Dear America,

Nothing like a little ac/dc to start you up in the morning. 
You get that if you remembered to click the "Dear America"; remember, everyday is like a prize in the cereal., you gotta click it to see what you get...

Why Back in Black, you say?

Well funny you should ask, I just keep having this meddling feeling... what would happen if faced with having the choice of two "African-American" profiles to pick from, as in for the presidency?  How would that look?  Would it be possible for the American community of people with color to vote for the conservative?

I see it like this, we're just now coming of age where there will be many people of color, on both sides of the proverbial fence, to choose from. We are maturing into the reality of all people, of all back grounds, having had equal opportunity under the law to get an education and become actively involved with the policy making of this great country; whether it be the inner city or suburbs, local or nationwide, the accessibility is there and we are seeing it come to fruition right before our very eyes.

With knowing and recognizing the political tapestry changing to incorporate broader issues, as well as lobbying done on a specific scope, to more particular groups and needs, there has never been a more opportune time for minorities to find their place in government.  I mean, look at us now!

Does it not say to all of the world that these times are a changin', or what?

One thing I am so tired of in all the political rhetoric back and forth, back on black, is the using of the race card -- democrats and republicans, clubs or spades, kings and queens.  Why do we stoop so low as to allow the person's color to influence our decision at all? 

I want the best possible person for the job.  Is that being a racist now?

I want, whether black or white or brown, that person, to be of the highest value to fill the position, and I will in turn give that person my utmost respect,  loyalty and support.

So what would happen with a Barack Obama against a J.C. Watts or a Michael Steele?  How would the "African-American" community deal with that and more importantly, would it be fair for me to wonder if it would be a more accurate assessment of how many within that minority swing liberal or conservative?

Because you can't tell me there simply ain't none; you can't tell me some black mamas and papas don't believe some of the very things I believe in; I just won't have any of that.  I know they are there.

And just a couple of days after I wrote the blog on just being called "Americans" I got myself a stunning confirmation.  It just so happened  this black woman, appearing along side a room of mom's on the Glenn Beck Show (9/28/09) had this to say, from Mary Baker, "I no longer want to be called an "African-American, I want to be an AMERICAN."  God bless you, Mary.

You know, she home schools all seven of her children and was one of a very vocal audience who was down right and forthright in making it very clear that government needs to step aside in more ways than one.  It was a victory of mama's coming together, no matter the color of their skin, discussing openly and honestly and lovingly with one another all the ways we need to get back to basics, back on black and white decisions -- no stinkin' grey -- in matters that matter.

There are black people like me; Americans who feel the same as me, and that makes my heart sing.

There are black people like me; Americans who agree with the idea less is more, and that big government needs to get out of the way.

There are black people like me;  Americans who believe that big government is the root of all evil, blaming the government for stifling our independence, wealth, and growth.

There are black people like me;  Americans who believe the Almighty God is the cornerstone of America's true prosperity and success; and without which we will hasten to fall into a valley of civic unrest, morally challenged to not only becoming our very best, but also in creating an honorable community of people.

When I was about five, the story goes that we were living in Norfolk, VA as my papa was stationed there in the Navy.  There was this lady who intrigued me; a black woman and waitress.  I said to my mama I wanted to grow up to be just like her, to which mama said, "you wanna be a waitress?" and I replied with, "no, I wanna be just like her, black".

Well, as luck would have it, I am just like her.
We are all connected in this great big world in which we live...while it's getting smaller by the minute.  We just have to learn how to concentrate on what connects us, instead of what divides.  How can we increase the dialogue with a higher level of listening to the keys that bind, instead of the old tune of what simply tears us apart?

As a wise patina of a woman (I think I just aged myself, beautifully of course), I declare that if we can be of witness to a room full of mama's coming together, in hopes of stirring the political pot before it boils over, in a compassionate effort to find ways to connect and transcend the prevailing wind of a stew gone wrong, we can reach a new level of epicurean delight for all families to come to the table and partake.

The Last Supper, a moment of great magnitude, a symbol of the corruption within the body of the Apostles surrounding Jesus, was a moment wrought with back stabbing, a merciless betrayal in Judas, and forever marks the end of an era -- when Jesus walked upon this earth.

I painted along the ceiling in my dining room a phrase, choosing also an Italian translation (comes out prettier and I happen to be in love with an Italian x), and it goes like this,

"Puo ritenere come buon venerdi, ma domenica sta venedo!  E una vita bella!

In other words,
"It may feel like Good Friday, but Sunday's coming! It's a beautiful life!"

One of the overriding messages from Beck's day with the mama's came in this little tidbit, "we want our kids back" -- and in fundamental unity pronounced, America is God inspired, and we want God back, too.

How dare our government even make an attempt to create a world for our children calling not only attention to what divides us, but indoctrinating the very ideas and principles that go against the holding tight to our culture that true Americans (black and white and brown) want to be -- and must be in order to survive.

The mama's were not afraid to come together under God, nor were they unwilling to budge from their convictions.  SO,

I would be afraid.

Very afraid.

We're back; mama's in black, and white, and brown, and perhaps a few pink polka dots.

Make it a Good Day, G

Dear America,

Good Morning.

It's a wonder I got anything done at all yesterday; I mean, with respect to the blog, I don't know how I did it. It's a blur, a blip, it was an out of body, out of my mind experience and you were there. 

I was so distracted.  I had little missy and her buddy bouncing around, I was running to pick up bagels, cleaning up after the first seasonal ants invaded BooBoo's treat bowl, finding sacrificial boxes for the construction of the puff-ball family homestead, and was just completely off my mark (what's that? just normal G gibberish.  Oh I get it, that's funny).  Can I continue...

I hit the "publish post" button even before the first complete sentence, so that should tell you something.  It was like premature pontification and it just ruined me; I kept thinking if only I didn't hit the button, if only I just saved it as a mere draft as I tinkered along my merry way, no, I hit "publish post", if only...

Thank God the only foreign policy issue I had to deal with was running on six legs with a penchant for picnic items.

Seriously, with respect to what I quite possibly didn't make very clear in all my haste yesterday, Obama cutting off his white side would be like me cutting off the 'swedes, czechs, moravians and danes' from my mama, the Heinz 57 that I am.  According to rules of engagement in determining attributes of one's family tree, a few branches would be entirely annihilated, leaving me with only the Germans and the English to battle it out for seniority, and we all know how that goes down. ain't pretty.

What kind of logic is that to deny any part of our history, or how we came into being from one generation to the next?  Is nothing sacred anymore?  Should I be okay with it, you know, with Obama dissing whitey from his heritage?  Oh he "could no more disavow his white grandmother, any more than he could Rev. Wright," and this should make us all feel better?  Yeah, I love Oreo cookies too, except for that white stuff hidden in the middle.  You see how things like this can just make a girl crazy.

But here we are.  All of a sudden we have this really cool President who calls attention to the coup of the 50% African-American inside him, who bounces around the airwaves on a Sunday morning and swoons in on late night Letterman like a celebrity, who jets off to God-knows-where almost every day of the week, jumping from one wild world of dictators to the next (without so much as a wrinkled shirt, making it all look so easy), all the while, artfully masterminding a complete government takeover here at home...How does he do it?

I mean, I know I'm no rocket scientist and all.  I may be an out of work, single mom, with my liberal arts degree looking like all but a weekend seminar to the Harvard graduate,  But I do know this, something is very off and into the wild blue yonder with this guy.

We are at war in two places (at the very minimum), and yet following McCrystal's take over of operations in Afghanistan, our President has spoken with the general in charge of priority #1 but once in the last 70 days?  Are you kidding me?  Micky even asked for more troops in August, only to be rebuffed with not to ask; the President was still weighing all the options (confused with public support declining and frustrations at home escalating, I guess) and didn't even want the request sitting on his desk, staring him down like the Geico stack of money.

Oh but this is the guy who while campaigning said "this is the war we must win".  It's the "good war" he said; hello, the tell tale sign how green, how wet behind the ears, he really was -- for NO WAR is a good war, as any general, or general public, could see through that (if only we had paid attention.  damn it, I hate it when that happens). 

No, the pretty boy said Bushie had it all wrong; adding that if he were in charge, he would do something about it, and not leave until the mission was accomplished. No sir ree, at..ten...tion!; he would not leave until the people were protected, having achieved a full Al-Qaeda retreat.
Trying so hard to be the Un-Bush.

Oh really?

Yeah, haven't you been listening, as this is what he's been talking about, gosh, even as a Senate-duh; he has said that ever since 2002, Bushie had it wrong -- Afghanistan was it, not Iraq; for the sake of Paak-e-staan, of course, as well as the rest of us; don't you just love it when people can switch up dialects on the fly. I love that.

