Are Blacks NOT Supporting Obama Because He IS Black?

I must admit, I am excited at the prospect of having a black president. Polls show that Sen. Obama has picked up significant momentum since his surprising win in Iowa. So much so that polls in New Hampshire leading into the primary tomorrow show Obama leading Sen. Clinton and John Edwards by double digits. This gives me a bit of hope as I think I’ve secretly rooted for Obama, yet publicly denied my inward choice I think more in fear that people would assume I was supporting Obama because he was black. It cause me to question if I was indeed supporting him simply on the color of his skin

I will admit first hand that I am a black nationalist. I believe that we should be an empowered, viable involved block of American change creators. In addition, I believe we should have industries which we dominate, have a strong sense of cultural identity, and a genuine interest in provided support and empowerment to people of color around the world. So when a viable African-American candidate appeared, my interest was sincerely piqued.

I found myself withholding my support for the freshman senator from Illinois until I knew more about his political standings. In the grand scheme of things if you are bold enough to involve yourself in the political process your decision of support is a gamble at best, so I at least like to make an educated guess. I know in the grand state of TX, thanks to the Electoral College my vote will fall by the wayside with the other democratic votes in the state, but alas, I will rant about the Electoral College at another time.

So many potential African-American voters feel entirely disenfranchised by the system that they simply refuse to participate in the process. I am a bit of a skeptic as well, but feel it disrespectful to my ancestors to not at least try to participate in the political system in which they valued to the point of their lives. At the same time I am not naïve enough not to notice that special interest groups, million dollar lobbyist and corporate money really make the decision in this country. Oftentimes though, the best attack comes from within. (When's the last time you had the flu?)

All those factors brings me to the current environment in which Barack now runs in regards to the people who would seem most likely to support his candidacy. There is a sect of people who just don’t like politics, they won’t be involved, period. There are the bandwagoneers who will gladly throw every ounce of support they have at Barack once it looks like he REALLY has a chance at winning. There are also those who are like me, who were hesitant or are still hesitant to support Barack simply because it will be assumed they are supporting him because he’s black. To those I’d say, investigate him as a person, review his platform and get to know him for how he presents himself (as well as how consistently that image is portrayed). Compare him with the other candidates. Once your curiosity is fulfilled, if you truly believe with the evidence you’ve reviewed that he can handle the job, support him. Release yourself from the appearances of bias. When you walk behind the curtain ,it’s only you, the booth (and Diebold. Again, that’s a subject for another day.)

The Problem With Monster and Careerbuilder

I am pift... yes, pift. I've recently been shopping my resume around as I am bored in my current position and want something a little more exciting. So I've created a profile on both Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com. It has been my recent experience that these web sites open you up to some questionable employment opportunities. Since when is multi-level marketing a position. I just clicked a link with no header on the page requesting my cell number and what provider I use. Why is that important on a job application. I think I benefit from my natural disposition of distrust and paranoia, so I don't fall for these "opportunities". But I am sure there are a number of people out there who are giving their personal information away to these less than reputable businesses. I know there is no way for the powers that be at these companies to screen every person who wants to give them money to post jobs, but this is ridiculous. Has anyone else had this experience. I think I want the newspaper back.

The Mayor that Can't Go To City Hall

Seems to me, if a person is found or plead guilty for exposing themselves to a child, they should no longer be allowed to be in office. But of course, there are loopholes, and Mayor Lino Donato of the small south Texas town of Poteet has squiggled his way through one. He recently plead guilty to two counts of indecency and one count of improper touch, but some judge thought it would be okay for him to get deferred adjudication (which allows him to keep his job as mayor), but he is now a registered sex offender. Under those provisions he cannot be within 200 feet of a location in which children congregate. Well within 200 feet of city hall is a Youth center (I wonder if children hang there... hmmm.) so, Mr. Mayor can't go to work lest he violates the terms of his plea deal, and will have to go to jail for his crimes.

No city law is there for him to be ousted, the only option is for him to resign, but here is the truly ironic point. He refuses to resign because he says he is not guilty. (Why did he plea guilty then? There's something he didn't want to get out) So... he gets paid, and doesn't have to show up for work. I feel for the people of Poteet. There should be something in place to allow the citizens to remove such a criminal from office.

To read the whole story, see here --> http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/5322503.html

Malice on MySpace Takes a Tragic Turn

A Myspace hoax took a tragic turn and ended with a thirteen year old taking her own life. A standard school yard girl fight became a mother's opportunity to vindicate her child by posing as a 16 year old boy interested in an awkward thirteen year old girl and telling her "the world would be better without her in it."

Thirteen year old Megan Meier thought someone had an interest in her. She was lured into this online affair by an adult, her former friend's mother and then after cultivating this relationship for some time, the boy she had grown so fond of her began to turn on her and post mean things about her online. In reaction to that betrayal, which is larger than life for someone that age, she took her own life. The response from the mother who initiated this chain of tragic events, "no remorse" cause she believes it is not her fault.

I have to wonder how could an adult do this? More than that, I believe what she did is akin to any adult who attacks a child, via the internet or otherwise. She's in the same category as pedophiles the way I see it. Anytime an adult uses their advantage (years, life experience, cunning, etc..) to overcome and manipulate a child, it is criminal. PERIOD.

See the entire story as reported by MSNBC here -->http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21882976/page/3/

The Lost Art of Compassion

The internet is wonderful for various reasons. It can help you find the five people on EARTH who would like your orange and green "heirloom" lamp from the 70's and allow you to sell it to the highest bidder on EBAY. It also can help you find that cute guy/girl from 3rd Period at Pick a President High School whom you used to make special eyes at, and allow you to actually find out who's life turned out better (or worse, or in prison!). So of course with anything so beautiful and positive (that allows me to toss random musings into the blogosphere) there is an unseemly underbelly, an unwanted element that hawks the steps of the sane.



In the coverage and ensuing media shower that occured after the unfortunate passing of Donda West, mother of hip-hop superstar Kanye West, some of the comments that were posted on various media boards (which now, every online outlet has that "post comment" option)made me question my staunch devotion to Voltaire's assertion that "I may not agree with a word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it."



Do we really believe its okay to be down right evil to people at the time of their mother's passing? Does being in the public eye just remove your right to receiving compassion? Maybe I expect to much.

Why Jesse Why?

We all want our piece of the pie. The WGA is in an uproar because of the multi-million dollar revenue streams being cultivated by networks using their material. To which I say go writers! T.V. is an endangered species, at least in its current form. It is money savvy to go ahead and iron out the details (give me my money!) now.

With all that being said, and with no malice or disrespect aimed at the WGA, I wonder to myself... What is Jesse doing there? I mean really, let's look at the hard facts. There aren't many people of color (yea, I am talking about black people) that work behind or in front of the camera. And I am talking as a whole, I am not talking about the requisite token black in a sit-com, I'm talking real numbers. And PLEASE don't even MENTION BET to me.. EVER! Is this what the Rainbow Coalition works for. Is he involved in labor disputes with auto industry. Pilots union? Did I miss that? Somebody tell me.

One thing I don't mind being is wrong. So if I am out of order in my Jesse critique, (I am sure this won't be the last time) please correct me. Besides, I'm still salty from that whole Free at Last staging after the release of the soldiers during operation Iraqi Occupation, Part I.

For More Info check out

http://www.rainbowpush.org

http://www.wga.org

The Mortgage Crisis

I wish I knew how to help people who were facing foreclosue... I'd be making a KILLING right now. Does that make you vulturous (my word!) or is that just a smart business decision?

Who knows? Do you?