Hanging Out With The Boys

So what's bugging me today? I just found out it's wrong to hang out with one's own gender. Oh you didn't hear the story? Actually it's about our President (again) and the hoopla for hanging out with the boys to shoot some hoops and not inviting women. The horror.

The Prez called the news "bunk" and I'm thinking a more colorful word - the initials "B.S" come to mind. But where the Prez lost me was doing th P.C thing by inviting a female golfer to the White House to tee with him. Gosh, I definitely know I'm not called to politics. To me, that weakened his position. He didn't need to do that to show he's for feminist rights.

Now I'm unapologetically a feminist. Not in the way of thinking men are unnecessary (though sometimes I wonder), but to provide fairness in the field of life. But come on!

When I want to spend time with some friends as "girls night out," the invite means just what it says:NO BOYS ALLOWED. Not that I don't have love for the brothers but doggone it, I need a BREAK from you once in a while. What is so different with the Prez who has a wife, two daughters, a mother-in-law, and hired more women in his administration than any history?

Seriously people, give the guy a break and hanging out with his boys for some time to shoot some hoops could be a start.

Stop Hatin . . . Appreciate The Prez Nobel Peace Prize

I'm supposed to be studying but you know what happens when I have something bugging me . . . I blog about the subject. Such as the hoopla over President Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.

Now I'd admit waking up Friday morning and hearing the news was a surprise. More like "really, wow!" But afterwards, I thought to myself "well, good for America!" Oh but I found out later that others didn't share the same sentiments. It felt as if the President stole something.

I really despise ignorance. And the sad thing is the 24 hours news cycle don't do justice to educating the masses how previous laureates won the influential prize. Granted I won't put President Obama in the same category as Mother Teresa - another Nobel Prize winner; infact, no one comes close. But you know someone who did and never got a Nobel Peace Prize? Mahatma Gandhi. I know right; the horror.

So for all the shouting talking heads who said the President hasn't accomplished anything, I say check your history. Yes, sometimes laureates have won for many years toiling in the struggle like previously mentioned Mother Teresa but others have won for just bringing awareness to an issue (such as Al Gore for climate change) or being a driving force behind a movement (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr for civil rights).

President Obama becomes the third African American and third sitting U.S. President in history to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The two African Americans (Ralph Bunche and MLK)were speaking out against racism and inequality. While they were doing so, the civil rights law was no where close (especially during Bunche's time)and about a year later after MLK won. Now the critics are right: you can't compare Obama to other U.S sitting Presidents because he's only been in the office for nine months. But guess what, the nomination was over just 11 days after his inauguration.

So what do you want him to do? Give up the prize? You must have bump your head! Don't hate because they wanted to bestow such honor to a person who represents an "aspiration" to what's yet to come. As previously stated, there have been many notables who got the prize just for that with less controversy. And the President struck the right tone by saying how surprised and humbled he was . . . and not to be compared to transformative figures who've won the prize. Ok, I disagree with the latter part of his speech. Obama became a transformative figure on Nov 4, 2008 when he became the first African American President.

Thank You, Bubba.

Politics aside, you may not care for President William Jefferson Clinton as your ideal candidate but as an American, as a person who cares to see a wife, mother, daughter, sister reunited with her loved ones, you have to give A BIG THANK YOU in the case of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

Bubba is back! And the past couple of days have been one of those time capsules that make you say what a great country! I mean his wife lost to our now President and he made it known he was upset but when your country needs you, put all differences aside and step up to the plate, support your President, get out of your wife's way as Secretary of State and do what's required.

For this cynic, I won't lie, it was moving to see Former VP Al Gore give a bear hug to Bubba (can't help it) as he got came down the steps of the plane and I thought for a moment "what if?" What if Gore became President, would America's image have been tarnished that bad. But we got Barack because Bush was that bad (Oh admit it). So with a hand to my heart, I'd like to say Thank you, President Clinton. And as a nice present, here's something from Jon Stewart that also show my sentiments:

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An Officer And A Gentleman

There's one advantage to switching more to a weekly blog cuz of my schedule and that is you have some time to look at some news story from various ends before writing your first reaction. But sometimes, I feel such advantage defeats the purpose of a blog - instant reaction.

What am I talking about? Oh the whole Skip Gates (aka Henry Louis Gates) and the Cambridge Officer, Sergent James Crowley incident. As a person who knows Boston quite well, let me say I'm not shocked by the incident. Just today, one of my Uncles told me a friend (who's black) of his gets stopped by the police most times he's going in to check on one of the properties he OWNS. I guess because they might not think a brother could won a property others rent from him.

