If they say that it’s for terrorism, then it's ok- that is how we live today...

If they say that it’s for terrorism, then it's ok- that is how we live today. It is a shame to see a company like Verizon forced to hand over tons of data. What happened to Big Business sticking it to the Government? Like not paying taxes, hiring illegals- and shipping jobs overseas?

 Yeah, fuck you America- (in my Big Business voice).

Nope- they did a 360 degree turn on this one. According to Obama back in 2007, our civil liberties were the most important thing on his agenda. I am against these sorts of actions happening in our country for several reasons.

One, I believe in the people, but I do not think that a majority of people are informed enough to understand how important all this information is and what can be done with it.

And secondly, I do not trust our government.  They have a history of abusing power.   

Maybe we should all have thought about it before we accepted the internet into our homes- nothing but a military technology packaged up for civilians.

I’m not against all this because I have “something to hide”- But rather, because this is the opposite of freedom.  People are in an uproar over keeping their guns and repealing health care- but why the fuck aren’t they screaming to get rid of the PATRIOT ACT.

Why is collecting data so important for our government? Because the government can use this data to do a lot of things they shouldn’t do.  For example, they can gather information to identify and track certain groups of individuals that might share the same belief.  Maybe…. Track their location using GPS data, and their calls, and where they gather.  Doesn’t sound too bad if you are thinking “terrorist”, right?  But replace “terrorist” with something else- anything.  Replace it with “Civil rights activist” or “Jew” or “Someone who doesn’t think like us”.  Scary?

This is too much.  That is way too much information for the government to have on its citizens. The common position “I am doing nothing wrong, so who cares if they track me” is nothing more than apathy and ignorance.

I have seen what happens to organizations that stand out and really try to make change-  they get roadblocked. I have seen what happens to individuals like Martin Luther King, and JFK.  Assonated- for their beliefs, their thoughts, and letting people know there is a choice.

We have a choice- here right now. The next few years will be a huge turning point in our lives. Data will become an even bigger business than it is already is and more laws are going to be created to protect and use that data in anyway a company or government sees fit.  

While we sit on these digital soapboxes and share our lives with the world, we are being watched.

I know there are some of you that believe that there will be some revolution- sorry to be real with you- it isn’t coming. WE the People could not overthrow our Government.  

What did our government do with the data that they collected when Russia rang the phone about the Boston Bomber? They dropped the ball- they did not react and allowed a suspected terrorist to conduct a terrorist act.

I understand that we have to sacrifice some of our privacy- things that are not really private. Like when I am walking down the street in front of cameras- attending a sports event- or even shopping at the mall. They can watch me.

But collecting all of this data and storing it “just in case” is not a good reason to take away our rights. To some, this is something that should be done in the name of safety.

But what if freedom of expression became something that was connected to terrorism.  It’s happening all over the world.  Is that acceptable? What if every child was forced to wear a name tag that had a GPS in it? Is that acceptable?

My point is simple- get informed and stay informed. Of course America is safer. But I do not think that it is because personal data has been collected and stored.

And while I am writing this, we just got word that the Government is now tapping into 9 Internet companies. Microsoft, PalTalk, YouTube, AOL, Yahoo, Google, Apple, Skype, and Facebook.  They are providing video, text, audio- pretty much anything you do on your computer.  So now the NSA is all in our shit-

Yeah they know how many guns that you have if you took a picture and placed it online- that little teeny bopper site that you are following- now they have placed you in a category with other people engaging in the same behavior.

There is no reason for these types of actions. I was told once by someone that we were close to tyranny- shit, I think I am staring at it directly in the eyes…

Don’t Stay in the Kitchen

Have you heard these clowns running around talking about the destruction of marriage and the natural selection cycle of the human race on the decline? (http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/05/watch-fox-news-panic-over-female-breadwinners.html)

Simply because some women are forced to be breadwinners due to the absence of a male in the home, and others have chosen to have a career that offers them excellent wages.

Of course, the economic situation in our country has changed the landscape of the workforce. Factories have shut down; construction jobs crept to a halt- and let’s face it, a lot of men do not have the skill sets that are sought after in this current economy.

We all know the way that Fox spun the issue with their news reporting style. They turned the story into the Armageddon of Man. Sort of how Eve is always to blame for the world that we live in. If she would have never eaten that forbidden fruit- Eve put that iPhone down!  Serve me woman!

