the artists in the film were happy if they had liquor, women and flashy cars but Howlin’ Wolf was different.  In real life, Howlin’ Wolf, Chester Arthur Burnett, drove himself to Chicago from the Mississippi Delta with $4,000 in his pocket. 

Though functionally illiterate into his 40s, Wolf returned to school, earned a GED and later took accounting and business courses.  He married an educated woman who managed is professional finances so well that he paid his band members decent salaries and provided health insurance.  To see Muddy Waters go to Chess repeatedly for money struck a nerve with me.  I remember hearing in college that Minnesota Fats was Etta James’ father but seeming someone look for validation from someone who is not interesting in them got on my last nerve. 

The same can be said about the relationships between the Black community and the two major political parties.  In Georgia politics, Blacks are the consistent base of the Democrat Party but Black candidates for high office will usually find someone jumping in the primary race who the establishment deem more electable.  I just realized that candidate for governor of Georgia Thurbert Baker has been state attorney general since 1997.  But, some in the Democrat establishment thinks former Governor Roy Barnes is the guy to take back the governor’s mansion.  We know that the next governor will likely be GOP in this red state so let’s hope their nominee is familiar with our community on some level.

The GOP in this state can’t produce a Black congressional candidate if left to their own devices because they don’t understand the moderate to conservative nature southern Blacks.  Leonard Chess was smart enough to let the artists do their things and Michael Steele should do the same thing with Black GOP candidates or White candidates who need Black support to win.  Of course, they don’t think they need Black or moderate support.  Did Chess and later Barry Gordy at Motown follow established norms or did they put it out there and let the people decide—sounds like Obama over the Clintons.

A conservative, self-determination movement is brewing the Black community and the Democrats are poised to be the beneficiaries while the GOP battles internally with their worst elements.  You Black Republicans need to stop asking if this candidate or that candidate is acceptable to the GOP establishment and just do it like Howlin’ Wolf—without advances or approval from the boss man- just give the boss man his cut and he will smile all the way to Suntrust Bank.

A conservative, self-determination movement is brewing the Black community and the Democrats are poised to be the beneficiaries while the GOP battles internally with their worst elements.  You Black Republicans need to stop asking if this candidate or that candidate is acceptable to the GOP establishment and just do it like Howlin’ Wolf—without advances or approval from the boss man- just give the boss man his cut and he will smile all the way to Suntrust Bank.

(Cue Etta James or Beyonce crooning “At Last.”)

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Black GOP All-Star lineup on Radio Talk Show

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on October 23, 2009| 1 Comment »

I look forward to hearing the Raynard Jackson Show via the internet at 7:00p.m. this Saturday.  The call-in guests include Michael Murphy and Dr. Deborah Honeycutt.  That is going to be good—it would need to be for me to listen during the Florida v. Miss. State football game.

This situation is no game: if the GOP can’t tap into the wealth of African American talent in Georgia to find a conservative congressional winner, I personally don’t think that party is comfortable with us.  (“Us” being moderates.)  They would actually prefer running a far-right candidates in Blue Dog districts who will lose to running a less-bitter Black who can compete in our community and win.  I can tell you that Murphy and Honeycutt are pleasant, intelligent people—like Barrack Obama and Sanford Bishop.  As we say down here in the piney woods, drafting Murphy, Honeycutt or a similar person in the 12th congressional district would be “to much like right.”

http://my.ustalknetwork.com/group/raynardjackson

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Louisiana Marriage, Ugly Betty, and Ugly America

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on October 17, 2009| 2 Comments »

Yaya Decosta

Yaya DaCosta

I don’t know about this drama with the couple in Louisiana and the justice of the peace.  But, Yaya DaCosta from “America’s Next Top Model” played Vanessa Williams’ character’s daughter on Ugly Betty last night.  If someone tried to stop me from marrying Yaya if we were in the same age range or if someone tried to block me from marrying Jenny on the Jefferson (Berlinda Tolbert) back in the day, we would have had some real problems. 

What’s the deal with people saying, “I can’t believe this is still happening?”  Newsflash: many Americans are often clueless about people of other cultures or regions.  To be honest, I love the American president but I think he doesn’t know how ugly some places can.  I read second book and wow, sometimes he could not get a cab.  When I was a kid, we were not allow to checkout books from the public library and forget about using the restroom between southwest Georgia and Savannah.  Orange juice bottle.

Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and I are better authorities racism—the dirty south is not Kansas and it dam sure isn’t Hawaii.  President Obama positive vibe is encouraging but I will be dead for decades before attitudes truly change in this nation.  Actually, a new question is how long will certain segments of the Black community tolerate certain other segments.  I will leave that alone—you don’t talk family business in public.

At church, the pastor says it is better to marry than burn.  Well, I would have been burning hot behind the collar if someone kept me from Yaya or Berlinda.