Anyhoo, the story reached a bowling point when my President decided to answer the last question from the snoozefest (I mean the Healthcare Reform Press Conference) from Lynn Sweeney about Skip. Check it out:


But folks didn't hear the whole reasoning Obama made about racial profiling. What they focused on were two words: "Acted Stupidly" in relation to the Cambridge Police. I'm glad Obama didn't give a "politically correct" speech even though it would have served him better but the Cambridge Police did act stupidly if you slapped handcuffs on a 68 (not 58 per police report) year old man walking with a cane in his OWN HOME.

Now I truly believe that a little guilt should be given to Gates for overreaction but think about the irony of the situation, Skip is a Professor who's made his life's mission studying about race, tracing black folks' "roots," etc, to be the subject of what he's taught. I also believe that there was some serious EGO going on with Sergent James Crowley to make an example of Skip for standing to him which he had the right - it WAS HIS HOME. Do I think race played a significant role in all this? Well in the words of an Aunt: I don't care about the whole spin, all I know is if Skip was a white man, he wouldn't have been placed in handcuffs. And for me: I'll say in the words of the X-files - THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE.

Tags: Henry Louis Gates, Racial Profiling

Shut Up PeTA

Unless you're living under a rock these past few days, you've seen the awesome hand-eye coordination our President has with the swatting of the pesky fly buzzing in the White House and messing with his interview with CNBC John Harwood. And the action has generated a lot of "buzz" on the Web and other Media with various parodies. But the group not laughing is PeTA - you know, the activist group for animals who sometimes get on my last nerves for publicity stunts.

Can you believe PeTA had the audacity to release a statement against President Obama for killing the fly instead of being compassionate? Are you freaking kidding me? PeTA likened the fly to a "human being" and this was part of its statement to the President: “He isn’t the Buddha, he’s a human being and human beings have a long way to go before they think before they act.” I'm confused!

The fly is an insect and insects are pests - okay take away bees with their stinging ability which still pollinate flowers and produce honey. Not only that, many of them carry diseases. So 'xcuse us for finding creative ways to kill those pests. And can I say this: they(PeTA) are always going for the big guns like Michael Vick (I agree what he did was heinous but there are other crimes against humans(not pets) that didn't generate such outrage) and now the President. You know we in South Florida just got the "cat killer" who's been killing and mutilating cats around the neighborhood for months, you didn't hear PeTA enraged about that.

So yes, I'd like PeTA to spare us the self-righteous rap on how they are the compassionate and considerate ones when it comes to animals by attacking folks for the slightest of reasons. Just shut up already! And if you like flies that much, hey how about we send a bunch of them to you and you can have fun with them in a "considerate" way.

Tags: PeTA, Obama swats fly

Give Peace A Chance

So the President embarked on a five-city tour from the Middle East to Europe. And there is one thing I could take away from the stops form the Speech at Cairo University addressing Muslims, Palestine and Isreali relationships to speaking at Normandy against the holocaust and that is "GIVE PEACE A CHANCE."

The President quoted from every religious book from the Holy Bible to the Holy Quran and that in spite of our differences we can all have a common ground. I've talked about my diverse background and I'm not ashamed to say I grew up among Christians and Muslims.

And the image demonizing most Muslims after 9-11 just because of a few knuckleheads who committed the most atrocious acts against humanity is also unconscionable.

But it shows how ignorant some folks at home (in America) are taking swipes at the President for even engaging Muslims (who are over a billion people on earth) by calling the Middle-East tour "an apology tour." What!

Anyway, sometimes I scratch my head that how come I as an American don't understand some of my fellow countrymen (and women) sometimes. Please Jon Stewart take it away and show the ignorance . . .

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Tags: Obama Middle East Tour

Filibuster This SCOTUS Pick!

First of all, this was the least surprising news to me; the Supreme Court Justice (otherwise known as SCOTUS) pick that is. I knew it was going to be a Latina and I knew it was going to be a woman. (So pat on the back to me).

And as I told a friend, I don't care how much the President and his wife kept saving face it doesn't have to be a woman, he's going to choose a WOMAN.

Second, I'd like to say Kudos to Sonia Sotomayor for this historic nomination. You are well-deserving of the honor.

I got all that out of the way. Now to the nitty-gritty for all the hoopla that's happened in the last couple of days with the SCOTUS pick especially with the Republican party. I'm going into the mind of Barack Obama on choosing Sotomayor. I like that he knows when to pick a fight, it's like a strategic chess move - CHECK MATE! Darth Vader (I mean former VP Dick Cheney) kept wanting folks to stay on the "dark side," Obama knew when to take a shot at him at both the White House Correspondence dinner as a guy who's working on his Memoir "how to shoot friends and interrogate people" and speaking about GITMO on the same day last week.