Since a majority of the population has decided not to take statistics but instead enroll in ballroom dancing, it is easy to see why this story has caused so much controversy. FEAR- if the black unemployment rate was lower I am sure that Obama would have another scandal on his hands.  

There is nothing wrong with a woman being the breadwinner. Just because a woman is making more than a man does not suggest that marriage is under attack. Maybe it suggests that women have adapted to the society they live in and have gained the necessary skills to survive instead of being on Welfare. Maybe we should applaud these women instead of vilifying them.  

Just because a women is making more than her husband should not mean that their son is going to be bound to life in the kitchen watching Sports Center, or How to survive in the wild with a toothpick.

This subject cannot and should not be talked about by people that do not have any experience with the issue. The stats are misleading. It needs to be broken down by several other factors as well. For example how many of these households are educated, how many decided that this was right for them, and finally how many mothers have no other options.

I personally am a part of this new phenomenon (or destruction of so-called marriage). My wife is a business professional. We have two children and have decided that the best way for them to be raised is with one parent at home.

The deciding factor on who was going to stay home, was based on who had the lowest salary.  I am not ashamed to say that I was defeated in this little challenge.  I could have taken a job at the local 7-11 and been forced to work multiple jobs in order to put a roof over our children’s head ten years ago- but WE decided differently.

Did my manhood simply vanish? Nope. I have a beard, I still pee standing up, and I even knocked out a few degrees while I had the time. Our son enjoys so-called “manly” activities- you know- shooting avatars with military style weaponry and farting then evacuating the room. Our daughter wears pink, understands that women can achieve anything they want in life, and is not simply forced to remain barefoot in the kitchen.

Look, numbers are just that- numbers, but they do not talk, they do not explain every single detail. Numbers are often so skewed in the direction of those in control that their intended audience does not even check the facts but regurgitates the same insane rhetorical hysterical fairytale gibberish. Tow the party line is what they must say in their morning meetings.

If they were really concerned about marriage, then they would have allowed the man to stay in subsidized housing with their families. Instead men were not allowed to stay with their children and family.  If our society really cared about marriage then we would not allow for men to get locked away on silly drug possession charges and denied financial aid to attend college.

If we really want to examine the breakdown of family and marriage we should not be looking at employment statistics only, but education and social issues as well. With a 50% divorce rate- marriage has been under attack for years.    

You want to know what helps the community in situations like these- It’s when men spend time in the community.  Men like me, who have taken this opportunity to spend time at my children’s school. The field trips that I have attended, the Site Council meetings, and the Superintendent / Parents Board, these things help the community.

I have seen so many fathers picking up their children from school, helping them with their homework, and even at the playground with their children during the day.  No longer do they have to wear that shirt with the fake baby in a pouch, now they have a baby in a pouch. 

Marriage and the male role in our society are not being destroyed- they are changing. Of course most men would be scared of this. Men ran everything for a while and look what the hell we turned into. We turned into a society that is so hyped up on violence that video games are nothing but recruiting tools for the military.

Look, without women our silly asses would not be here, history has skewed the role of women so bad that they still have to fight for justice and equality. And now that women have started to shatter that glass ceiling- ditching baking bread in the kitchen for earning bread in the workplace- men are threatened. 

Grab the Stagecoach and Hit the Road

Anytime California representatives suggest a new law addressing gun control, I always hear a handful of California residents proclaiming they are going to pack up and move to Texas.  Many point to the fact that Texas has fewer regulations than California. This may be true- but then I point to reasons for regulations- like the plant that blew up in West Texas, and destroyed a neighborhood, killing several people.  I also point to the fact that they are using money from the Obama Administration to rebuild… and repair their roads.

As a Californian that lived in Texas, I lived it. I lived the isolation of another perspective. I faced racism on a regular basis.  One day, I was standing outside watering my grass and a female neighbor said “Hi Negro neighbor”, in a half- joking, half-serious tone. Now, don’t get me wrong- this is not all of Texas, but this is my experience.

There were days when I was stuck driving behind a pick-up truck covered in “I hate Obama” stickers and a Confederate flag waving in the air.  Yes, this new law to some can be considered a removal of rights. Why should you have to subject yourself to a background check to get bullets?

Well, if you have nothing to hide, then you should have nothing to worry about, correct? Never mind that the Government has just made it mandatory for Google to hand over your data- including the search for how many bullets it will take to kill a deer and religious quotes to be plastered on a Facebook wall directly from the Bible Belt.