Aaah yes, so easy to say when behind a podium with a teleprompter versus the throne of the oval office with all eyes looking at you to lead.

Yes, if I were you Mr. President, I would definitely be getting back on the plane to scoot off to Copenhagen with my wife, Oprah, Olympic medalists and entourage, oh yes indeed.  In a New York minute I would be awol too, throwing caution to the wind, scuffing off the call to arms and scouring over with complete denial the health care bill splattered all over the walls of Congress.

Yes, Mr. President, what is most important today is making sure your homeboys in Chicago get the rights to host the 2016 Olympics.  That is the good war.  I appreciate the new found glory, in spite of what you said two weeks ago, what with all that was at stake for Americans in ramming health care reform down our throats, there was simply no time to tend to something like acting as chicago-thug-in-chief to sway the Olympic panel, of all things; only now, in consideration of all that's at stake in staying home, he would rather be in the company of Europeans.

His MO, not to be confused with BO, is making swift advances, only to retreat when it requires something of a spine and iron will to stay the course.

Another case in point, first day on the job, what does he do but signs the closing of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

oooooh.  Made your point, and more power to ya, Mr. President. Kudos.

Oh, what's that?  Can't hear you?  Oh, finding difficulty in the follow through, to finish the job.  Nobody wants these guys, huh.  Fascinating.

Whats even more fascinating is watching the ACLU throwing a hissy fit because of being denied access.  I don't know, ever since that day back in May when a prisoner held a sign up asking if our Obama was a communist or a democrat.  The irony in hearing the director of the ACLU actually say GITMO was  more accessible under Bush, in light of Obama  storming in on the ticket  of transparency, I find the situation amusing, if not entirely alarming.

Yes, the MO of fool's rush in.  Not unlike how we saw the health care bill implode following month's of hearing that it MUST PASS and IT WILL PASS come the end of July, before the kids in the House are out for summer vacation, MARK MY WORDS and read my lips.

We had to get it done, before anybody knew what it was really all about.

For as we all are well aware now, the rush was on purpose.  And while orchestrating the rush, the truth of the matter is, nothing will be implemented until 2013; but we're in a real hurry to get this done for the American people.  We're in a rush to get it mandated that we not only buy into the idea, but also into the government insurance plan itself (ranging from $1,500 - $3,800/year), or run the risk of being heavily fined (up to $25,000) -- or a year in jail.  (So much for civil liberties).

At least a few people in Congress are trying to slow things down, as evident by having to write a bill just to give us time for all of us to read the bills that are rushed on through right under our noses.  Funny, a bill that advocates time to read a bill; is that really where we're at?  By the way, the bill is asking for 72 hours advance notice to the media and John Q. Public. (For a 1000 page bill that would be about right; it would give our representatives about 333 pages/day, with time allowance for careful review with an attorney or two to explain it.  Excellent news.)

I'm feeling more confident as time presses on, aren't you?

I may have been distracted yesterday, running around and trying to bite off more than I could chew in one day.  I mean, if I'm gonna do things right, it requires focus. Determination. Drive.  Stamina.  My strategy yesterday evolved into breaking things down by priorities, managing what I could from the fringe, and just plain letting things go when push came to shove. 

Decisions not unlike that of a President on any given day.

Make it a Good Day, G

You know, we're still not done talking about race.  Remind me tomorrow to mention the man of steal.

Dear America,

So where are we at this morning?

My girl is home from school today and is sitting on the floor of her room, building little houses out of boxes for her family of puff-ball people.  School is out; teacher's have an admin day to take in all the new liberal dialogue and training tools for brainwashing our kids, so that's pretty cool. not.

I love how my girl still uses her imagination to entertain herself.  I love how it is creative and how she can just sit hunched over cutting and coloring and pasting a little life for her extended family.  Today, she has with her one of her best friends, someone she's known since kindergarten, and it just makes me smile that I am home with her and am witness to an art form of friendship building and childhood. 

My favorite thing about childhood, including my own, is the things we do that do not require an "organization" or uniform; it is kick-the-can and hide-and-go-seek; it is lemonade stands and car washes; it is baseball or hockey in the empty lot; it is staying outside until your mom calls or staying up late with slumber party's playing monopoly, twister, or tic-tac-toe.

I know, I know.  Times have changed.

But this morning I am getting my jollies watching the last bastion of childhood play out right before my eyes and I couldn't be happier. (sweet. She just put on the latest Taylor Swift CD, Fearless; damn it, now she's gonna make me cry).

Makes me wonder more about our dear President; raised on an island, and if not there, planted in a foreign country of Indonesia.  I wonder what games he played or did he have to grow up too fast? 

He liked his father's heritage, his father's image, that we all know.  He calls himself an African-American; yet honestly, what about his other half?  He is, afterall, half white.

According to our President, the love which created a child between his mother and father may have been conceived from a deeper desire to prove something, given it was the birth of an entirely new era for America, the dawn of a new age, an age that would turn America breech for decades to come.

(What happened?)

And in watching our President these last few months, I just have to wonder, black or white, is he really the right model for our children? Does he characterize America and all that she stands for the way I believe it should be?  Does he have the solid childhood, a firm foundation built upon American traditions along with a memory of allegiance and love of country to support his duty to stand before us today as our leader, and more importantly, to teach our children by example?

He doesn't even want to acknowledge his other half. 
He doesn't want to honor the white mother, or grandmother who raised him (unless it offers a chance to help facilitate his argument for nationalized health care). 

What is that about?  Am I the only one who has an issue with this?

Our sitting President holds deep resentments towards the white folk family lineage who is half of the man we see today, and we should feel secure? 

I'm not speaking in reference to just how it affects white people; I'm speaking in terms of how it defines the man; that this kind of prejudice is what he is made of; for it is as clear as day, the identity crisis of his childhood adversely affected how and what he thinks towards the white man, in his own words. 

And there is nothing wrong with looking at this in hopes of revealing how we might all come together, to not only heal America and the racial tensions of today, but the profound opportunity before us, and more specifically, our dear President, to let the wrongdoings and insecurities and pain of the past go.

To be true to himself, and in essence to all of us, our President must recognize who he truly is without prejudice.  He must say, yes, I am proud being half white and half black; for how can he pick just one -- without the other side feeling like the ugly stepchild, or cinderfella?

If thoughts are things, then the President's thoughts reveal not only his past, but perhaps our future; for we are currently under his care -- even though, thank heaven, in God's hands.

If we can't learn to let go of that which harmed us in our childhood, we will go on committing the same mistakes, or worse, never see a day where our kids can truly live peacefully playing and grow up working, along side each other, without someone trying to "teach" all the ways we are different versus all the ways we are the same.

To teach love, we only need to be loving.
To teach forgiveness, we only need to forgive.

From Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, A Prayer for the World:


Let the rain come and wash away the ancient grudges, the bitter hatreds held and nurtured over generations.
Let the rain wash away the memory of the hurt, the neglect.
Then let the sun come out and fill the sky with rainbows.
Let the warmth of the sun heal us wherever we are broken.
Let it burn away the fog so that we can see each other clearly.
So that we can see beyond labels, beyond accents, gender or skin color.
Let the warmth and brightness of the sun melt our selfishness.
So that we can share the joys and feel the  sorrows of our neighbors.
And let the light of the sun be so strong that we will see all people as our neighbors.
Let the earth, nourished by rain, bring forth flowers to surround us with beauty.
And let the mountains teach our hearts to reach upward to heaven.  Amen.

 Love thy neighbor as thyself today; beginning with loving what is inside you-- black, white or both -- and admire all that you are in this moment. 

Black may be beautiful; but White may be wishful. 
When a little of both (are you listening, Mr. President?), hopefully wishing a more beautiful life for us all --equally, as one nation under God.

Make it a Good Day, G

G's gotta go...must go spin the needle for the twister game.
I just love being asked.
Give that another six months.

Dear America,

Hey,Good Morning and Happy Saturday,

I got to thinkin' this morning and I just wanted to clear something up from yesterday.

You know when I said I think "whitey" should be called European-Americans, in no way, shape or form do I really believe that. I was kidding, any of you who really know me would know that, but just to be sure...

 I mean, come on, that would not only defeat the whole purpose of America, it would call attention to a connection to a crazy lot these days; and in this global, G20 community of kumbaya, I'm not advocating or condoning such a thought, eew.

I mean, come on, the way "you all" take wind of something and march on washington and hold tea party's and such, it would take 20 minutes for that wild fire to run out of control via the net, right.

I was just attempting to make a point; we're all rootin' tootin', plain and simple Americans with a heart of gold.  This little diddy I'm directing you to this morning is plain and simple Neil Young from 1971.