Only for the next few days to choose, to the HORROR of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Pat Buchanan and co, a LATINA. I mean to them they are yelling WTF! What do you call all the nonsense that's dominated cable news with folks questioning her intelligence ('scuse me, she was second in her graduating class), her ethnicity (can you believe someone said they can't pronounce her name and it should be more Anglo-fied), and oh, she's of the fairer sex; she's a WOMAN! (So they've used stereotypical phrases like "emotional.")

So to all those folks and some in the SENATE who has expressed their OUTRAGE. I say FILIBUSTER THIS! Filibuster this SCOTUS pick when the President has a 67 percent approval rating and his wife over 80 percent. Filibuster this SCOTUS pick when 56 percent of women voted for the sitting President and you're demonizing a very accomplished woman as light in smartness compared to her male counterparts. Filibuster this SCOTUS pick when the largest minority group now are Hispanics and might I add, the group of under 40 voted over two-thirds for the current President and you're using all kinds of ethnic stereotypes from the cuisine she likes to the sound of her name.

You keep saying inflammatory words like calling her a racist, bigot because of taking her words out of context some years ago about her varied experience will give her a better judgment when it comes to complexity of ethnic relationships than a white man and see how long you stay in your wilderness experience as a party. Think about it, you can choose to keep wondering in this wilderness by looking at days far foregone and make a typical 11-day journey in the wilderness to be 40 years. I double dare you to filibuster this!

Tag: SCOTUS, Sonia Sotomayor

I.N. of The Week - James Harrison

It's been a while since I gave some folks in the black community my infamous award. But here we go: THIS IS I.N.N - Ignorant Negro News. The Ignorant Negro for this week is Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison. OMG!

Some of my friends know this about me: it makes me wince when I see a black person playing into regular stereotypes on TV: You know the types, can't speak a complete sentence on TV, making ridiculous analogies. My favorite skit show of all time: In Livin' Color even featured this on one of the episodes with regular late night news with the reporters always picking the most ignorant brother or sister on the street to speak about some breaking news.

Back to Harrison about being this week's I.N. The President invited the Steelers to the White House as is CUSTOMARY for any championship team. But Harrison felt the President did the wrong thing because what if they didn't win the Super Bowl, would he have invited them then? You don't invite the first runner -up to the White House. Duh! Or any team that didn't win anything. Check this Harrison, Psst, the President has A LOT OF THINGS TO DO. This is a wonderful diversion for him out of all the serious things to honor your team.

And how does that look Harrison, first Brother to be President in the U.S. (Clinton doesn't count), for you to diss him when you made a record breaking feat of a touchdown in the Super Bowl? Slap to my forehead and an imaginary slap upside the head of your head Harrison. Perhaps the concussions through your career have affected your thinking ability. And even though you went to college (Kent State), we can clearly see you didn't spend much time in the classroom. So you choose not to go to White House because of your irrational theory, hey perhaps you'll like the dubious honor from this blogger: Ignorant Negro (I. N) of the Week.

Tags: James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

Don't Ask, Don't Tell - Don't Be Ridiculous

So I've got this on my mind because it's been in the News lately and it's the whole subject of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" concerning gays in the Military. I'm serious, Bubba (Former Pres. Bill Clinton) will go down in infamy for that line. I know he was thinking it was a way to avoid the drama and let Gays serve in peace but it backfired.

Think this through for a minute. Since 1993, over 12 thousand gays have been discharged from the Military after having admitted or folks making assumptions that they are gay. The recent one is a Platoon Leader Dan Choi, who faces discharge because he came out in March. But the Obama administration is staying silent even after the President (then Senator) promised on the campaign trail to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." So much for campaign promises.

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Look, this (Don't ask, Don't Tell) absolutely makes no sense. Most of the Arabic translators in the Military are gay and many of them have been discharged over this mess. And do they still realize we're living in a post 9-11 world and these linguistic skills are critical to the way we engage the rest of the world and those who "harbor terrorists.?"

But no, we will rather torture (oh, I'm sorry, use enhanced interrogation techniques) and beat the living daylights out of them. But what happens after all that is done and the person doesn't speak English, you still didn't get your information and the person who could help, you fire because he has a boyfriend. What The Hell! How's that keeping us safer.

We civilians work with people of various sexual orientations and it doesn't bankrupt the company. I remember speaking with a colleague a couple of months ago who had a problem with how another employee dealt with him because of his sexual preference. You guessed what I said to him "so what . . . what's that going to do with the job you do."And I still had to encourage him to recognize these particular individuals were also dealing with culture shocks living in South Florida. They came from a culture they want to believe NOBODY is gay.