A background check for a gun and a background check for bullets is nothing that the law abiding citizen should be afraid of. If you are using the gun to go hunting- killing animals that you fed- or for the intruder that happens to be lurking around every corner, than you are fine.

Shouldn't there be one more layer of protection for our children? I know that those who are worried about this background check live in a bubble. A bubble of Faux News, Rushmouth commentary, and the Sarah Palin Pit-bull and lip stick speech. I wonder if she had any other quotes but couldn't fit them on her hand.

There is a lot to love about Texas. I loved the thunderstorms, the cheap homes, and the spirit of the average Texan. I loved watching the Cowboys and their owner, Jerry Jones build that masterpiece of a Stadium. I even love the slogan “Don’t Mess with Texas”, but… that was started due to the high amount of liter that is often left on the road.

I loved Friday Night Football, even with the Natural Gas oil rig spewing toxic fumes in the air and underground the stadium… and our homes.

And of course, California is not perfect. Houses are expensive, gas is high, and by only speaking one language- I am the minority- and I’m not white. But I do live in the countryside of California. I get to see horses and cows run free, smell the farmland in the summer, and see the seasons change. I hate the traffic and I hate the disparity between the advantaged and disadvantaged. No place is perfect. Not Texas. Not California. Not even the United States.

But we have to understand the point that I have stated may times. We are so fucking divided by religion, economics, race, and political affiliation that we cannot see through the rhetoric. We often say that Freedom is not “free”- as the soldiers return in caskets. But then take away freedoms in every state.

I did find that it was rather odd that Texas had its own Pledge of Allegiance. Personally I believe that this increases the division of that State from other states. But that is fine. You can enjoy the intellectual properties that come from California- and enjoy the natural gas that may be linked to disease and deaths of citizens across the country.

California regulates to save lives- Texas deregulates to make money. California is strapped because of mismanagement and the programs that often help the disadvantaged and maybe offer them an opportunity to climb to middle class status.

Look, if you live in California and hate the laws then move. Climb in your futuristic stage coach with your loaded guns and head east. There is no place like Texas, like there is no place like California. A matter a fact there is no place as we know, like Earth- so enjoy where the fuck we are. Just remember what they say- the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence.

I like many of the laws in California- I like the diversity in culture. I love the weather, I love the ocean, and I like not being pulled over by a cop and being asked if I am driving my car and where the fuck I work- Maybe my skin tone played a role in my experience. It is kind of hard to not take a racist joke off the lips of a redneck personal without wanting to shove my Nike Airs up his ass.

We should all be Americans, instead of individuals that are restricted by invisible state lines. 

Divided America

Now that the election is over, I think that we should all take a deep breath and realize what we learned. America is divided. America is changing. And there are some that are behind the eight ball, and others that have learned to adapt.

The one thing that I love about America is that we have a voice. I have learned that I have to be tolerant to the opposition. Of course all of our views cannot and should not be the same. We were all raised differently, different economic backgrounds, different religions, and different educations.

These differences naturally create a divisive environment. But what I cannot stand is those that want to hate on the majority. The majority voted, the majority did their job. In some states they stood in line for hours, mailed in ballots, and even in the East Coast- they emailed them.

I will not call America a racist country.  Last night our country was reduced to a coloring book. There were only two colors to pick from (not really), but red or blue must have been the easiest to grab. I have lived in a mostly red state; I would have to admit that I did enjoy it. There are some good people in Arizona, and Texas. Homes are cheap, job opportunities are not really dependent on education and the average person can get by with little effort.

Well red states, that is not the case for our friends that grabbed the blue crayon yesterday. Homes are often unattainable, several generations have to live together, and there are no mobile homes, Wal-Mart, Dollar Stores, or NASCAR tracks within a 20 minute drive.

There is nothing wrong with using a red crayon. I do think that a majority of the country could actually use it economically. But when you enter the social aspect of life that is when the blue crayon starts to dominate. Of course some of us like to color outside the lines. It is kind of fun to be different. It is like the kid that sneaks a piece of play dough in his/her mouth and can’t stop eating. Tolerance becomes something that feels good, tastes good, something that should simply be done.

But why are we so divided? I think it is because we often forget what we have. I know there are a lot of people with the red crayon that just hate big brother. I hate big brother too, with his little drones flying over my head, his airport porn screens, and those darn pesky license, and extra tax fees that he hits me with, when I am cornered in the hallway waiting in line to get bullied like my other classmates.