I was nine. How old were you?

It's a funny piece as he is fumbling in his pockets to find the right harmonica. Try and get through the first two minutes without losing your patience as for a minute or two he comes off like a dork.  But it's a sweet song; and Neil just sits there on the stage all by himself with, his only other back up, his guitar.

Some of us may be sleeping in this morning, as it is a Saturday, but orchestrating all around us America is on the move. So here's to searching and finding this morning.  Peace out.

Make it a good day, G

Just to remind you, I'm linking my "Dear America" to something special each time. Don't forget to click on it to see what happens and where it takes you...Tying together the musical note, I highlighted another performance, this one being from Joan Baez, on stage in France of all places, circa 1980.  Enjoy.

Dear America,

You know, if the black people in America want to call themselves "African-Americans", shouldn't anyone who appear "white" in America be called European-Americans? 

If based upon the territory from which we come, wouldn't this make much more sense?  And wouldn't the intellectual, European, anti-American, elitists love it!

And just where in fact did "Caucasian" come from anyway?  Sounds so scientific, so neanderthal, so old world.

Thanks to Wikipedia-- don't you love access to the "www", the whole world is at our fingertips -- I have discovered the root of the word, Caucasian. 

In the 1800's, a German scientist and anthropologist by the name of Johann Frederich Blumenbach, invented the term to characterize the "beautiful race of men"  found at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, particularly to the area at the southern slope known as the Georgian region. The ranges signified the divide between the Black and Caspian Seas, and were considered the border of Europe.

Having no idea about any of this, wikipedia goes on to mention that the term is considered quite "controversial" today, saying this:

"rejected by academics and political activists who view any system of categorizing humanity based on physical type as an obsolete 19th Century racism. and human genome studies have shown there is no single and simple genetic definition equivalent to 'Caucasian'."

Had no idea about that either.  Here I am just bouncing along, singing a song, and then bam, "you, G, can't be dignified by a proper label from which you come."  What's a girl to do.

But isn't it worse being labeled in such a way that reminds us all of one of the greatest travesties in history where the African was brought to America as a slave?  Simply making a matter of subjective record, the words we choose to describe ourselves may very well be the root of the problem; being that what we think about over and over and over again (as thoughts are things, right, and carry a life force of their very own), the articulation then becomes this twisted connection to something profane and unjust almost every time we open our mouth and give characterization to someone of color in saying "African-American".

'Oh, you're an African-American, was that your great, great grandpa, or your grandma, abused as a cotton picker by my great, great grand-daddy?'

I, on the other hand, have no business being called anything; with built in obsolescence, Caucasian is no more justified or accurate in and of itself.  That bites.

Oh wait,
I know, I know...Mr. Kotter, Mr Kotter, pick me!

I got it. I got it. I know what we can do.

Let's just call ourselves AMERICANS (whoa dude, right on).

True blue, red, white and purple... chocolate and vanilla, from Five Spice to cinnamon to paprika to chili pepper, from generations of old to the generation of now... We are simply AMERICAN.

That is what we are; and until the day we stop calling each other names honoring a dark past over a bright future (and including, but not limited to, a liar, nazi, nigger or stupid), we will never find the yummy, fluid, ooey-gooey center of the tootsie-pop waiting for us all to enjoy; we've been working on that sucker for way too long now and have no idea the pleasure that awaits with only taking one big bite ... begging the question, just how many licks does it take?

I know, I know.  How elementary to call us all Americans.  Doesn't that oversimplify the beauty and dynamics of our melting pot culture, rolling us all into one like that, watering down the very thing that made us the ultimate destination in the first place? How unfair. How homogenized.  How un-American; all the while throwing the tootsie pop under the bus as we speak.

Well I say, calling us all anything but simply AMERICAN is really the crime. 

It says to me, let's continue to segregate and divide us in a way that sounds virtually okay--  beckoning the heartstrings of the politically correct -- while swallowing the ooey gooey center and all whole; choking on the most ignorant American affirmation of them all; for haven't we all been raised properly, indoctrinated with notion that the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts; realizing the synergy of knowing that separately we cannot compare to that of the full effects and value of putting all the parts together.

Sure, there is an added interest, blah blah, blah blah blah, as the 10 year census figures are necessary and vital,blah blah, blah blah blah, to seeing what makes up the ingredients of our fine melting pot culture blah blah blah; there is that.  But here's the thing, every time we categorize and label, we cause immediate separation; you are this and I am that. Period. The line is drawn. The damages been done.

The concept of duality of trying to remain united while at the same time divided is futile; in any given moment one wins out over the other.

I say, we are AMERICAN.  That's it.

Instead of meeting the challenges of today coming from the place as one, as Americans, and Americans only, we are damaging the integrity of the bloody hell, last two hundred years, by George.  We escaped England and all of Europe to become a new nation; we separated, no divorced, England et al and didn't hold onto the name when we left for a reason.  We let it all go.

Yes, the Africans who came to America was not by choice in the beginning; but today, it is! 

Did you know:

•  that up until about 1910, 90% of African-Americans lived in the south
•  and according to records from the year 2000, 54% still do. 
• Woodrow Wilson, the first southern Democrat elected to the office of the President, felt it would be better for all of us, both black Americans and white Americans, to introduce segregation in the Federal Government. 
• Today there are roughly 40 million African-Americans, residing mostly in urban areas, the highest population in New York, with Chicago coming in second. 
• Obama received the largest proportion of the white vote since Jimmy Carter; also gaining an overwhelming 95% of the black vote. 
• In the previous election of 2004, 88% of the black vote went to Kerry and 11% to Bush.

I'm sure Obama's color of skin had nothing to do with how the black community, including Powell, cast their vote; that observation would not only be wrong for me to make, but may very well hint at a racial charge that is simply untrue.

But if you go back in time searching the www on your own-- look it up, I double-dog-dare-you --  you will find that time and time again, it was the white boy, the Southern Democrat, who made such sacrificial errors in judgment.  It is those guys who we should ALL be mad at; not the every day American standing around the water cooler who just wants us all to get along.

And on a personal side note:  I am an actual descendent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and proud of it.  In as much as my family settled in the North, and later, also in Kansas, we never settled  in the South; you can whistle dixie (Theme song of the day with a click on"Dear America" above) until the cows come home, but I will have no part in recognizing responsibility for what the southern boys did, or how I can only imagine the south continues to this day damaging the common threads that hold this country together; having said that, the Real Housewives of Atlanta don't seem to be doing too badly, and certainly, so much fun to watch.

The everyday Caucasian-American shares the values with the everyday African-American in wanting to teach us all, not only the gift that our shared past brings, but the lesson in learning from our mistakes and to live in the present moment.  And to be clear, as all Americans should agree, we mustn't dwell on it; you know how your tongue gets after awhile, sucking on the hard candy shell, you get to the point where you just gotta stop or suffer the consequences of losing the feeling altogether.

Make it a Good Day, G

Dear America,

Good Morning my little racists (say it like you're talking to your dog).

Oh my goodness, the media loves to keep asking the question, are we or aren't we?  That use to be in reference to if we were coloring our hair, but by today's standards, it bring us to a whole 'nother level.

I am going to try to lighten the load this morning.
For me that meant turning up the youtube to bring in a little lyrical levity, as music does wonders to the soul; and what did I start with you ask?

This, in tribute to Michael,
...if you're thinking about my baby it don't matter if you're black or white...

I found the version with lyrics to help you sing along; gotta love Michael's heart; a better video includes McCauley Culkin, but I will leave that to you to find on your own xx  As we came to realize over time, Michael was a troubled soul. 

Yet, being one who grew up with the Jackson 5, ABC and 123, my favorite Michael era was when he was a kid like me.  As a kid, I saw of course that he was a different color than me, but I was so fascinated by this family of brothers, all dancing and singing, looking like they were having such a good time entertaining people,the furthest thing from my mind were thoughts pertaining to inequalities of his race;  for he was the kid on TV, not me. 

He was the lucky one.  He was the star.  Now looking back, it is I who held the memory of inadequacy, not Micheal; my perception was that of comparison of this kid making himself a bigger than life phenomenon, me? I went to ballet class and was in a recital for moms and dads and grandparents -- oh joy -- but not the entire world.  They were on TV, what else was a child to think? (Of course, it was Marcia, Marcia, Marcia on the Brady Bunch who I really wanted to be; Maryann on Gilligan's Island was out of the question, as she really wasn't real)...oh the woes of childhood.

There have been lots of guessing as to the how and why the Michael we loved and grew up with slowly transformed right before our very eyes.  I don't think anybody will really know all there was behind the glove; may we all hope he finds himself finally at peace up there in heaven, entertaining angels and dancing with the stars.