Berlina Tolbert

Berlina Tolbert

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Black Republicans and The Fox News Article: The Plot Thickens

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , on October 15, 2009| 6 Comments »

After the interesting Fox News article about Black GOP candidates, conservative political consultant Raynard Jackson wrote a column that goes into details regarding his concerns.   

Black Republicans Running >From Race

Raynard Jackson 

Black Republicans running for various offices this election cycle seem to be running from race while running their race.  This is one of the most asinine things I have every seen, but not unexpected.  This is why Black Republicans have no credibility within their own community. 

Just wondering because I know they all claim to be candidates of great principles and I know they would stand up for right because they are the voice of the people, right? 

Finally, can you tell me if you have any Blacks on your paid campaign staffs with hiring or decision making authority?  Are you spending any campaign money with Black vendors (office supplies, computer services, restaurants, caterers, etc)?  Are there any Black banks in your area that you are utilizing?

I would be stunned if any of the campaigns could answer yes to these questions.  But, this is my offer to them.  I am offering 30 minutes of air time on my radios how (www.ustalknetwork.com) to each candidate to address these issues and talk about their campaigns.

So, while you are running your race, please don’t continue to forget your race!

Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-based political consulting/government affairs firm.   You can listen to his radio show every Saturday evening from 7-9:00 p.m.  Go to www.ustalknetwork.com to register and then click on host, and then click on his photo to join his group. 

Last week I was interviewed by Kelley Beaucar Vlahos of  FOXNews.com.  The story was published this past Monday (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/12/carter-obama-allen-west-race-card/).   

I was appalled at the comments of these Black office seekers and their obvious lack of understanding of how their words would be interpreted by those in the Black community.  Allen West, a retired Army colonel running against Democratic Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22nd), said, “Since (Democrats) have thrown out the race card, it has made me more appealing….because it shows the contrast of our principles—how different we are even though we both have permanent tans (referring to President Obama).”  West continued, “A lot of people who don’t want to be part of Obama’s policies are being called racist….Then they say, Hey, this guy, Colonel West—he’s Black and I support him…. It has nothing to do with race…People don’t care about your color, they care about your character.”   

But, Colonel West, WAIT!  You said it was not about race, then you say you’re Black, therefore people in your district are supporting you (because you are Black).  Which is it?  So, let me make sure I understand you.  White people are supporting you because you are Black so that you can speak out against the Black president, so the white people won’t have to (because they can’t call you a racist since you are Black).  Oh, I get it now.  You know we have a term for people like that and it begins with the word UNCLE!

Ryan Frazier is a 31 year old city councilman in Colorado and is running for the U.S. Senate in the Republican primary.  Frazier said that being Black is an asset.  So when he opposes the president’s policies, no one can call him a racist.  According to Frazier, “I don’t think they will be able to use that argument against me or engage in those tactics against me.”  So, let me interpret this.  Because of the skin color that you say doesn’t matter, you are able to criticize the president because of the very skin color that you say doesn’t matter?  Ok, now I understand. 

Michael Williams has served several terms as Texas Railroad Commissioner and is currently running for the U.S. Senate seat that current senator Kay Hutchinson is vacating to run for governor.  He states that his Blackness will be an asset.  According to the article, “one of the things it allows me to do….it allows me to speak very, very frankly about what I believe, and what I feel, and nobody is going to call me a racist.”  Again, I am confused.  His Blackness is only an asset when it comes to denigrating a Black president and his policies.  According to Williams, other than giving him cover in criticizing the president, his race doesn’t exist.  Wow, either he is color blind or just blind to people of color. 

Do these guys hear themselves and how ridiculous they sound?  Have you ever heard of a Jewish candidate denying or distancing themselves from their own heritage?  Or a Latino or Asian?  These groups use their ethnicity to endear themselves to voters from their group while at the same time building coalitions to expand their base of support

Can you be against the president’s policies and not be a racist?  Without question.  But, I challenge these candidates to answer a few questions for me.   

What does describing Obama as a Nazi have to do with healthcare?  What does calling him a liar during a joint session of Congress have to do with healthcare?  How does calling him a socialist, fascist, or communist, further the healthcare debate?  So, you would think that if this debate was about healthcare, the signs at town hall meetings and rallies would read, “how will you pay for your plan, Mr. President, how will it be implemented, or what if I don’t want your plan?”  Those would be legitimate questions.   

Another question for the candidates, are there any public statements by them speaking out against the actions of Congressman Joe Wilson during the president’s speech before a joint session of Congress? 

Are there any public statements by them chastising individuals and party officials for some of the incendiary rhetoric coming from Republicans (Barak the Magic Negro, calling Michelle Obama a monkey, or the celebration by many conservatives that Chicago was eliminated from Olympic consideration)?   