But I know that those kids would drop the red crayon when there is a natural disaster and the FEMA ice cream truck shows up. I am sure they are not going to throw their crayons at him and tell him to leave. But rather sit in line patiently and wait for their snacks and try to rebuild their shacks, and continue shooting anything that is allowed by permit.  

I think the blue kids get it. They understand it to an extent. I do not want to give them too much extra credit, but I have to give them some. It is not the red kids economic policies that they disagree with, it is their social policies. And in this world our friends often mean more to us than anything else.

I was raised with a bunch of blue kids.  I have a bunch of friends that are gay. I am glad to see that they can get married in some states and enjoy the same freedoms as I have. I understand that all schools are not the same and that all communities are not gated and safe, and finally it is not an equal world that we live in.

Yes, we have to balance our budget, we have to stop blowing up the kids with no crayons, and we have to rebuild our own roads and bridges. But we have to understand that this country is changing. I do not know if it is because the blue and red kids are not allowed to play with each other, have not taken any vacations besides Disneyland, or if it is just hard to get info inside bubbles.

I will continue to color outside the lines. I am sure that Romney is a great guy. I mean did you see all the kids those two produced, I thought he was the black guy last night. But he lost. The blue guy is not going to take your guns, he is not going to stop killing your favorite people the sand- kids with drones, and he is not going to starve the poor people to death.

But that is what our country is all about- the majority. It is not about the kids that can yell the loudest, scream the most racist bigoted slurs, created the cutest graphics in Photoshop, or find another way to put Big Bird in a post. But a country that is changing and using votes to start a revolution, instead of a musket.

Black Visibility is not Black Power

I thought that I would never see an African American President, or rather, a half African American President- unless I support the notion that one drop of black blood makes and individual black. (I would have to disagree with that old law even though there are many that still believe that way.)  But our culture is connected to more than our race, and even though there are more black people visible in all areas of our lives- politics, entertainment, sports, and the field of academia- the problems of the black community are often swept under the welcome rug and become nothing more than talking points.

Even stories of victories in the African American community are not celebrated like those in other communities. These stories do not get the same attention and still have to battle for the limelight against stories of celebrity divorces and shopping sprees of the rich. 

Did I fall victim to the deception that black visibility is black power? Of course I did. Who could not fall victim to such a theory. Many of us have fell victim to this theory, and it is easy to understand how and why. We have faith in our country; some of us believe in our country more than others. But the individuals that research and investigate the actions and laws of this country understand who has the power.

So, after all of the cheers and happiness that was expressed after the election of the first African American President, the theory of black visibility vs. black power had the opportunity to be readdressed.  Just because there is a black president, does not mean there is an automatic connection between that president and the black community.

When I speak with my friends, we often believe that the issue of racism has only increased. The pride of having an African American President simply vanished for some. I still have pride and hope however, because I understand that the steps needed to fix some of the social injustices and racism that has plagued our country will take another 200 years or so be realized. President Obama’s victory was a small victory in the struggle for all minorities.

The ultimate power has been in the hands of the establishment, not the president. Even though the establishment has many individuals, many of them have succumbed to the idea that their personal interests outweigh those of the people that elected them.   

These individuals include artists, politicians, athletes, and many others. I believe that President Obama has a responsibility to the African American community. His appearance was nothing more than a tool to trick us into supporting him. Just because he can bounce a basketball, and is probably better at it than me, does not mean that he understands the struggle of African Americans.

Let us look at his actions. He is a very smart and wise man, he has passed a few laws that could be seen as keeping us African Americans at bay. For example when he lowered the penalty for those that are guilty of selling crack compared to the penalties of selling cocaine. This is great- and he should be applauded. But let us look at another focus of his energy- where he is choosing to visit.  I have seen him in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and many other affluent neighborhoods, but I have not seen him in the Bay View, or Compton.

But when I walk through some very economically depressed African American communities, I see the people wearing his t-shirt, or pasting his poster on the wall. But the sadness is still on their faces, and the violence still consumes their community. Why? Because that is what the system needs to keep control of the society and that is what the system wants. They want a society that allows for the rich to remain rich, the middle class to support both the poor and the rich, and the poor to remain a tool for division.

While I hold dear my conservative values, there is no need to continue to be ignorant and believe that one man of color can change a community. Or that one man of color has destroyed the country that I believed in. The responsibility remains in the hands of the people.