Let's dig a little deeper,

The book written by Barack Obama, even before his election to the Illinois State Senate, is truly a piece of work.  Some say, it was written to assist the Chicago (ethnic) public in understanding a deeper sense of the man, particularly with respect to what side of the mouth Obama would be smacking, in an effort to win over the votes of a community (ACORN anyone?).

You see, the man in the Big White House was raised asking himself questions as to who he was all his life; having come from a white mama and a black papa.  And from all appearances within the book he wrote, his childhood, in his own words, was wrecked with an identity crisis; rooted in every racial slur, acts of bigotry, separation, hate, violence, pain, loneliness, insecurity, loss of childhood, dysfunctional adulthood, always seeking, never finding, wrapping up every fire and ice storm of the last two hundred years into one book.  What a weight of the world for a young boy to carry...

"I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."

"I found solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race."

"I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own.  It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa, that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, Dubois and Mandela."

He made very public his private pain, why?

My Yellowstone mug I took with me as a memento from the Park has a big Y on the face of it.  Scribbled around the edge of the inside are painted phrases of America's First Natl Park, 1872, Let the Spirit Move You, Oldest & Best, America's Finest, Old Faithful with little hearts and bear claws separating the lines...it makes me smile.

Y.   Why?  The question constantly nudges my soul to ask. Why?

Why did he feel a need to bring us all into his deepest and darkest secrets?  Why did he write it? But like any writer will tell you, writing becomes an almost out of body act of expression, allowing words to come from some source (Thank you, God)  hidden in the gallows of one's soul, giving birth to an idea, a thought, a feeling, framing a moment of time or a lifetime into words.

We feel better once we put things down in writing; keeping a journal or daily diary has for a long time represented the catharsis of the emotional world, and brings us peace.

It's been said, if you are really angry with someone, or an entire race, write it down and allow yourself to feel it, see it in words, let it have a life on paper...then burn it, quickly.  Let it go.  Stop holding onto the pain.  Let it go.  Let a new life unfold and take root.

I'm wondering if that happened with our dear President.

And for that matter, with all African-Americans.

Does America really have to keep holding on to what was never a good thing, was always the wrong way, and has never been okay, standing still as an ugly part of our history?  Can we not let it go and start anew?

In order to do that we must make changes to how we think and what we project not only of ourselves, but as an entire country.  We cannot succeed holding on to the lack, the separation, the inhumanity, and the loss; we can only move on by thoughts of love, acceptance, trust, togetherness and connection to all those who live and breathe in this great land today.  Continuing to point the finger back at past generations to bring guilt into the current realm we only breed more harm; while pointing inward to ourselves and asking the question how can I help transform is more the answer.  (oh my gosh, its kind of along the same lines as what Obama said at the UN yesterday, apologizing to the entire world for the cracked up Imperialistic mass of humanity that we are, but that would be getting us off base. Watch part one and find part two...)

From the girl, who also happens to be white, WE CAN teach our children to never forget, but also to forgive and with that make every effort to step forward.

Yes.  We can.

I said I would be bringing up my American dog today, I do so with love in my heart.  I hesitate in this moment --as I think about it more -- because I don't want this to come off flippant or uncaring to the angst of the conversation we are having today.  But I know in my heart we can teach a dog new tricks.  And taking it one step further, we can create a whole new breed.

Case in point, my baby BooBoo, the sweet little Boston Terrier that he is has quite a history.  Boston's were bred from the English Pit Bull and the English Terrier back in the era of the civil war...1865.  Interesting. 

I got to thinking about this lovin' spoonful sitting at my feet as an organic example of how starting fresh, planting a new seed and starting a new breed can be for all of us.  You see, there was this guy, living in Boston, who wanted to take out the anger of the fighting Pit Bull while keeping the integrity of the soul of his dog; encapsulating all the other natural qualities of size and temperament and appearance he liked; he just wanted to get rid of the anger.

And from his belief and efforts of finding a way to change the pit bull into the happy go lucky, family adoring, blanket loving, gotta-make-it-cozy, little muffin of a dog, the BOSTON TERRIER that we know and love today was born,  born in the USA (Springsteen's personal rise from a war torn heart to a rockin daddy). 

BooBoo is part black and part white and all 100% AMERICAN.  Made in America, by an American, and stands on four paws as testament to our heritage and young commonwealth of the times -- go out and get yourself one today, total happiness guaranteed.  (Little secret, if you haven't figured it out already, a click on my "Dear America" will send you straight to a Boston Terrier rescue organization, Boston Buddies.  Find them in your own area and find yourself a keeper, all for a good cause!)

This morning, a look at BooBoo is reminding me we are all black and white, the outside is all a facade, for each and every one of us carry the history into our future, a cross we all bear.  It is then how we live with each other that will prove our rise or our fall, and tell us if we have what's inside us to rise out of the tomb and resurrect a new America. From dog house to Penthouse, do we have what it takes to reside in glory with one another, in praise of learning something new, or do we resign ourselves in shame, cowering with our tail between our legs? 

We have the ability by the Spirit inside us to be lifted up, or hold us hostage to the past, and have a choice to make; while if nothing else, gives us reason to think first ...to think before we 'speak'.

good dog.

make it a good day, G

Dear America,

Well, hunting around for information on the new commander of  369th Adjutant General Battalion of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School, was a duty and an honor come this morning.

One of the very first articles I discovered on her was found in the mother load of places, an organization of authors and commentary and events and news that just calls itself simply "thank you for your service. us".

Granted, there was a picture of the Army Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa King, but no where in the article did it segregate the race factor, it highlighted the fact and commendation of being the very first WOMAN (who just so happens to be black).  And here's some other stats:

• Percentage of female officers in the Army - 15%
• Percentage of women in active duty ranks - 14%
• There are 57 women commander/generals in the Army - 5% of the Commander core
• In 1980, King was among the 1st recruits to train along side men

and years of service for our blessed country - 29 years!

She was chosen for the incredible duty of turning the everyday civilian into a soldier, quite possibly due to her work ethic philosophy of "to give a hard day's work for whatever I earned and take no short cuts."  This kind of discipline was taught by her late father who raised twelve children, including the first woman taking charge of raising new recruits.

A point of added interest, she has a Masters Degree in Business Management, and if that weren't enough, she is going on to get another one in Theology, for her love of studying acts of leadership in the Bible. Get out, this girl is amazing.  She is making me feel more secure by the minute if this is the kind of person -- as in the best possible person for the job -- holding a position of such great influence over how our boys and girls turn out.  God bless her and upon all whom she makes her mark.

Uh ruh, Teresa King, uh ruh.  ( uh oh, that just may be Marines...)
By the way, in every article I pulled up this morning, no mention she was black.

Sure, we can all see that, but hello? I guess one could argue that the truth is, the Army needs to work on recruiting more women in general (currently 20% of entire military)...or is it that more women need to be interested in joining the Army?  Since we don't have the draft they can't force us, you know. 

So in review of this little tidbit of news from yesterday's front page (even though it happened in July?), can we recognize the great feat this truly is?  Can we stop and say, wow?!  As first and foremost, she not only breaks through the roof of the barracks, but she - as a woman - slaughters any misconception of changes happening today in the rank and file of our fine military services. 

The racial makeup of the entire military:  67% white, 17% Black (9% Hispanic); from records through 2005, there were 1,841 deaths in the Iraq War, 71% White, 9% Black (10% Hispanic). Hmmm, the numbers who join are disproportionate to society; so too the numbers who actually give their life; but so too the numbers who actually VOLUNTEER.

As we have noted time and time again, 13% of our general population are African-American; since we are not a country who forces people to go into the military today, those who CHOSE to enlist do so from whatever place in their heart the call to our country exists.  Yes, the military has been a refuge as an extension of welfare to some, for others it is the desire to serve or a family heritage passed on, and for others, they may just have something to prove to themselves, or to the world -- the reasons why we join are many and oh so personal.

It is fascinating, Charlie Rangel (D-NY), said he wanted the draft back in play in 2005; he felt we should advocate the military population to conform with the whole; of course, having said that, how in the world does he think he could control who dies?  For if everything must be "equal" and the "fair shake" under the utopian view of American life, as according to the liberal handbook, then we have got a lot of work to do in even-ing things out; and this isn't just having to do with blacks, but the Hispanics too, who will clean up after us following hotel stays or pick up the garbage!?  Where is Waldo Rangel in that?

The truth is, we can't make people do anything.  In America, we're all about giving people the freedom to create their own world, at least we use to be.