So here's my beef today: Think Obama Administration. Repeal this stupid law that is doing nothing to take our country forward and more importantly, keep it safe.

Tags: Don't Ask Don't Tell, Gays in the Military

An Influential Week

So Time Magazine released it's 100 World Most Influential People. Ok some folks on the list I get but Zach Efron? Come on! He's influential in the world of my 6-year old Goddaughter who will hijack my better TV so she doesn't miss something from Disney.


Anyhoo, there are some I concur with the Poll. Of course, the Obamas. Sarah Palin - not so much. Now Tina Fey, hooray! She just showed us what we were all thinking of Palin. I'm just saying. . .


Oprah - you gotta give it to the Big "O" - did you see the fiasco she caused with KFC grilled chicken this week?

The ladies of the View - here, here! The elections would not have been the same without them and yes, that includes Hasselbeck.


George Clooney - Whoa! A few folks in my family know I'VE GOT A CRUSH ON CLOONEY! Even though he's old enough to be one of my Uncles (and I don't date beyond a certain age group, I'm not trying to replace them - my Uncles that is). I must say the twice "sexiest man alive" dubbed man deserved the honor not because he's easy on the eyes but gosh he's smart. He had me when he came on Oprah some years ago and Oprah asked him that for him to be so handsome, how did he work on being smart. And Clooney's classic response: "I've always been smart, I think I work on being handsome." Oprah couldn't contain herself with laughter and a certain twenty-something girl fell in love with him again after first laying eyes on him as Dr. Doug on ER as a teenager.

Ok, focus, focus. Who else is on the list? Hmn, Sen. Ted Kennedy (Roar for the Lion of the Senate). Secretary Hillary Clinton (a woman who came this close for President with 18 million votes deserve a tip of the hat), Suze Orman (you have got to catch the hilarious take of Kristin Wiig on SNL paroding her money-pinching ways). That's it . . . there's a lot more but you could pick up the magazine to browse yourself.


Tags: Time Magazine, 100 Most Influential

Mo's Week In Review

Happy Friday everyone and let's go for the rundown for all things buzzing in my mind and our world:

Plane Photo Flop: This is one of those situations that make you scratch your head and ask "what the heck were they thinking?" I mean seriously, in a post 9-11 world, in New York close to Ground Zero, some members of our government thought it was a freaking good idea to fly a 747 low without clearing it first, with I don't know THE MAYOR OF THE CITY!

And the reason was even more mind-buggling - A PHOTO-OP EVENT. And can I just say this also cost tax-payers over $300K for this nonsense that caused panic in the hearts of New Yorkers all over again.


Sen Arlen Specter switches parties: I gotta admit, I've always liked Specter. I like his independent streak and because he was in the GOP (until a few days ago), a party I, like many others is struggling to understand made no difference.

But to see him switch parties during the President's 100 days tally was genius! Talk about a gift to him and the Democratic party. It wasn't a shock because word on the street was that Specter was getting too moderate for the far right party these days. And what bugs me is that this party (GOP) still call themselves the party of Ronald Reagan. Are they serious?

And let's be honest, Specter didn't switch as a matter of principle but a pragmatic and political one. I love that he admitted such seeing that the conservative base was mad at him for being one of three Republican senators who voted for the Stimulus bill and declining by 20 points if he ran as a Republican for the Primaries. But he used to be a Democrat until forty years ago and for that I say to Specter, welcome home.

The President's 100 Days (Who Cares): Obviously, the Media cares about these 100 days by shoving it down our TV screens. Hel-lo the man still has about 1000 days to go. That's like grading him for 10 percent of the work when the rest is yet to be looked upon and with a man coming in at a time not seen since the Great Depression. To show the RIDUN-CU-LOUS of all these 100 days stuff, take it away Jon from the Daily Show . . .

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The VP's Swine Flu Gaffe (and counting): You guys know I love Joe Biden. I proposed that he be picked as then Sen. Obama's running mate way before he was announced. And I know he has a gift of gab; something he's been trying to make for his struttering time as a youth. But come on! Sometimes, I feel the real Whitehouse dog is not "Bo" but "Joe" and I want to put a leash on him to tame him just a little bit.

No other times than yesterday's Swine Flu gaffe when Biden scared the Transportation industry (they are struggling already as is) when he said on Today show he'll advice for folks not to travel cuz they'll be in confined spaces. Oops . . . no no no Joe

The Clutch In Chief: Ok it's old news I'm a basketball fanatic but check out our President schooling the Lady Huskies Championship team at the White House. Granted, I'll give the girls a break; they were in dresses and high heels.