Just wondering because I know they all claim to be candidates of great principles and I know they would stand up for right because they are the voice of the people, right? 

Finally, can you tell me if you have any Blacks on your paid campaign staffs with hiring or decision making authority?  Are you spending any campaign money with Black vendors (office supplies, computer services, restaurants, caterers, etc)?  Are there any Black banks in your area that you are utilizing?

I would be stunned if any of the campaigns could answer yes to these questions.  But, this is my offer to them.  I am offering 30 minutes of air time on my radios how (www.ustalknetwork.com) to each candidate to address these issues and talk about their campaigns.

So, while you are running your race, please don’t continue to forget your race!

Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-based political consulting/government affairs firm.   You can listen to his radio show every Saturday evening from 7-9:00 p.m.  Go to www.ustalknetwork.com to register and then click on host, and then click on his photo to join his group.

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Black Republicans candidates and the Fox News Article: Jacked-up Planning…Again

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on October 13, 2009| 5 Comments »

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/12/carter-obama-allen-west-race-card/

The political part of the web is buzzing about the Fox News article on Black GOP candidates for congress.  This article highlights what is fundamentally wrong with the approach of Black elephant candidates: push the color blindness.  Of course, all issues before congress concern all Americans but when will the Black community birth a Black conservative candidate rather than the conservative community selecting someone they find suitable or innocuous.  

I am talking about a community-oriented person who speaks passionately about the limited role of government, personal responsibility and self-determination like Dr. Bill Cosby—speaking out of love for the community and the nation rather than hate for Obama.  The dilemma is finding a candidate who appeals to the right and our community also.  In classic GOP form, it rarely crosses the GOP establishments’ mind to find candidates that will be acceptable to Black centrists.  Here is a little trick: get some non-GOP Blacks’ opinions on the candidates first. 

Raynard Jackson, a Black political consultant mention in the article, should be the GOP pointman on Black candidates and the worst nightmare of the Dem Team—in think he knows how to pick and position them.  You grow candidates in the “farm system” like Major League Baseball so go find a list of Black congressional and administration staffers from the 90s and you will find some proven quality candidates who will likely have community, civic and college connections that can net them 20% of the Black vote walking in the door without compromising their core conservatives principles and spending a ton of money.  What these candidates should do is speak against the crazy talk of the most extreme elements of the far right—stay on the issues.  Newsflash:  that move will get them even more Black votes.        

I noticed that the Fox News article attributed the Democrats lock on Black votes to LBJ’s social programs without mentioning the GOP’s Southern Strategy.  That makes me appreciate CNN so much.  Anyone who only watches Fox News or MSNBC doesn’t know what they are missing.

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

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Georgia Congressional Game Changer

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on October 11, 2009| 1 Comment »

The race in Georgia’s 8th congressional district won’t be a race at all without a game-changer element; a Republican candidate who can benefit from Rep. Marshall’s icy attitude toward President Obama.  The same Jim Marshall who was wild about mentioning President Bush in his past campaign ads.

 State Senator Ross Tolleson would be next viable candidate because he has the bio and credentials of a member of congress—UGA, banker, farmer, KA, family guy.  When I was a staffer, a KA ring was the ticket for Georgia power or Georgia Power. The question becomes: Is Tolleson that much different from Rep. Marshall in the eyes of the average voter?  Notice I said “the average voter” rather than pundits, bloggers, or strong party members.  While this is a mid-term election, Marshall’s townhall meeting sounded like a two-hour lovefest from the center and right.  To win a traditional GOP candidate must secure new voters on the far right because Marshall is already center right. 

 To me, this situation for the GOP is similar to Obama and Hillary.  It was Hillary’s turn and she would have made an excellent president—old girl is tough as nails.  But, the conservatives detest Bill and Hillary enough to rally around McCain and they might have won the White House.  It was not fair but life is not fair.  Hillary took one for the team. 

 I don’t see a traditional GOP candidate beating Marshall so if anyone asked me (no one ask me) I would say think outside the box, take advantage of the icy Obama situation and get a quality African American candidate.  Since the heaviest Black GOPer in the district would be the gentleman who ran for mayor of Macon and came up short, they should look just outside the district—which would bring suburban Atlanta into play.

 The Right really doesn’t understand Black voters.  I would take Dr. Deborah Honeycutt or Michael Murphy from suburban Atlanta and split the Black vote like a Georgia peach.  What a fascinating dilemma: incumbent congressman who is a former mayor with strong ties in every community who ices down the young president and blows off healthcare reform.  On the other hand, a GOP African American candidate who is conservative but smooth with it; keeping the vibe constructive and positive—a tea partier with a little honey mixed in. (That’s clever—“honey cut” into the tea from the bitterness of the protest).  Michael Murphy remains me of sage Donald Sutherland; he would be well received in professional Black circles and among those concerned with personal responsibility.  