In an about face, we haven't even mentioned health care in a few weeks, kind of funny looking back at the blogs of summer; to take a minute to fall in line, if the House Democrats have their way and the President gets what he wants, we may not be going so far as to reinstating the draft, but it looks like we will be forcing people to buy health insurance or else fall victim to a serious fine.

I find it amusing really; all these people who said they can't afford insurance when making 75 k/year (because they have the BMW - ding - and daily Starbucks - ding, ding-  to cover), to those kids today fresh out of college thinking they're invincible, they will all be forced to pay up.  Isn't that a riot.  That be an ambush of not only the wallet, but our personal freedoms, in my eyes; a bold move and one worthy to declare war.

 But who are we kidding, it's the government that needs the boot camp.  I wonder if King could step in and do something about that?

And just before I go today, you know what else bugs-- speaking of the military and the African-American -- what happened to Colin Powell?  From his personal declaration of being a Republican in 1995, from his first national limelight under Reagan as his National Security Advisor, to George H.W., through Clinton, and to George W. as his Secretary of State -- from campaigning for McCain and at times even for himself -- Powell, in all his magnificence, turned on us Americans in that mid-October assault last year, riding the waves of the anti-Bush, anti anything seriously Republican, touting an anything else but reform... for a change is a comin'. 

He said he liked Obama's "transformational" abilities.

I think the color of his skin trumped the American Republican. But what do I know?

To his credit, I think Powell was right on the money with Obama's ability to change Washington, oh yes, indeed.

During the final days of the campaign Obama stood at the podium, divining a fortuitous cross of  MLK and Churchill, saying this,

"we are five days away from fundamentally changing America"

no shit.

make it a good day, G

I posted a picture of my little love booboo.  He's black and white; worthy of noting in anticipation for tomorrow's blog xx

Dear America,

OK stay alert people.  We've got a lot to cover and I need your full attention.

Let's hit the chalk board and break it down.

Black and White.  The Liberal and Conservative.  What defines us, really, and how does it apply to the discussion of race relations; taken within the same vain as yesterdays new found awareness that "it's neither good or bad, thinking makes it so."

First, let me jump in with this.  As you know, two weeks ago, I was driving little miss daisy to New Mexico, along with an Uncle, a couple of Aunts, two kitty's, two horses and a convoy of truckers.  I never have had much time with my Aunts except holidays and reunions; tending to grandma and moving the household allowed for spending time together in a way that required us to do everything together, on the road, with very little time to ourselves as well as a lot of heavy lifting (hope grandma doesn't read this).  It was all about the mission to get grandma where she needed to go ...while keeping our sanity.

It was great; even the funny wacko things that happened along the way made us laugh until we peed; things like inadvertently hitting the trunk button and having a host of grandma's collectibles strewn all over a dark Corrales road, stamp collections and family photos and all; never would we have known if it hadn't of been for Uncle Allan and Aunt Suzanne on our tail.  When we realized Allan was no longer in the rear view mirror, we circled around only to find them picking up memories from 1917 piece by piece.   Thank God it came after a fine dinner and a couple of glasses of wine; as you can well imagine, the matriarch with a front row seat, watching the escapades play out, was not too thrilled with the lot of us. Not too thrilled indeed.

Good times.

Oh my, my point. 

Aunt Viki, in all that makes her tick -- which is all crazy good --  whenever she was telling a story, she loved to describe the "African-American" as chocolate.  And before you jump on her (or me for bringing it up), you really do have to know her.  She's an artist (a really good one, who actually makes money at it). She's a cowboy (no, she really is, she's serious about her horses).  And she lived in Australia raising her two fine boys for over twenty years (so that, in and of itself, is different being way down under for so long).  As true blue as they come, and as happy to be on American soil that she is, and as a product of the 60's , she is just a different sort of bird.  She rolls up into one big yummy morsel of quirks and zest for life and living; for her to refer to black people as chocolate is from a whimsical heart full of love and deep appreciation of the flavor African-Americans bring to the world, and more specifically, to her life.  Her whole life is like a box of crayola's, so call it artistic license to express herself freely.

So I got to thinking about this idea of perception and how personal it may be, and just how valid our perception of race relations can become through different views; to be more perfectly clear, just how different is the Liberal view and methodology, versus that of the Conservative?

Through Aunt Viki's eyes to the soul, she just honors the flavors of chocolate and vanilla, and mixes it together to make a frosty or a hot fudge sundae; either way, it makes something a lot more fascinating put together than by themselves. (And for political purposes, she swings right down the middle, generally speaking of course.)

Race relations is highly personal,  meaning if you are raised by a bigot, you tend to become a bigot; if raised with a radical, you tend to grow up a radical; if raised by a lefty, you tend to stay left; if raised by a righty, you tend to keep right on going right...you get my drift. Of course, there are exceptions, total flip flops have occured within a family, it happens; that's how one's life experiences, added to our upbringing, shape us into who we ultimately become. 

Just how different are we -- lefties and righties-- in how we think?

I can't speak for all of you, of course (duh).  But as you may have gathered, I tend to veer right.  Yes, raised by a couple of rightie's, big shout out to mama and papa, thank you and bless you, and thanks again, really, I mean that from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  I love the conservative side of me.

I love how it shaped me.  How it helped me to survive the eighties (barely).  I love how it helps me today with the great responsibility of raising my girl.  I love how it's core belief is simple in nature; take care of your own self, and all else shall be added unto you.  I love how, if we could ever get back to it's foundation, that it is the side of politics that values the ideology where less is more; and that the more we allow people to be people doing their own thing the better off we will all be.  I love that.

I could never see myself as a liberal, ever.  To me, they appear on the side of politics who tries way too hard to make way too many people happy; when for God's sake, people have a responsibility to themselves to find their own way, and pursue their own happiness.  I believe all people can do that quite nicely; we all know what makes us tick and what we want out of life and have the ability to get there on our own, right?

But no, here's the liberal swooning in with the philosophy that "I'm with the government, I'm here to help" (I love that one). And what do people do?  They roll over and take it, bowing down in thanks; and every so often the people get a treat.  A little while later, the people get bored and need attention and they roll over again...hey, watch me...and keep rolling over, again and again and again.  Well I'm here today to tell you, the dawg needs a new trick; we will never make it to the big show if this is all you got.

After watching Monday Night Football, a lovely tradition instilled by my dear old dad, I noticed something else.  My perception was aided and abetted by what I saw right before my very eyes. The number of African-Americans playing, taking a look around the sidelines and stands -- and remembering according to the real numbers only 13% of our total population is African-American-- and found myself immediately blindsided and tackled to the turf.

Oh but what did my wondering eyes did appear, but a stadium of chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon and cheer!

If my eyes were correct, and I believe they were, I couldn't help but notice the ratio of players with one pitted up against another, all tangled up and yummy together on top of each other, huddled up on the sidelines... there was a lot of chocolate. 

And my eyes were not deceiving me; rumor has it up to 70% of the NFL is African-American. Hmmm.

I had to look into this myself; but apparently, we can't talk about it.  Apparently, leave it to a girl to not know any better, but it's taboo to discuss the numbers, the racial statistics, in the NFL, or NBA,  or the  MLB.  Nope, we can't talk about the overwhelming number of African-Americans who make alot of money playing sports and entertaining the grandstands.  Nope.

Of course, a Conservative view is it's just good bizn nis (say it like funny guy Eddy Murphy); you show me the best candidate for the job and you show me the money maker.  And just where is the ACLU in the simple argument that there ain't enough vanilla in the mix?  Is that fair?  Is that right?  Or are we just letting the best guy play the game, and quite possibly, win it?

Or how about even the look at who's in charge of who's playing?  According to the stats, in 2008, there were 7 African-American head coaches out of 32; and if you kindly do your math, you get 22%.  Hmmm (a number higher than 13)

My conservative perception is simply this, the NFL, by definition, is a sport that capitalizes on the number of times we win the game; knowing that, we pick the best guy for the job, whether or not the stats go askew.  As any sport will tell you, we must pick and choose the team according to merit and merit alone, otherwise, we may not win.  So where is the liberal screaming out of bounds?  Wouldn't this be of interest to any living breathing lefty who works real hard to making sure everyone has a fair shake, that the mix of chocolate to vanilla is even steven?  Am I missing something?

FYI there also seems to be no black kickers or punters in the NFL at all.  Shouldn't we do something about that?  Oh, let that one sit on the bench for another day...

We cannot become a society so consumed by race that it becomes a detriment to individual merit and expertise.  We simply can't eat ourselves sick with making sure EVERY segment of profession and position and talent is according to tweaking the recipe for success just out of political correctness or unworthy entitlements, because the truth is, there are areas that would stop the game in a nano second.