My "Summit" Musings

It's FRIDAY! And you didn't think I'll go away from this without my international musings about my comrades across the pond. So here are my thoughts about about the historical trip of the Obamas:

That is one telegenic couple if I must say so myself: Oh admit it! You were thinking the same thing when you saw that picture our first couple landing in London. That picture looked like something that could be in Vogue. Shucks! Too late . . .they've already been in Vogue.

As the British said: "They look like they could be in a toothpaste commercial." And you know some of the British should recognize folks in a "toothpaste commercial" because dental hygiene is not something they excel at - I'm just saying . . . have you seen their teeth? Cigarettes and liquor have done a number on those former baby pearly whites.

But I digress, about the Obamas - what a way to make an entrance. Let's here it for the first couple of cool!

The First Lady of J.Crew: J.Crew needs to kiss the ground Michelle Obama walks on for making their store one of the only ones relevant in this deep recession. Even a family member asked me last night if I've ever shopped at J.Crew because of the publicity this company is getting.

Checked out that cardigan on my left, that's from you guessed it - J.Crew, which made the site crash hours later and sold out in hours on the site along with the $158 skirt (also by J.Crew) worn with the cardigan.

This is not the first time J.Crew has been getting this kind of frenzy. It started way back in October (during the whole Sarah Palin $150K fashion-gate) and Michelle appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno where her whole ensemble was J.Crew for about $350.

According to reports, the outfit she wore that night in October saw over 400 percent hits on the Web than previously before Michelle wore the clothes and the company's stock (literally) has shot up over 10 percent. Did I mention we were in an economic downturn?

The Obamas Meet the Queen (and the Prince): Was it only me who got fed up of all the "etiquette" tips for the Obamas for meeting the Queen? "Don't extend a hand until she does." "Don't speak unless you're spoken to" "Don't hold her hand too longer than usual." Oh shut up! (that's how I felt).

Then the meeting FINALLY happened and it seemed to go well but then all hell broke loose about some PDA (Public Display of Affection for those of you not hip to the lingo) between Michelle and the Queen. What's wrong with embracing someone or just extending an arm as a form of compassion? It was as if the first lady committed the unpardonable sin. Oh Gosh! The news kept spinning until Buckingham Palace had to release a statement. Read that again, they released a statement about a PDA. You've gotta be kidding me!

Has it ever dawned on these "etiquette" police people that perhaps the Queen liked that someone showed her some PDA and not put her in this bubble she's been living in for over 50 years. That she could actually be a REAL PERSON! And according to reports, she extended arms first towards Michelle - the HORROR!

Now to some serious stuff, what was up with those PROTESTERS? I guess they've never heard the term "civil disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau which motivated folks like Gandhi and Dr. King. You can protest without being a nuisance like destroying everything in sight.

And another thing about these protesters, they all had different agenda why they were protesting. Some wanted to "eat the bankers," others were for "Palestines" and some were just there for show. Hel-lo, you guys need to get schooled on the act of protesting from one group - black people.

You fight for one common goal at a time: the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Education, Voting Rights, etc. Get the picture? So new rules to the act of protesting: New rules, unless y'all can agree on ONE THING to protest about so folks could hear you clearly, GET SOME REST OR GO TO A MEETING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'RE PROTESTING ABOUT.

Dear Mr. President . . .

Dear Mr President:

This entry is coming from one of your ardent supporters (me). But though I think you're one of the most brilliant men (trust me, that's a lot for me to give as an accolade) I know, I'm having a couple of concerns about your moves during this critical time in history.

My first concern is the area of education. This week you talked about revamping teacher's pay to correlate with merit. Part of me says "yeah!" and another part says "hold up! wait a minute!" I understand some tenured teachers have rested on their laurels instead of striving for more innovative ways to make educating this generation exciting and compete with their counterparts around the world.

But how do you judge "merit?" Is it just having "A" schools or students scoring high marks on their PSATs or college SATs? Hel-lo, not all great students are great test-takers. And being a great test-taker doesn't guarantee one's success in college or life. And what about those teachers who teach "artistic" kids? Or teachers of adults dealing with illiteracy (a well-known secret of our society) who are getting back into the school system. Please EXPLAIN!!!

My second concern and the most critical is the ECONOMY. Yes, while I applaud you for doing more in over 50 days than some Presidents did in a term (hint: Dubya), I'm quite apprehensive that you're taking on a lot when we have greatest economic debacle since the Great Depression.