 You know certain conservative principles would be more effective coming from certain voices. That’s your game changer.  Would Blacks vote for someone we like but only recently met?   Yes we can.

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Former Senator Bob Dole: Getting them told..for old and new

Posted in politics, tagged , , on October 9, 2009| 1 Comment »

Former Senator Bob Dole recently said what needs to be said about deep partisans on both sides of the political divide; people who want to kill issues not on the merits but because they don’t want the other side to get credit for an achievement.  These old school guys did it with grace and style back in the day; tastefully opposing legislation but primarily putting the national interest first. 

If you are not familiar with “getting someone told,” you are not from the South.  My mother would tell us, “When I get you (pending whippings), I am going to get you for old and new.”  She would wait days until we were having fun…talk about your domestic terrorism.  As Tom Petty sang, the waiting is the hardest part.  If people in Dole’s party don’t open up to more positive members of their team, they might have plenty electoral whippings in their future.  Listening to the old school guys (like wise uncles) can keep you out of trouble and in good graces but the hardhead never learn.  They listen to their mischievous friends (talk media) who “get ghost” when the drama starts.   

 http://www.kctv5.com/video/21229067/index.html

 http://www.kctv5.com/news/21229662/detail.html 

The big headliner of the day was former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, who used plenty of humor to lay out a case for a bi-partisan package. It’s a plan that keeps affordability in mind and puts quality of care front and center, along with making health care available to all Americans.

“Sometimes people fight you just to fight you,” Dole said about bi-partisanship. “They don’t want Reagan to get it. They don’t want Obama to get it. So they’ve got to kill it. Not because of the merits of the bill, but because they don’t want the president to get any credit.” 

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Tardy For the Party: President Obama, Michael Steele, Blue Dog Democrats

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on September 30, 2009| 4 Comments »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq4JAUz-cYs&feature=related

With a nod to the ladies of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, “Don’t Be Tardy For the Party” should apply to some folks in the political arena also.  First, Kim should understand that the song is as much her tune as the GOP is Michael Steele’s operation.  Kandi is the wizard behind the curtain who made that track hot and Nene came up with the idea.  Steele is a smart man but heads a party with a different mindset and demeanor than his.  To continue the analogy, Rush Limbaugh is Kandi and Glenn Beck is Nene.  

Steele, who I really wanted in the Senate, heads a party that is not remotely interested in the blueprint he outlined while running for chair.  Diversity and reaching out has given way to the “spirit” of the protest movement; moderates and centrists shouldn’t be comfortable in the new-look GOP.  Georgia is one of the best states in the nation for African Americans and Steele’s party should find a Black congressional candidate down here.  The brother is tardy for the party because he knows that what is being played is something he doesn’t want to hear—it’s back to the future with a rehashed southern strategy.  This tune sounds very familiar.  

President Obama should slow down because his plate is too full; he can’t be everywhere for everyone.  Going to Europe to support Chicago’s bid for the Olympics was too much with everything else that is popping.  I agree with Michael Steele on this one; the Chi-town crew should have given the first homie a pass on this one.   In Georgia, we had an Olympics and it is a party that is a lot of work; and things can turn tragic if the wrong people show up.  (I better leave that alone before talk turns to domestic terrorists who are fueled by reckless hate speak—“just words.”) 

The Blue Dog Democrats must be with the party on healthcare reform.  Of course, my mother used to say the only thing I must do is “stay Black and die” when I said I must be at a party or the skating rink.  Georgia Rep. Jim Marshall skipped the Democratic National Convention and likely didn’t vote for Obama/Biden—the ultimate tardy for the party but voting no on the healthcare reform would be the final indication that his district really is a red one and not blue.  I am not going to slam the guy for voting the will of his constituents but I question the supporters of the public option who allow Democrat money to flow into his war chest.   My Blue Dog congressman in southwest Georgia took heat this summer for standing strong at townhall meetings regarding his views on healthcare reform–I respect that. 

But, Georgia Democrats who will vote against healthcare reform should anticipate the erosion of their Black bases—remember, that base gives you more votes that the vocal protesters.  If you tell me you are having a party, not only am I not tardy but I will ask if you need me to bring anything, come early to prep the grill or stay late to cleanup.  I was the party police in college and would watch an inconsiderate person put down a half full can of beer or soda, go to the bathroom and then go get a new can.  First, my daddy always said never leave a drink at a party for safety reasons.  Secondly, partygoers should not waste beverages.  We called those half-finished drinks “wounded soldiers” because you never leave wounded soldiers behind. 

If we can help all those people in foreign nations, we can figure out away to provide healthcare for most Americans—America first.  With secondary regard for political parties, anyone who doesn’t want to productively participate in the healthcare debate should not only be tardy for the party; they should RSVP so they can be removed from the list. 