Let's look at who gets the rapper contracts (quite possibly 80/1) or who simply writes the songs, motown and uptown and downtown?  Let's look at who inspires us, the preachers and the teachers.  Let's take a good look at Hollywood, the Oprah dynasty, and the entire media  industry who entertains and brings us news?  Do you think for one minute Oprah surrounds herself with the actual population percentages of whites to blacks, Asians to Hispanics, men to women, 13% and all?

And along those lines, what about BET - Black Entertainment Television?  Do you think we could actually have a WET? And why didn't they call it A-AET?

Just because it took awhile to give an Oscar to a black woman, are we really gonna scream fire, or can we simply recognize NO ONE more worthy in that moment than Hally Berry?  And wouldn't Hally even admit how much better it is to hold Oscar due to her performance, and not the color of her skin?

In 2003, Rush Limbaugh was interviewing Jimmy "the Greek"of the Philidelphia Eagles testing the political correctness of the times, questioning the lack of objectivity in covering the performance of the black quarterback culminating out of the fear within the media of being considered a racist if we are critical to one little thing.  This was based upon the old school premise, a white quarterback is smarter for the task, thereby we must "protect" the black quarterback of any challenging remarks, holding him safely under guard when faced with analyzing the game; making a new standard of reporting, while invariably creating a counter culture to the rule of picking apart the game films altogether.  When Donovan McNabb caught wind of this he said, "It's sad that you've got to go to skin color.  I thought we were through with that whole deal."

I hope we are all opening are eyes; but at the same time, this stuff has the potential to make us all crazy, if not terribly ill.

Coming from just a girl, sports is a perfect way to look at where we are in race relations; it's not about winning or losing, or the color of our skin, it's how we play the game, be it whatever game we're in.

The love of my life makes a sundae throwing together ice creams of chocolate and vanilla--butter pecan is mighty fine too-- floats the bowl with a little half/half, and sprinkles the likes of cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg on top (oh baby x did I give away the family secret?) 

While the liberal is famous for trying to acheive the perfect utopian balance and making sure every flavor has a fair shake; the conservative, just throws together a bowl with the best possible chance for success. Truth is, don't worry about following a recipe at all, what matters is what makes it a winning bowl of ice cream.

Today, let's appreciate the variety of flavors and talents we all bring to the table, and to the game, and

make it a good day, G

Dear America,

So the goal today is to stay on point.

A few days ago we started talking about race and by golly, we're gonna talk about it again today...probably tomorrow...certainly the next day...all week if that's what it takes.  And damn it we're gonna like it.

We will apply ourselves.  We will listen to our heart.  We will look around and look at people in the eye. We will observe ourselves and who we are when with a person of a different color skin.

We will meditate on it.  We will pray on it.  We will talk about it and ask for help.

It may cause frustration.  It might make us cry.  It may be nauseating and uncomfortable.   

We might even get to the root of pain, and drill baby drill until the disease is gone.

But we will never be any better if we continue to let the illness fester and grow deeper into our consciousness -- as an individual or collectively, whether we are aware of it or not -- as the negative belief system that it is.

Earnest Holmes, father of The Science of Mind, believed that thoughts were things.  That what we think about expands.  That our world is created by every thought we make; because back of every thought is a Life Force, is Creation, is Universal Law, is Spirit, is God.  WE are basically spiritual beings having a human experience, and in that experience we create by way of our actions, our choices and at the very first inclination, through our thoughts.

"Man in the little world.  God in the Great World (Universal Mind)...Things exist in the Universal Mind as ideas.  Ideas take form and become into things in the concrete or the invisible world.  Thought calls things forth from the universal into expression."

Powerful stuff.

Oh, and Earnie is supported in this philosophy totally, as recognized by the word of God,

"If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you."

"The Kingdom of God is within you."

"It is done unto you as you believe."

"Ask and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you."


And in Emerson, one of the early believers recognizing the inherent value of our thoughts -- in essence the highest form of our doing (or un-doing as the case may be) -- claiming in his first published work, Nature, there is a "radical correspondence between visible things and human thoughts."

And Shakespeare who says, "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so."

Dave Matthews, the latest celebrity to come out of the closet denigrating America's treatment of those of color, said this when asked if the animosity towards Obama is race related (to CNN correspondent Denise Quan) : 
"Of course it is...a good population of people...are terrified of the President only because he's black."

Dave, I would like to see your poll stats.  Honestly.  Really.  "a good population", what is that?  How much of the population have you asked?  Oh my gosh, why am I even bothering.  (message to Dave "keep doing what you do best, shut up and sing")

So irresponsible, Dave, so irresponsible (and stupid) but mostly irresponsible.

Oh, he is entitled to say whatever he wants-- as is the rest of us; but these all or nothing, whole or in part, exaggerations are not serving us.

And if you believe like I believe, it matters how we handle ourselves.  It matters what we say and how we say it.  And more importantly yes, good race relations matter to us, as our everyday lives depend on the community-- the entire village -- working with each other, not against.

And if what we think about, expands, and if what we think about with regards to race is only found in all the ways the white guy is out for the black guy, even if logic tells us otherwise, God help us.

I said it in my opening blog on the matter of race, some of us are having a hard time with Obama, not because of the color of his skin, but because he's a liberal! Don't you people get that?  The polls show that just over half of Americans lean just right of center, meaning we are more conservative than not.  OVER HALF!  (Did you know only 13% of Americans support a health care bill that includes abortions?)

Obama was elected President of the United States, with a fair share of the majority, because he was supposed to be all about changing Washington away from being the most corrupt, abomination of elected derelicts on the planet (that's not true, there are far worse, see the CPI index)

 We gave him our vote of confidence because he was considered the best man for the job. Period.

Sure there are those who can't stand the man out of stupidity because he's black; that happens just as frequently as a person of color harbors ill feelings towards whites, with the most recent public example of that appearing with Kanye West and ooh that white girl's got nothin on Beyonce move)

Take a look at how our opinions have changed (drastically) since January 20, 2009.

We are quickly finding reasons for all of us to be concerned the more we see the direction our country is headed is not only a total reverse of ideology and ways of implementation, but stands as an example of how the total corruption of the balance of power and We the People has only escalated; in a word, Obama is freaking us out as duly noted by Dave, its just for entirely different reasons.

I would love to have Obama succeed.  I would love to see him change race relations for the better, for good.  I would love to see him teach the value of standing up on our own two feet, getting an education, making something of ourselves, advocating self reliance and accountability, without big government intervention.  I would LOVE that.

I would love for Obama to succeed.  I would love to see him cutting back government and finally taking a stand that far too many politicians before him were afraid to do, and just say no.  I would love to see him allow for the ups and downs and ebbs and flows of a true capitalist market take its rightful place on main street to Wall Street; let some of us fall down and go boom, and in the absence of regulation, also rise up and grow a business, support our families, pay taxes and give back to those in need.  I would LOVE that.

The problem I have is I'm not seeing that in you, Mr. President.  I have a hard time just bending over and taking it anymore, too; call it really bad timing on your part, but the reality is, most of us are pretty unhappy with BIGGOV.com in places where they simply don't belong.  It could be anyone in the hot seat; but it's not just anyone, it's you.  And as hard as it may be to realize, Bushie didn't have it that great either, if you recall.

You know that CPI index, the corruption barometer, is based on perception.  Our perception is everything; becoming "aware of in one's mind; achieve understanding of; to cease wholly" becomes a matter of great importance when confronted with the emotional bondage and scars from the past.

Sometimes our perception could shed light on things that are true, while other times, it may hold us hostage to a dark cloud hanging over the possibilities of a brand new day. It is a matter of choice.  It is a matter all of us should consider changing our belief systems in order to create a more perfect world; all of us, black and white, need to make a shift in paradigm and believe that we create our world in every thought we make.

I want my daughter to grow up seeing that we are smart enough to figure this one out within her lifetime, as I had thought it had already happened in mine. 

My perception is different than Dave's, and Cosby and Jimmy's too.  Of course it would be, I'm a white girl born in 1962 and thought of myself  lucky having grown up in a time when the rights of blacks, women and children, and currently gays, have each come to the forefront of a country's agenda. 

Are we saying all issues surrounding these cultural concerns have been fully repaired, of course not. Can we prove then that our perception is everything; and individually we inherit a duty to ourselves and to our children to create, through the power of thought, a new day in order to transcend the generational genocide we are seeing played out on the CNN's of the world?  I say yes we can.

I want to see where we succeed in race relations.  I believe most of us, "a good population," want to value a man of color in the highest office of our nation, if not the free world, as an example of just how far we've come.

I grew up and only saw change; a change not good or bad, but thinking makes it so.

make it a good day, G

Dear America,

Happy Sunday.