I personally want you to have the Power of One - finding the most critical thing and focusing on that ONE THING. Like Tiger Woods with Golf, Wayne Gretzky with hockey, and Michael Jordan with Basketball. Is it too hard to say that you should focus on this thing we call the ECONOMY? I don't want to sound like the slogan that clinched Bill Clinton's win for Presidency (and yours after September 15th) but IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID!

And I know you've responded to your critics a few days ago about taken on a lot - that you could really multi-task. Again, I commend you for being fly like that (I'm also a multi-tasker) but how do you want a concerned citizen like me to feel when you're yet to fill positions in your TREASURY and COMMERCE departments. I'm just saying.

Also, checked out what your (and my) economic guru said earlier this week? I know you heard the Oracle (Warren Buffet) who said this economy has "fallen off the cliff "(strong words huh!). And in the Oracle's words to you: FOCUS NUMBER ONE SHOULD BE THE ECONOMY, FOCUS NUMBER TWO SHOULD BE THE ECONOMY, AND FOCUS NUMBER THREE SHOULD BE THE ECONOMY.

Thanks for hearing me out and remember I've got nothing but love for you . . . that's why I'm speaking my truth IN LOVE.

Lost In Translation - Yes, We Talk Differently

Ok, this blog is a public service and my private pleasure. As a public service, I know there are readers of various backgrounds reading my blog and I appreciate that - I've said it before: I'm not a "black" blogger, I'm a blogger who happens to be black; there's a difference. So I try to cover things that interest me as an individual and yes, sometimes race creeps up.

It is no different for our current President. No matter how he tries to just be America's President who happens to be black, we're reminded by some stuff he is still the "Black President." And as the first one in that position, he will have to bear the brunt of most concerns.

The latest concern is the "coded" messages the President seems to talk in when he's in the company of some "urban" folks like when he was at DC's famed "Ben's Chili Bowl" and he was leaving without taking his change and a worker alerted him to it and Obama replied "Nah, we straight." A reporter quoted this exchange later as "No, we're straight." LOL!

I don't have to tell you the color of that reporter who was lost in translation do I? But because of this major gaffe, as well as others on the campaign trail and now in Obama's first term some white folks are lamenting the fact that the President is speaking in codes. Seriously! I thought this was the same guy who wasn't "black enough?"

Everyone speak in codes and as a black person you have to be "bilingual" and even "tri-ligual" sometimes. Last week I had the heading of a blog post as "What had happened was . . ." Now after I posted the blog, I thought to myself if my audience of the lighter persuasion will get such heading. I knew the heading wasn't the proper grammar; it was straight up Ebonics but it was a tongue-in-cheek commentary of being missing in action. We say "what had happened was" if we're trying to get away from an uncomfortable situation we need to explain. It's like an inside joke . . . most times you get ribbed by loved ones for saying the phrase with an "uh-huh . . ."

Look, when the former President (isn't it great to say that) George W. Bush used all kinds of Evangelical coded messages like "wonder working power," to his base, why didn't the Media talk about Dubya speaking coded messages to his base? But now you have a "Brother" in the White House who's from a really diverse background they have a problem.

Checked out the inauguration? Did you see when some bands from Hawaii marched by and Obama gave them a hand gesture sign in salute which means hang loose? That is wisdom. I don't talk (I mean speak) the same way in every arena - that's being smart and it doesn't make me less authentic. I'm not going to be in my place of business and use all kinds of slangs when I need to be taken seriously. When I'm with family, it's a different side of me you'll see and so it is with friends. Like if I tell a friend not to fall for a guy's "okey-doke," she'll get I'm talking about his "game" or his wiles.

If on a basketball court, a person said a player dropped some "dimes" - I know that meant the player had some "assists" in his game. It doesn't mean the player dropped dimes as in "ten cents" on the floor. The same goes for other coded messages whether in the texting world or in hip-hop. I loved what Stephen Colbert said last week when he satirized talking about race and Eric Holder's "nation of cowards" speech. Colbert was honest in saying "I don't like rap because I can never figure out if "shorty" means a baby or the baby momma." That drew a laugh from the audience and this viewer at home.

So to my Caucasian friends and others who're not as in touch with the urban "speak." Don't think of it as folks or the President isolating you when you hear words you don't quite understand. Remember we had to "de-code" some of your innuedoes for years and just remained silent because who needs another race fight. If you don't understand something just ask and it might be time for you to get out more and break out of your comfort zone of just your suburbia friends. And if you don't want to, it's ok . . . we straight (and I mean we will still be cool regardless, we're fine . . .)