We the people, even though my race was only considered ¾ of a man, and did not start off with the same opportunities as the citizens around me. When individuals use the Bible and the Constitution as tools to define them, to develop their political and ethical positions, they are already flawed. They are flawed because those specific documents are flawed.  They are flawed because they were created by men, men that are flawed by nature.

These two pieces of literature are often used to define all reasoning, but they were not built for me, ¾ of a man. Even though now I can live a life that others could only dream about hundreds of years ago, I have a responsibility to inform and educate my generation and those that are willing to accept that a change is needed. No longer can I depend on the black face and the deception of black visibility as change. But nothing more than false hopes that were destroyed by the powers that be, to keep their knee on the throat of those that do not stand a chance.

So before we make a decision on who we want in office, step aside and remember that black visibility is not black power.  It will not erase the suffering.  We have to evaluate the destruction that corporate America has placed on the poor communities both white and black.

Do not let us vote because of what our minsters believe, or what our parents have forced fed us to believe, but rather vote in a way that will allow for opportunity for all- no matter whom they love, or who they want to spend the rest of their lives with. To deny others freedom is simply being a tyrant. One person’s happiness should not be blocked because of a few ignorant individuals. But also, it is important to understand that for the black community, black visibility is not power.  If those in power continue to only support others that share the same rhetoric, there will never be true equality.

Privilege from the Right?

Is voting a right or a privilege?  Well, according to Alice Stewart, a Republican Strategist, it is a privilege. Really Alice, so I guess we are in Wonderland right now sipping on sweet tea plotting to stop citizens from voting.

As many of you know, I lived in Texas for several years and I love the state. But when a gun permit can be used to vote and not a student identification card, we have to scream out institutional racism strikes again. According to the numbers, they say that there are 1.4 million people that may not be able to vote in the upcoming election.

This next election is one that is critical to our country. No matter what your stand or party, this next election will show us several things. The first thing it will show is where we stand on race. Have we really overcome our racial barriers and are we moving forward. To be brutally honest, the president is nothing more than a puppet that is controlled by the corporations, and others that we do not know.

But if Obama loses this election I would have to say that it is a victory for those racist in the south, that still do not think that Obama is an American citizen. While his competitor can develop a health plan that is similar to the one that our current president has developed with the help of the health care industry, to the conservatives this is there guy.

How is voting connected to this election? Well if there are 1.4 million people that are not allowed to vote in Texas, then the popular election will be effected, which is a driving force of the Electoral College.  Then we can really be looking at our first one term African American President, and I am sure that we may never see a minority in this position again in my lifetime. 

Now, who are these 1.4 million people that will not be able to vote? Well l I guess they are the only 1.4 million people in Texas that do not own a gun. Of course we know who they are. They are the voiceless citizens of our country. The citizens that are punished for being poor, old, ignorant, and often the laws that are created do not help their position, but rather reinforce their demise of poverty.

Many people that are in poverty vote for the Republicans and their conservative views even though these laws harm them. Why? Because they are tricked, like many citizens of our country, to believe that the Republican Party is the establishment for white people like the Democratic Party is the establishment for minorities and poor and hippie white folk.  

But the strangest part about what is being played out in Texas is that in Texas an illegal immigrant can obtain a driving license as long as they have proof of insurance. That is correct- an illegal immigrant can obtain a license and then vote? I hope not, because if that is the case then wouldn't that be voter fraud?

Voter fraud is hilarious because shortly after America has experienced their first African American President, the conservatives started looking for any way to stop him from gaining a second term. What happened to the argument that they had to support Bush and his second term? Their classic excuse that in a time of war it would be dangerous to change presidents. Last time I checked we were still in a war.

Voting is not a privilege; it is a “RIGHT”. It is sad that illegals get laws passed that will help them in Texas, but American citizens often get shafted. To deny college identification but accepted gun permits to vote is a joke.

They say they will not turn anyone away from voting if you return with your identification within six days. For some people this is another hassle within itself. These individuals may need to find another ride to fix the problem. After their vote is cast it will simply not count because they will feel frustrated and not return.  

All legal citizens of our country should have the right to vote. It is not a privilege, but a right that was granted to all. Those in power always figure a way to hold down the poor. Even by not allowing a person that has done there time and has a felony to vote is a part of the scam to silent poor white and black people of our society. Voter fraud is the biggest scam that the conservatives can come up with this election cycle to stack the cards in their favor.