The tea partiers can have their own gathering then crash your party.  But will they help clean up any mess created?  The new look GOP have their own issues with the tea partiers—are these guys energetic invited guests or crashers who improved the party.  Would they leave if you asked or start a ruckus?  Would they take your friends with them to a new party?  Back in college, a fight broke out between a fraternity and the football team but what should the guy do who is a football player and a frat member?  “Hey, Blue Dog, are you conservative or Democrat?” “Protester, are you Republican or tea partier?”  Can’t they be both?

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Rep. Joe Wilson, Serena Williams and Kanye West: A Teachable Week

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on September 15, 2009| Leave a Comment »

What can we learn positively from the week of Rep. Joe Wilson, Kanye West, and Serena Williams?  Even if you are sure you’re correct about something, you must function in a civil and orderly manner. 

Serena should appreciate the line judge’s call because we tennis players foot-fault all the time and correction starts with acknowledgement of the problem.  I think Kanye West has some mild mental health issues, which could be related to the car horrible car accident that injured his head, so hopefully he will feel better after his self-imposed break. Taylor Swift’s song is nice but for me Beyonce’s “video” was better.  Politics can learn from this brouhaha because the validation of your work becomes from those most familiar with your genre.  As Swift was saying before she was so rudely interrupted, she could not believe she was getting this award on MTV—as oppose to the CMA Awards.  Remember, D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince won a Grammy for Rap over Public Enemy’s classic “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.” Are you kidding me?  Will Smith and Taylor Swift should continue making what they want for whomever they want but the purist and history will be the final judges—ask MC Hammer and the Dixie Chicks.    

Rep. Wilson needs to read the congressional history of Representative then Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina.  While Calhoun was a strong supporter of states’ rights and slavery, he worked with Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, and Henry Clay of Kentucky to forge the Missouri Compromise in the 1820s, voiding a civil war by bringing Missouri into the union as a slave state and Maine as a free state.  In a side note about slavery, school kids today don’t understand that much of the North’s opposition to slavery wasn’t based on freeing slaves.  The opposition was to expanding slavery as new territories became states because slaves did work for free that the unemployed or underemployed wanted to do for wages—it always comes back to money. 

Rep. Wilson’s opinions reflect the mindset of his constituents and if people in Washington have a problem with that, they should do what always works—“mess” with his funding and appropriations requests.  That’s how LBJ passed civil rights legislation.  You don’t talk trash about powerful people and still expect something from them nor do you stand idly by while people on your side say things you know are not true.  Rahm Emanuel has some LBJ in him so don’t be surprise when some Blue Dog Democrats and some Republicans start noticing their beloved projects on the chopping block.  Don’t mess with Texas?  Please.  Don’t mess with that crew from Chicago, the city with big shoulders.  They are hard and tough up there.  “You want to reduce the size of government..let’s start with your district and state.”  Ouch

http://www.cracked.com/article_15856_7-most-unforgivable-grammy-award-snubs-all-time.html

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Southern Politics: I am Confused…Again

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on September 15, 2009| 7 Comments »

Would someone be so kind as to explain southern politics to me because I am confused?  Georgia’s Blue Dog Democrats worked with President Bush and congressional Republicans on a range of issues because their districts wanted a certain amount of cooperation and civility.  In other words, Democrat voters allowed these congressmen leeway to function in the best interest of our state. 

Today, the shoe is on the other foot but Georgia Republican voters are not allowing their party’s congressmen the same leeway with President Obama (honestly, those congressmen personally don’t like the new White House agenda…personally.)  To me, this is the point where “D” colleagues quietly meet and remind “R” colleagues of past cooperation and the heat Democrats took for that cooperation—just be fair.

Look at it like this: I live in southwest Georgia and my congressional representation comes from a D congressman and two R senators.  I am generally pleased with all three but know that my R friends think the congressman is some now undemocratic or unconstitutional for not doing what they want.  Huh?

The guy wins elects by big numbers so his legislative actions should reflect the will of the people who voted for him—two/thirds of the voters.  On the other hand, an R congressman wins elections my similar margins in southeast Georgia.  A Democrat voter in that part of the state can’t get upset if that conservative doesn’t side with congressional liberals.

I am also confused when the will of the voters is likely wrong.  For example, most rural Georgia voters before 1970 supported laws and policies that treated Black Georgians as second-class citizens—see my point.  While opposition to the current Democrat leaders in congress and the White House is very vocal, the voters elected these leaders fair and square.  To go against the will of the voters would be un-American on some level.

Georgia Blue Dogs have generally been supportive of this White House but Democrat voters should not allow them to take our votes for granted while flirting with far-right voters.