Coded Messages

Inauguration Musings

We've had the pump and circumstance of the inauguration and I, like many others have been in a state of euphoria. But it didn't stop me from making some observations. So I'd like to give my musings on the historical inauguration:

Invocation By Rick Warren: Thank God, the whole outrage over who gives the invocation is over and I thought Warren gave a poignant prayer. What I didn't get were all the names for Jesus in the prayer. Was Warren trying to cover all ethnicities? He couldn't! I felt I just got took a brief theology class.

Benediction By Joseph Lowery: Oh the lovable civil rights icon! The 89-year old Lowery said a prayer that would rank as the funniest benediction I've ever heard. Even Barack Obama was trying to hold back a laugh. I had to open my eyes when he started on some rhymes: "When blacks won't get back, when whites will get right, when yellow will be mellow . . ." As Stephen Colbert said: That was the best Dr. Seuss EVER!

All Hail The Queen: Aretha Franklin that is! She gave a stirring rendition of "My Country Tis of Thee." I agree with Rolling Stone last December declaring as the "greatest singer ever!" Even though she later said she wasn't pleased with her performance because of the cold weather. Take it from me Queen, for us mortals, you were great!

Now about that "Hat," I LIKED IT! To which a family relative asked surprisingly "you liked it?" (with doubt in her voice). Another friend just said "hmmm." She's too diplomatic to disapprove of the hat. But I thought it fit the Queen's larger-than-life's persona. I found out later the folks across the Pond (the British) thought so too.

But my fellow Americans have been making a mockery of the hat including the lovable Ellen. Well, I guess I'll stand alone in this. So to the Queen: From one hat lover to another, you rocked!

Flub of the Oath: What's up Chief Justice Roberts! What was up with messing the oath up for a brother! Use index card for the 35-word oath next time and don't depend only on your wiz (straight As) brain.

Another thing: Why the re-do of the oath? According to Obama's camp, it was due to "an abundance of caution." Seriously, lighten up Barack! You were technically (according to the Constitution) President when the clock struck noon - when Yo-Yo Ma was playing the fake cello.

Prose Vs. Poetry: I love our new President's inaugural speech. I thought it was necessary for the times - less flowery but more on responsibility. But then some "experts" had to dampen my mood when I started driving and listening to the radio and called the speech more "prose than poetry." Oh PUH-LEAZE! We are in serious times. You shouldn't be looking for something that will always tingle your ears - that's from the Bible, a book not all based on poetry.

Speaking of poetry: I didn't get the inaugural poem by American Poet Elizabeth Alexander! I thought to myself I got As in high school and college literature, why did I find her poem "Praise song for the day" hard to comprehend. I'm just saying. . . Can we get Maya Angelou? Oh that will be like recycling Bill Clinton's first inauguration. Never mind.

It's Called "the Bump.": Since we have the real first Black President (taken away from Bill Clinton), we need to give some "chocolate" lessons to some of our "vanilla" friends. The first lesson will go to CNN's Erica Hill calling a dance move Obama did with a 14-year old girl the "booty bump." Seriously Erica, you didn't watch any "soul train?" Thank goodness our fellow mates in the Media quickly got the memo. It's called "the bump."

Tag: Inauguration 2009

The Obamas' Love Story

This video was sent to me by a family member and I must say it's a wonderful video. It got the romantic side of me that masquerades (sometimes) as a cynic. Wow, it's a new day in America when Clay Aiken could sing "something about us" about a great love story (Obamas') that's not limited to fiction. Take note America: This is a montage of a love story . . .

Proud To Be An American

There will be time and numerous occasions to put the hyphen to specifically identify what type of American I am. But today, permit me to just say "I am an American." There have been a few times I took pride in being called an American, a couple of which in recent memory was the aftermath of 9-11 and today, seeing a rewrite of history with our sworn 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama.

Yes, I'm proud that after seven years of the devastating tragedy that befell this country; the name "Hussein" or any that sounds Arabic or Islamic wasn't considered a derogatory term (quite popular around the world actually). But a man could raise up his right hand with the other on the Bible and recite: "I, Barack Hussein Obama . . ." The people spoke with their votes and chose hope over fear. They saw that just because a tyrant (Saddam Hussein) shared a certain name, doesn't define everyone who hold the said name. We actually judged a man by what a great American once said: By the content of his character.

Why The Outrage Over Warren?

I like to think of myself as a progressive - not as the labeled voter per se but as a thinker. On the voting side, I hate labels though my voter's registration card identifies me with a party. But I'm more in the thinking of Chris Rock (can you tell I'm a fan of his comedy?) when he said "there are some things I'm very liberal about, and there are some things I'm very conservative about . . ."