How can we live in a country that sends people off to die, only to return in a casket draped with a flag for freedom, but at the same time deny citizens their right to vote?   

Drones

Not only do I hate drones when I am playing Modern Warfare, but to imagine the police department, border patrol, and any other government agency using these things is upsetting. I can image little red dots surrounding us while we are attending a public event.  We are living in the age of digital espionage.

 Our government just said that they hacked into terrorist websites and did some rearranging of things. But many Americans have no clue that terrorist have the capability of hijacking these little toys and gather intelligence.

Would the founding fathers believe that this was acceptable? I would not. Of course there is the ideology that if you are not doing anything wrong that you do not have anything to hide. Yes I understand that, but when do we draw the line? When do we have a say in anything that goes on in our country?

Because a little drone flying over my head is an invasion of privacy. I am sure that if the terrorists could hack these little things, a 12 year old could do the same. It is rather sad that our society has turned into one that is so worried about who won America Idol that they have no clue on what is really going on.

Freedom is gone, vanishing, while our men and women that have vowed to serve and protect, toss their medals back. Veterans struggle to find employment, the media is in bed with the government, and big business can do whatever it wants.

This is not a conspiracy, this is reality. The government reads our tweets, Facebook posts, emails, and can even see what movies or books we are reading. This is not freedom, this is the opposite of freedom. This is control by law. Our current president has killed more people with drones, and created so many laws against his own citizens.

A Digital Police State is what we live in today. This information is not used just to sell products and services, but rather to have control over the people. While most of the country has engaged in the witch hunt because of Obama-care, the real issues should be our civil rights, and freedoms. They are gone.

Of course some may say that this is the price that we must pay for being a part of the digital age, but packet sniffing, reading emails, and developing viruses, is something that should not be allowed on the general public. Has any of this stopped the children of our country from getting kidnapped?  Has any of this information stopped a robbery or carjacking?  Of course not.

It is not us that they want to protect, but rather themselves and their goals. But a drone flying over our own skies is ridiculous, and unacceptable.  In Texas they plan to arm these drones, with tear gas, and rubber bullets. Oh great, this is wonderful.

This is how they play us. First they let us fly one in a video game, and then they want to introduce it to the public. Is the government really at war with its own citizens? And what is going to happen when one of these drones is hacked? Is the government going to deny responsibility for the lives lost?

See my argument or concern is simple, I post what I want on Facebook because I know that this is being viewed. I blog want I want because I know the laws and what is appropriate under the freedom of speech, but when I am being under surveillance while I might be eating with my family in my own home we have some serious issues.

We need to understand that fear is how we are being controlled, we are slowly losing any concept of freedom, and they are watching everything we do. And I mean everything- connected or not. Look above you- that little dot might be watching all your moves. How about they use these drones to deliver some food or water to the homeless people, or better yet keep them in the military…, or is this a war on American citizens and our freedom? 

Really Mitt, Really...

            With the Presidential election in full swing things are going to get interesting. Numbers are going to be twisted and turned, dogs will be eaten, and transported around the country on top of cars, and the 99% and Tea Party will clash at Starbucks.

            As I woke up this morning I was faced with the most hypocritical dude in the world. The Harvard MBA Graduate said that he was responsible for the return of the American Auto Industry.

Really, Mitt, and you also killed Osama Bin Laden. You jumped out the helicopter and placed the perfect shot to the head, which eliminated the bogie monster.

            Mitt, the American people have done more to repair the American Auto Industry then we get credit for. I see more American made automobiles on the road than ever before. I personally bought a new American made car, I have also bought American made aftermarket parts. These are all ways that I have personally played a role in the America Auto industry.

            The engineers, the workers, and the general public have an understanding of why it is important to buy an American car. Even Obama has played a role by increase gas mileage, therefore making them more competitive with foreign cars. Ford has plans to release their new generation of Mustangs on a global scale.

            This is the problem with a guy that when to Harvard and has a MBA, you are too smart for your own britches and believe that others not in your Alum have no clue. That is not the case.

            Did you forget there is a thing called the internet, and that your statements are cataloged and ready to be used against you before your complete your sentence?

 Mitt let me keep it real with you, shut the fuck up. Every time you talk, you do nothing but shove your foot down your mouth even further.

 Soon you will be on display at the wax museum for being the most flip-flop candidate ever. You standing next to a Cadillac with a pair of green flip-flops, I will commission it myself.