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Silly Season is Now Year-Round: President Obama’s Speech to Schools

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on September 7, 2009| 4 Comments »

The editor of the Albany (Georgia) Herald newspaper made some good points yesterday on the silliness of twisting President Obama’s speech to students into an effort to indoctrinated the youth.  Then, Thomas L. Friedman, my favorite economist, did the same thing on Meet the Press.  To be fair, Obama Green Jobs guy was equally silly for siding in the past with those who thought President Bush knew about the 911 attacks in advance.

Speaking of 911, where was President Bush when he actually learned about those horrible events?  He was sitting on a stage in a Florida elementary school reading the book “My Pet Goat” to kids.  This silly season stuff is starting to get my goat. 

Elected officials, bureaucrats and congressional staff should make themselves more available to speak to kids about the function and limited role of government because governmental decisions will affect their futures. 

I have a friend who teaches high school government/history and he is always asking me when am I coming to “drop knowledge” on his students.  I politely defer to the current congressional staffers who have that covered like a blanket but if I work in that capacity in the future, I would roll up my sleeves, loosen my tie and let them know that respectfully questioning and monitoring the government is vital and patriotic.  If talking with the public about the federal government was the only thing I did for the rest of my life that would be a full life.

For example, some young cats in my community once asked why the congressmen and senators were always talking about agriculture when nobody cares about that around here.  I told them that the only people who should care about agriculture were those people who want to eat safe food, drink clean water and breathe fresh air.  The local school system is funded in large part by the taxes on farmland and farmers and their workers are a big part of who spends money shopping and dining in the larger regional hub city.

We are “involved” in the Middle East because we have become dependent on foreign oil but the ag industry is making advancements on renewable energy sources that can be grown here—our cousins can come back from the dangerous war zone because the farmers and producers are on their games. 

On the other hand, speakers in schools must regulate what they really want/need to say: don’t have children before you can afford them and expect the government to provide for them—that simple is not right.  Also, don’t lust for material things so much that you will commit crimes to get those unimportant things.  Yes, those talks should come from home and church first.

As Thomas Friedman wrote his classic book “The World Is Flat,” school kids are fully focused and hungry for opportunity around the world while some American students are becoming weaker, softer, and more complacent.  Somebody needs to talk with them other than MTV and BET because if they are reached early enough and wisdom sinks into their heads, we could save billions currently spent on nonsense.   

I am still waiting for the Black moderate to conservative who will serve in congress and have no problems “getting on” the community about what we need to do to function better.  Any sitting American president should make those “real talk” speeches without reservations.  

 

Meet the Press segment

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

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Understanding: Real Housewives of Atlanta and Congressional Politics

Posted in politics, tagged , , on September 6, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Kandi from the Real Housewives of Atlanta was in the singing group Xcape with the rapper T.I.’s sweetheart Tiny.  If were T.I., I would have stepped to Kandi because tall and brown women just age better to me but I respect that man for staying with the woman who was with him through self-inflicted thick and thin. 

Xcape’s song “Understanding” speaks to many of the political and policy conflicts we are having in our nation today.  The Blue Dogs are battling the progressives in the Democrat Party over their push to use the government checkbook to correct everyone’s problems.  Yes, that approach starts to resemble socialism.  If you are broke, it could be the result of poor focus, poor planning and personal responsibility—blame yourself and don’t look for a government solution. 

On the other hand, the few reasonable Republicans in congress are battling the incendiary rhetoric created by ultra conservative talk radio and talk T.V. personalities. Once and for all, if someone feeds you information that you later learn was misinformation, you should avoid them in the future.  At this time last year, Barrack Obama was a terrorist for sitting on a board with some loser and Michelle Obama was the angry Black woman.  You don’t hear that much about the First Lady from the far-right today because they realize that Americans have learned that she was never what extremists were portraying her to be and is actually a great person. 

As a moderate, I support those leaders who have a sincere desire to govern with understanding and respect.  After the 2010 elections, the GOP had every opportunity to return to power by logically questioning the spending and programs of the Democrats and many moderates would have been right there with them.  But Boehner and McCain can’t control the far right media who is very good at whipping Americans into a hate and fear based frenzy—good for ratings and ad dollars but bad for the nation and world. 

To add insult to injury, the easy targets for the GOP in the mid-term elections will be those Blue Dog Democrats who have worked well with them in the past.  However, rather than producing GOP candidates who are similar to the two reasonable GOP senators from Maine, the conservatives are selecting candidates who are “mainly” far-right and similar to Fox News personalities.

At the end of the day, the reasonable center of America will tip the balance of power toward the better of the two sides.  The left offers “Kandi/Candy” and right “offers “Xcape/Escape” but the real housewives of Georgia will decide with their families which direction is reality.  The nation would be better off if the “understanding” of the other side was sought rather than partisan bickering.