Unusual for G to pop up on the day of rest, I know, however, I was gifted a little cartoon in my email this morning and I had to pass it on, thanks to a member of the San Diego Tea Party.

A click on Dear America should speak for itself.

A point of reference for the day, our dear President is making his rounds on all mainstream media channels (except FOX); the pusher man in the big white house is carefully using his wiles and influence, selling the seedy thought of the government knowing just what we need and telling us just where to get it, yum.

Feel free, Mr. President, feel free.

Oh no, did I compare the actions of our President to that of a dealer to a junkie?  My oh my, that wasn't my intention, this being a Sunday and all...I kindly ask of your forgiveness... But frankly my dear, 

What's happening to me?  All of a sudden I feel like I'm morphing into a southern belle.  I don't know what it is, be it the atmosphere of race relations hitting another all time low, or  my efforts of trying to refrain from using expletives to be polite, I just feel like    slowing   down    my      words    and slippin into something a little more comfortable, a little drawl, a little pecan pie or Mississippi mud...seeking the kindness of strangers... to revolt.

We're in for another tough week up ahead. 

Hopefully we can all rest up.

make it a good day, G

Dear America,

Since we seem to be committing cultural homicide these days over race, attached is a link to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, low-lighting the current trends of who's killing who.

I mean, I can't believe Bill Cosby.  Why, oh why, did he feel it necessary to jump in on supporting the race card raised by Jimmy the other day? Why?  Makes me so sad.

I love Cosby.  I grew up on the Cosby Show, love his humor and stand up, bought jello pudding because of him, and have respected nearly every effort he has personally achieved in raising awareness and community involvement on inner city issues, specifically targeting African American children.  Cosby is like the poster boy for staying in school, self reliance and attending college; a message all kids should heed and put to good use these days.

So, I can't avoid it any longer.
As if we don't have enough to worry about being buried under health care reform, we have to add the element of race; as the main stream media, left handed politicians, and maybe one of the very most beloved of entertainers, unloads the new belief system that if you can't support Obamacare you are a racist.

If you don't support backing out of the missile shield program for eastern Europe, you are a racist.
If you don't support the closing of GITMO, you are a racist.
If you don't support ACORN, you are a racist.

If you join the tea party march on Washington, you are a racist.
If you join the NRA, you are a racist.
If you join the march against abortion, you are a racist.

If you care about what your children are taught in school, you are a racist.
If you care about the first amendment and free speech, you are a racist.
If you care about radical Islam on American soil, you are a racist.

If you characterize as a witness to a crime that the offender was black (when he actually is), you are a racist.

Okay, maybe we should say something more along the lines of, well officer, he was white, with a slightly caramel, mayby brownie colored undertone?

I don't know; damned if you say anything at all anymore?  So sensitive to racial profiling and projecting animosity towards another human being, or their entire race, we are scolded for making any such keen observation, even if that real, live human being who committed such a heinous crime could in fact be color-coded of some combination, be it white, black or brown.

Interesting enough, looking at the stats from the department of justice, with regard to all homicides from 1976 through 2005, 50.9% of the victims were white, while 46.9% were black.  With regards to the offender of such a horrific crime, 45.8% were white and 52.2% were black...

and 86% of white victims were killed by whites
and 94% of black victims were killed by blacks

You don't hear about that in main stream media.

Also fascinating, in small print, the Justice Department noted that the victims of 9/11/01 are not included in any of the data under the graph showing what percentage was the homicide committed by a friend/acquaintance versus a total stranger.  Hummmm, but let's not get off track.

Bear in mind, our population of about 307 Million people, 74% are white, 13.5% are black; for the purpose of this opening conversation on race, we will ignore all the other races, as there are many, who also live with us on American soil.

The sad truth is, in 2005, homicide victimization for blacks is 6 times higher than the rates for whites, based on population.  In 2005, offending rates for blacks was more than 7 times higher than that of whites.  According to the numbers, carrying only 13% of the total population, blacks have a higher proportion of population committing the worst of crimes, homicide. 

If I were an African-American today, like a Bill Cosby, or an Oprah Winfrey, or a Barack Obama, or a Michael Steele, or a Tiger Woods, or a Collin Powell, or an owner of a company, or a member of the House, I would take a hard look at this and find out why; and help to change it!  Obama wants to be about change; I would do everything in my power to bring the level of conversation to solving this problem, not talking about all the ways we fail or how "white people" hold em back, because honestly, I don't see it.

And speaking of our House of Representatives, 435 of America's finest sit back making into law things we don't need at a price we can't afford; 332 are white, with about 76%, 42 are black, with about 10%...not that far off from percentage of population...

In our employment figures, about 102 Million of us are actually still employed (myself not included).  For those in positions of Management and Professional status, Service Industry and Sales, 76% of the white population fall under this category, while 74.5 % of the black.  Look it up.

It took Abraham Lincoln, a white guy and Republican, to change slavery.  Have we had any better politician since who has actually changed the destiny of the African-American community with such magnitude? 

How in all the years of voting for the Democrat, thank you ACORN, does this work out for the black community? 

Does living on government entitlements, white or black, get you anywhere in life?  Does having a child out of wed-lock serve your highest good and personal best in becoming a productive part of society?  How about the importance of having a father home with the family?  How about teaching the importance of staying off the streets of drugs and alcohol and gangs and prostitution?

Of the welfare rolls, 38.8% are WHITE and 37.2% BLACK. Again, based on the percentage of population, the African-American community is exponentially higher still to this day.  After all the years of supporting the Liberal, the Democrat, the party that "stands for justice for all", the party that brings "power to the people", who has lobbied for the cause of every inner city dilemma since the Civil War...this is where you are at?  Is it working for you? 

Someone who seems to be making a dent in all of this is an African-American woman, and Conservative, Star Parker.  READ HER BLOG...she hits the nail on the head most every time.

Oh but we can't look at some of these realities, and more importantly, how to solve them, without calling attention to calling it like we see it, the black community having serious issues.  Nope, that would mean we're a racist. We can't tell a President, who happens to be black (and white) how we really feel about a government take over of health care.  Nope, that would mean we are a racist.

Pelosi can say we're all a bunch of Nazi's running around with swastikas without so much as a slap of the hand from the media, but no, we're the crazy white people.  Jimmy can show his allegiance to the Palestines, slapping Isreal, nearly our only middle east ally, in the face, but no, we're the bigots.  Obama can call the actions of a white officer stupidity, but no, we're the one's with a prejudice problem.

All I know, things are bound to get worse before they get better.  But as Americans, our true nature is one that overcomes adversity, answers the call demanding compassion, and triumphs in the value of all Americans over injustice.  That is what we are made of.

Being wrongly accused is one thing, but not standing up for what is right is another.

I can't stand being labeled a racist when I know in my heart it is simply not true.

As Glenn Beck says, "stand up America and follow me;" maybe someday, if the good Lord willin', we shall overcome and be a better America for it.

make it a good day, G

Dear America,

Happy Birthday my dear Constitution!

How old are you now? 222 years.

How have you been able to keep it together all this time?
Reality is,
not well.

Although on life support, the Constitution of the United States is the shortest and oldest written constitution in the world; and even though it proceeded to take a while longer to become fully ratified, it was on this day, September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, where 39 of the 55 delegates gave birth to the Law of the Land, safely securing America's future, so we thought.

I say 'gave birth' but heavens to Jefferson don't misrepresent the true meaning of my words; don't align me with all that's going on with the modern day molestation of the Word; don't confuse me with the Hillary's, Roosevelt's or Woody Wilson's; don't think for a minute I want a part of the new age progressives movement hailing the deconstruction of our "living constitution" in order to mold her, influence her and shape into who we want her to be, at the whim of who's in charge.


On this day 222 years ago we gave birth to the very foundation of one nation under God and firmly under Law; as defined in being a REPUBLIC, not a Democracy where majority rules. A new nation embodying a foundation steadfast on principle and firm in faith; grounded in the same soil of those who died fighting for the personal freedoms we cherish today; grounded in the same soil that allowed for all citizens to worship however they wanted, or not; while in the very same breath gave the rights of the individual man to create and hold accountable a duty to himself and country over and above the rights of an overzealous government.


All was well and good for a very long time; for nearly 150 years it was unchanged, unprovoked, unscathed and understood -- understood at the very core of its construction. It was to limit government, protect citizens, and allow for the country to grow from individual responsibility, faith and self reliance in order to create a more perfect union from one generation to the next.


It was simple.

It didn't take 1000 pages -- HR3200, or even 230 pages -- as in the Baucus Health Care Bill, it was FOUR.