During our recent election, my ballot would have confused any poll taker to figure out what box to label me based on how I voted. So over some months leading to the election, I had my criticism for the ultra-conservative folks but recently, my ire has been towards far-left liberals - THEY ARE BUGGING ME! And they are getting on my nerves with their whining on President-Elect's so-called choices for his cabinet positions and now, his choice for who to do the invocation (opening prayer) at the inauguration, Pastor Rick Warren.

Yes, the "Purpose Driven Life" 30 million plus books sold Pastor is making many on the far left upset with Obama because of Warren's stand on Prop 8 and some controversial sayings about gays. Reportedly, Warren has said some stuff with comparing the gay lifestyle to pedophilia and the like. I find that last statement hard to believe but if it is true, then that is some ignorance on the part of Warren. Statistically, pedophilia is overwhelmingly (over 70 percent) related to heterosexuals. But one dumb quote should not make the whole narrative of one's life.

Hel-lo the 30 million people (present company included) who bought the famed book could see there's more to Warren than just gay-bashing. This is a guy who was criticized by some of his faith (i.e. Pat Robinson and the late Jerry Falwell) because of his methods of teaching. He was one of the first preachers to shed light on AIDS, talked about poverty and admonished folks about the state of our environment. And might I add, the guy does "reverse tithing." That is, he gives 90 percent of what he makes away and lives off 10 percent. Tell me which other preacher does that?

Be that as it may, how many of us has agreed to everything the Pastors of our churches preach? I know I haven't. Sometimes, I've been in a church where a statement from the pulpit have gone from one ear and out the next. It doesn't stop me from respecting the Pastor the next day or for him/her not to pray for me during a notable event of my life.

So why would you think the President-Elect of all people choose not to follow the same example? Is he supposed to pick someone to pray (I can't believe folks are fighting over this) who he agrees with on every issue? Well, he did pick Rev. Joseph Lowery, a civil rights pioneer, who's also spoken for gay rights to do the benediction. But I noticed, the so-called base aren't acknowledging such balance - yeah balance; what a unique word!

Seriously liberals, what do you want Obama to do? Tell some (0r most) evangelicals who didn't support him "screw all ya!" Or could he try to live up to the promise he gave on election night that though he didn't get their votes, he hears their voices and will be their President too. In my opinion, I think Obama showed courage in this choice, and a word I don't use for most politicians, character.


Tags: Rick Warren, Inauguration invocation

Meet The Team Of Rivals

It finally happened after all the rumblings about President-Elect's National Security Team, with Sen. Hillary Clinton (Sec. of State) being the loudest one of them all. The positions included Attorney General (Eric Holder), Homeland Security (Janet Napolitano), Defense(Robert Gates), National Security Advisor (Gen. Jim Jones) and U.N. Ambassador (Susan Rice).

I've said it before (over a week ago) that I admire the positions though I was surprised with Clinton for Secretary of State (even though I believe she'll do a great job).

But my post today is really geared to the far-left liberals and there own rumblings about the way Obama is loading up his cabinet. Psss, liberals: How about we have a little conversation. You guys are beginning to bug me just like the ultra-conservative folks during the campaigning season.

There is a difference between how you campaign and how you govern. Some of you (liberals) still expect Obama to be doing the former instead of the latter. Say this after me: YOU GOVERN FROM THE CENTER!!! (One more time)

I'll give you a state example: Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, a Republican. But sometimes you may not know he is really a Republican by the way he governs. He is a green (not in experience but with the environment) Governor. He extended the hours of the early voting registration to the angst of his Republican colleagues who felt he would benefit the other party (it turned out to be true), and he's fighting for felons to have their right restored to vote. You wonder why he has a high approval rating?

So you may not like that he picked Gates (from the Bush administration), but Gates has shown he is not an idealogue like his boss and have actually talked about diplomacy and brought a voice of reason since he was hired in 2006.

The other person you're up in arms about is Clinton. For that, I just say "get over it." Politics make strange bed fellows. And just like John F. Kennedy needed Lyndon B.Johnson after a contentious primaries, Obama needs Clinton. Like her or not, the woman is brilliant and there are 18 million voices to prove that. Also, she's a global brand name and don't you think Obama could use someone like that while he concentrates on the domestic debacle we call the economy?

So to the guys who are really left of me, I say have patience. Yes you voted for change and change you got. He is the only President-Elect facing mind-boggling challenges in over 70 years. Why fault him for bringing the most experienced hands to help him guide the ship?

Tags: Obama's National Security Team

Introducing Tim Geithner

Just a quick note: I absolutely LOVE this pick (Tim Geithner for Treasury Secretary) from President-Elect, Barack Obama. In case you're new to this blog, my day passion is numbers (all things Finance). Great to see someone who's proven in the time of crisis to handle this mess we call the economy.

Tag: Tim Geithner