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Sausage-Making and Georgia Congressional Politics

Posted in politics, tagged , , on September 1, 2009| Leave a Comment »

They say you don’t want to know how laws and sausage are made.  I have been in a slaughterhouse and worked in the U.S. House so maybe they are similar.  My sister once got upset with me for telling her children what pork really was…during breakfast.  “The filthy pig wallows in its own droppings but eventually he becomes the tasty product we are enjoying right now….care for seconds.” 

The federal law-making and budget process is not for weak- stomachs but in the end, you got to love this system of ours.  (This is the point in my blog posts where most people move on to more interesting parts of the web; so, I can write what’s on my mind without anyone knowing.)

In the mail today, my member of congress’s newsletter arrived and it appears that this representative is busy working for the people who put him in office.  While reading the details of his activities, he has done a lot to assist interests in our area that traditionally support the other major political party.  When the Dem team and President Obama is being demonized, where are those guys who could stand up and say, “They are helpful to my industry…some of those Dems aren’t half bad.”  If this were a schoolyard, kids would say, “I have been your friends since kindergarten but you get around some folks and act like you don’t know me…while they beat me up.”

Reasonable people know it is a process that involves negotiations, posturing and a certain amount of compromise.  As I have written before, it’s hard fitting a large nation comfortably into two political parties.  Ultra-liberals and ultra-conservatives jump up and down as if other views inside their party and this nation don’t exist.  I am no expert but it seems to me that the party or side that tolerates us centrists gets the balance of power. (At this point, no more than two or three people are still reading.)

I listened for hours to a radio broadcast of a health care town hall meeting with the most conservative Democrat in the Georgia congressional delegation.  While I have had issues with his lack of support for the White House, I can say he likely represents the consensus in his district since you don’t hear a peep from liberals there.  Moderates often wish for more-open minded southern Republicans and perhaps this member should consider making a party move to a more comfortable side.  Like the now-Republican and former Democrat who represents the Georgia mountains, it would likely be hard telling the difference.  

At the end of the day, we should make an effort to consider the complexity of the decision-making process; be mindful of the balancing requirements of governing and show some loyalty to those who have worked hard for our state.  For example, I don’t have a problem with Georgia’s senators but saying that publicly would tick off those who only watch Fox News and those who only watch MSNBC….thanks CNN for “fair and balance” reporting.  “And the Emmy for best T.V. acting in a drama goes to….”

What’s in sausage?  Everything.  What’s in laws and appropriations bills?  Everything.

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Black Beauty, Sagging Pants and Funny Names

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on August 28, 2009| 2 Comments »

Someone emailed me the link from a Black beauty pageant and basically said they knew that the day would come when “those names” would be everywhere.  Wait just a second Uppity Conservative: America is a complex and intricate tapestry woven from many different fibers; we have various subcultures.  While I am a moderate and wouldn’t wear sagging pants if I were in school today, I do remember wearing boxer shorts with gators on them as short pants (of course we wore briefs under them.) 

Excessive tattoos and sagging pants concern me but so does middle age women with too much cleavage.  What’s up with the women at church yard sales with short shorts so their leg can tan evenly.  Ultra short shorts on mothers and young daughters are as inappropriate as Ray Ray’s sag.  

Like Don Henley sang, “the more I know, the less I understand” and I have been trying to get to “the heart of the matter” but I give up.  I don’t understand the thug culture or “the confederacy was right” culture.  The R&B singer Jaheim helped me make peace with the new culture (I prefer agri—culture) with his hood anthem “Fabulous.”  The lyrics included the line “name our kids them funny names” but more important Jaheim sincerely said, “we got love for you’ll but you’ll not love us.”  When this song came out, I would have considered you nuts if you told me that a funny name person would be president in 2009.  Don’t sleep, it could have been our sister from the South….Condoleezza. 

Jaheim-Fabulous

http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x24jcd

Remember William Shakespeare’s Juliet saying, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” As we say in the South, “it’s not what they call you; it’s what you answer to.” 

Since this post started about a beauty pageant, may I say that the recent Miss. Universe pageant featured some of the most strikingly beautiful women of color I have ever seen.  While the other contestants were nice and I generally prefer the nerdy librarian type, my DNA double helix turns me toward ladies who look like me: Miss Ethiopia, Miss. Jamaica, Miss. Dominican Republic, Miss. Tanzania, Miss. Curacao and even Miss. India.  I could trip all day at a cookout with Jaheim and the guys over which sister got robbed of her crown at this pageant (but Miss. Venezuela is not exactly chopped liver.) 