James Madison is noted liberally as being "the father" of our Constitution; with influences from Jefferson, Adams, the thinkers of our life and times, he carried the duty of expanding the integrity of the Articles of Confederation into what became our national law of governing under the Constitution; a daunting task, how did he do it?


And if we had to do it today, what are our chances under the mismanagement of blowhards and ego-centric idiots?

Clearly Madison was a man of deep conviction and purpose....along with such a command of the English language, be it found within the body of the Constitution itself or in conversation, the man articulated greatness in every word he chose:

"It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood."

"In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority."

"Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government."

"Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic."

"By rendering the labor of one, the property of the other, they cherish pride, luxury, and vanity on one side; on the other, vice and servility, or hatred and revolt."

"...objects of benevolence...If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an infinite one, subject to particular exceptions."

Yes, all out of the mouth of Madison.

It makes me giddy reading this sort of stuff, as this is the stuff I was made (and you were too).

Allow me to add commentary as it pertains to my last quote from Madison, as found in the Patriot Post 9/3/09:

"Today more than two-thirds of the Federal Budget is spent
on 'objects of benevolence,' for which there is no constitutional
authority. Put another way, much of your income is being confiscated and
redistributed unconstitutionally."

We have to get over ourselves people and realize what is at stake hear-ye-here in the 21st century. Our society will become all undone if we allow the very basis of our freedoms and personal liberties to dissipate under the guise of protection by a government who doesn't know better, or worse, who does.Taxation. Entitlements. Take Over of Free Enterprise and Free People. Regulation and Mandates. Modern day Slavery. Is this the way of the future? Is this what our founding fathers had in mind?

I think not.

Mark Levin writes in his book Liberty and Tyranny:

"The Conservative urges an economic environment stripped of debilitating
regulations and taxes that hinder the performance and competition of
American industry. However...the Statist's heavy hand rather than the free market's invisible hand, they are obstructed and burdened in ways that are
counter intuitive and self-defeating. Ultimately, it is an unworkable
formula, as the rest of the world is not obliged to adhere to it but rather
will look for ways to exploit it."

So here we are 222 years later with the founding fathers worse fears coming true.

So much to do, so little time.

Make it a Good Day, G

Nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37

Dear America,

OH MY GOSH.

Name calling. The Mini-Series. To begin in just a moment.

I'm going to start with making a highly charged, rash and rude response to President Jimmy Carter, "shut up".

Can we all just get along? And if we can't get along, can't we at the very least live gracefully around one another without attacking in such extremes? (I know I just attacked, using it for arguments purposes).

This is what came out of President Jimmy Carter's mouth:

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity
toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that
he's African-American...I've seen the rest of the country that shares the
South's attitude toward minority groups...that racism inclination still
exists...that (white people believe) African-Americans are not qualified to lead
this country. It's an abominable circumstance, and it grieves me..."

OH MY GOSH

Animosity? Not Qualified to lead? Hate to break it to you, Jimmy, it ain't because he's black; it's because he's a liberal, and even that we're unsure!

What century are we in? Did we not just elect, by majority I might add, THIS BLACK PRESIDENT? Have we not come to the reality where African-Americans (and women and Hispanics and Asians and Indians and Swedes and Germans and anyone with two cents between their ears) can grow into positions of leadership?

If this is truly who we are, which I believe in every way, shape, and form it is, why are we continually chasing the tail of the dog that bit us? I just don't get it.

It is a fact -- through personal coaching techniques, through seminars from self help gurus, through Sunday Sermons from Pastors and Priests -- if we accent the positive and be gracious for what we have and look to the bright side and believe the glass is half full and follow the way of finding the peace that passes all understanding WE WILL HAVE MORE ABUNDANCE AND MORE SUCCESS IN LIVING OUR DAILY LIVES. It is a fact.

We cannot climb out of America's valley of racism without acknowledging and embodying the attitudes and values that are required of us now -- in a very big way -- to rise above the generational bindings that seem to hold us back. Society will never grow up and become a better person if we keep holding onto the past, along with all the ugly details that racism brings.

While Jimmy may have had innumerable experiences, both personally and professionally, seeing racism in the south tear apart communities and families and ultimately, break the country (again) in the sixties, his words are entirely irresponsible in this day and age.

How dare he blanket the current unrest, stemming from all walks of life in America, as anything remotely close to cold, blunt racism. How dare he. And once again proves, as with the situation with Joe, we MUST be more careful with what we say, how we say it , where we say it and why.

Not that we should be in favor of censorship either. This is a free country and we should all be allowed to say whatever we want to say, right. However,

...when a past President (or a current one) breaks open old wounds through unfounded, unjustified remarks over such a touchy subject, we have to stop and think about it; we must ask ourselves if what we are about to say is going to bring about something worthy to the conversation or detrimental to the whole; do we win the battle to lose the war?

WE are a touchy bunch of people these days -- and if all of us had the opportunity to sit with a professional we would most definitely find ourselves the most insecure of a people ever in American history (okay, perhaps tied with the thirties). All of our experiences, individually and collectively, are under a high degree of stress considering the pressure we have to put food on the table and keep a happy home and plan for a future -- a future which seems so un-inviting, limiting and strained within the confines of a government that thinks more of itself than its citizens -- and in time(yesterday) will prove we can't afford in more ways than one.

We have no security because we have allowed for our basic rights and principles to be jeopardized by an untrustworthy government combined with having lost our spiritual foundation --be it whatever you want to call it, we lost it; that is the grassroots of America who are exhibiting such unrest and justifying the uprising on Obama's watch. That is the America who is shining the light on Washington today in order to wake us all up, as a people. Jimmy, with all due respect, you need to remove the colored glasses and see the truth of what is really going on here; for the Truth shall set you free.

This has nothing to do with the gorgeous caramel color of Obama's God given skin.

Hard to believe HE -- Jimmy -- ran our country with this kind of knee jerk, ignorant, over reaching and undermining reaction of this nature.

So I wanted to have fun with name calling today, only because I found myself so entertained yesterday stumbling upon some of them.

As luck would have it, I'm just not in the mood anymore.

Oh sure, it would be amusing to see that through the long, grueling, war torn and ambushed Bush years he gathered up quite a number of them so called nicknames: like Generalissmo Stupido Arbusto, All Hat No Cattle, Dictator-in-Chief, Pretzeldunce, Commander Bunny Pants, Flubya, Gee Duh, Idiot Prince, Lil' Snippy, Texas Twit, Unelected Pinhead, PinocheBush, President Weak, Lazy and Stupid, Jello W. Bush, Loose W. Cannon, Failure in Chief, West Wing Ignoramus, George the Lesser, Genghis W. Bush, Dumbya, Bush Lite, oooh and last but not least, a Liar.

Yeah, not so funny anymore. (by the way, did Jimmy speak up for treating President W with such disrespect?)

Yes, the right has their turn now, for what its worth: Obots, ObamaCare, Obamanomics, Obama Bin Ladin, Obama Bin Lyin', ObamaNation, Odrama, Obama Osama, ObaMao, Obysmal, Odumbass, Obamateur, Obambi, Obie bum kabookie, Obamanable, BO, Obamanocchio, Obamniacs, the Wizard of Uhhhs, Chicago-thug-in-Chief, the One, the Chosen One, the Obamamessiah...

Upon the good Lord willin' light of day, it's just not that funny.

Looking back to last Wednesday's Congressional address, and in being perfectly politically incorrect here, I have to add one more thought. As wrong as it was, Wilson didn't actually call Obama a "Liar". He said "you lie", as in calling him on his actions. He was not in actuality making a personal attack on Obama himself, it was an attack on the action of not being completely truthful to the American people.

As wrong as it was in that setting, I equate it to this -- it's just like how we tell our kids that we didn't approve of something that they did... but we love them unconditionally anyway. It is by way of not berating the person sitting in front of us and only attacking what disappoints. As wrong as it was in that setting, it was the action of telling a lie that proved worthy of attack, by Joe. As wrong as it was in that setting, there were consequences. (spending an entire congressional day writing a scathing rebuking of Joe' s behavior, instead of working on, oh I don't know, the health care issues, the need for more troops in Afghanistan, the national debt or budget deficits...to name a few)

What is a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?

Henry David Thoreau

Name calling can be funny, and name calling can be harmful.

Making generalized statements of either race, politics or religion can be spoken from the heart or stab us in the back.

I just want you to know, that from this day forward I will make a conscientious and sincere effort to speak from my heart to you, to my family, to my neighbor, to the grocer, to the garbage man.

Make it a Good Day, G

The human race's prospects of survival were
considerably better when we were defenceless against tigers than they are today
when we have become defenceless against ourselves.

Arnold J. Toynbee