“Check this out, Son. Miss. Ethiopia, Son..great day in the morning, Son. As we said back in school…she is the one who makes Black so beautiful.”  Those young guys need to pull up their pants and read that Steve Harvey book “Act like a Lady, Think Like a Man’ and they will be ready for that African or African American princess.  

http://www.missuniverse.com/members/contestants/sortBy:region

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Obama, Townhall Protest and Basketball

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on August 27, 2009| 2 Comments »

The long hot summer is coming to an end and hopefully the healthcare reform townhall meetings were beneficial and productive.  I can say that angry protesters who tried to shout down members of congress actually motivated some of the citizens to defend the besieged officials.  In the Georgia congressional delegation, a Democrat and Republican represent the split cities Valdosta, Columbus, Augusta, Albany and Savannah.

A far-right conservative voter in a Blue Dog Democrat district can rant until he is red in the face because that member votes against his wishes without thinking that across town a far-left liberal might feel the same way about being in a Fox-News watching MOC’s district.  When Bush 43 won the presidency, reasonable folks acknowledged that the people (or the Supreme Court) had spoken.  When Newt Gingrich and the GOP took over congress, most Americans again acknowledged that the people had spoken.  Obama gets the White House and the Democrats control congress and some folks lose their minds and begin talks of revolution.  Wow, talk about your sore losers; pouting is unbecoming.

When I was a kid, we had a whole basketball court (albeit dirt) in my backyard and all Hades would break loose if we returned from the African Methodist Episcopal Church (I like having “African” in the name of my church) and the fellows were playing hoops.  My mother would inform them that they could not play if they did not go to church and they were more than welcome to go with us.  Some of those guys are deep in their faith today and wish they started their “walk” before the drama of their young adult years.

When my mother looked out the kitchen window and saw me on the sidelines, she walked on the patio and asked why I wasn’t playing on “my” court.  I had to walk over and tell her that I lost the last game and had to wait for “next”—those are the rules of backyard basketball.  She did not understand like she did not understand why I (left-handed) could not use my older brother’s perfectly good baseball glove (also, left-handed).  To this day, I catch with a left-handed glove and take it off to throw.  Come to think about it, daddy should have said something about that since he was a college athlete but he was busy getting that income.  (Sidenote: left-handed presidents include Truman, Ford, Reagan, Bush the Elder, Clinton and Obama.)

Back to my point: if you lose fair and square, you can have “next.”  You should spend your time on the side studying the skills of the other players—maybe pick a few of them for your team “next” game and go on a winning streak.  Some conservatives are studying and I bet they are thinking about getting a few Blue Dogs to switch teams.  Others on the conservative sidelines want to go tell their mommas that the guys won’t let them play.  In my neighborhood, when your momma said, “my son is suppose to play on “his” court,” the guys were thinking “lady, you son can’t play because he can’t play…literally.” 

You can best believe that after everyone went home to watch the A-Team or whatever I was out there drilling and practicing to earn my court respect.  Come to think about it: I should have been in the crib on that homework so this would be better written.  Don’t sleep on the parallel between adults who “want their country” and their childhood complaints of “I want my court back” or the classic “I will take my ball and go home.”

In my community, we always had someone who was all mouth; he is going to do this and going to do that.  The smooth fellows were silently thinking, “Actions speak louder than words.”  Mr. Big Mouth would still be flapping his gums after losing all day.  Eventually, someone would break down and tell him that he was always on the sidelines because his skills were weak, the fear technique only gets you so far, he came down the middle “weak” and got rejected, and he could not hit from the outside.  The same guy was always an elbow-throwing player who would cut your legs from under when you were soaring in the air.  That sounds familiar and political. 

One more thing:  stop yelling at members of congress and the president for doing what the people elected them to do.  If you want to yell at or educate anyone, it should be the voters you consider misinformed.

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Senator Ted Kennedy: I Won’t Back Down

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on August 26, 2009| 1 Comment »

Senator Ted Kennedy is gone but two things immediately come to mind.  In public policy, you can respectfully negotiate without capitulating.  Second, young people should notice that Kennedy did so much in life after youth drama and partying.  This is America, the land of opportunity.  Those opportunities include moving forward from self-inflicted adversity and I for one think that Presidents Obama, George W. Bush, and Clinton would never have enter the oval office if those who want pure and unblemished public servants had their way. 

Actually, I like politicians who are a little nicked up –like real folks– and persevering, photogenic Vanessa Williams is my favorite former Miss. America.  During the 1994-midterm elections, a wave of conservatism swept the nation and Democrats were moving toward the center or switching to the GOP to save their careers.  Speaker of the House Tom Foley became the first sitting speaker to not win reelection since 1862 but Senator Kennedy stood by his liberal beliefs and beat a young Mitt Romney 58% to 41%. 

Kennedy’s campaign staffers adopted the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song “I Won’t Back Down” as an unofficial theme.  Think what you want about conservatives but they function with that same mentality and think President Obama will have Senator Kennedy in mind as his White House “gets done” what they were put there to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKqO0FeaCFQ&feature=related

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