            And the sad part is there are a bunch of people that are standing behind you and supporting you. It is not because of your values, or your connection with the public. Obama is not even connected to the people, with his million dollar book deals, and plush childhood in Hawaii.  But rather the conservative party has one goal to overthrow the black guy, who is not really black at all.

            Mitt you said that we “should let Detroit go bankrupt”.  Let us read that slowly. LET DETROIT GO BANKRUPT. The conservatives can spin it anyway that they want to, but the fact remains that Obamas plan worked.

            President Bush was the one that allowed the first bailout, but I guess your forget that most of these bailouts were started by Bush and then they had to be continued by Obama. No matter what the plan worked.

            So Mitt please do us all a little favor. Tell us how you are going to do to fix our current problems. “Looking backwards won’t solve the problems of today” straight from your mouth. So why do we teach history in our schools? I would have to disagree. History teaches us that we can overcome obstacles such as civil rights, interracial marriage, and even has allowed women to have a greater voice in society.

            This is the issue with some conservative, they would rather have us go back to the days of slaves picking cotton, and women at home taking care of children.  

            Tell us your bold vision for the future. Is it to fire all of those in Government that are doing nothing? Is it to give an education bailout, to those that have worked hard for their degrees? Is it to stop fighting a war that sole purpose is to expand the empire?

            Come with a plan and take a history class, because you will learn the deregulation is the reason that we are here. Oh yeah and how is that elevator working for you?

"Now, Say You're Sorry!"

With the recent burnings of the Qurans in Afghanistan, the Republicans have a point. Obama should not have to apologize for those actions because it never should have happened. There should be a protocol in place to deal with these issues. No matter what religion an individual is, their holy manuscript should never be destroyed; and if that happens there should be an apology from the individuals that took part in the burning and they should be relieved of their duties.

But this is nothing new when evaluating the morals of America. Americans have a stereotype of acting like they are better than everyone else and shouldn’t have to apologize for anything. I feel this stereotype is fairly accurate.  But this is rather odd. We always tell our children to “say sorry”. When your son or daughter whacks their sibling, we demand an apology, even when we know the child meant their malicious violent attack, and usually is not sorry at all. Even the child knows this with their quick preemptive sob. The tears shed within a millisecond and now you are burdened with two crying children.

Sorry, or an apology, is the first verbal defensive mechanism I believe we learn. For example when you are on the highway and stuck behind a Prius, you think to yourself “wow, I am sorry they bought that car”. So for the Republican candidates raging about the issues- I hope they know that we are smarter than that. Notice how I called them Republican candidates and not conservatives. These clowns do not have a clue.

As a society we have to learn to take accountability for our actions. I am tired of hearing horror stories about the citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq. These citizens have been trapped in a civil and global war. Their lives will never be the same, for the good or the bad we do not know. We will only learn the real stories in the next few years.

An apology is the right move Mr. Obama. One would think that individuals that are so deeply entrenched in their religion would understand this.  And also, they should understand the consequences that burning a Quran would cause for our troops. The world is not flat anymore, republicans.

If we want to be respected around the world we have to respect the world.

But this is often hard for those that live in such a cozy and sheltered world. I think that these so-called republican presidential candidates need to understand that their days are over. There is no way that our society wants to go back in to the Post Civil Right era. The good ole days when only Caucasian men made decisions for the country and minorities were often never included in their decision making process are over. This is not a race issues, or a political party issues. This is an issue of doing what is right.

We have to swallow our pride, say sorry once and awhile, do what is necessary to make things right, and simply- grow up. 

What A Snob!!

Ricky, Ricky, Ricky, you have some serious issues. When I see Mr. Santorum on television I often chuckle. But some could say the same about the guy that should be in the lead in my opinion- Mr. Ron Paul. As I move closer to the Libertarian side of the isle these types of statements are the reason why the republicans have turned into some strange party from the middle of the country. But for a presidential candidate to call the current president a “snob”, because he thinks that all citizens should try college is ludicrous.

Of course Ricky, you do not want your voters to be educated because they would not vote for you. They would continue their search for jobs that have been eliminated by greedy republicans that often outsource jobs, hire illegal immigrates, and simply only care about the shareholders. That is fine; that is how a capitalistic system works. Not only does Ricky believe that Mr. Obama is a “snob” but he believes that the “Liberal College Professor is trying to remake you in his image”. Really Ricky, this is what you believe?

So let me get this straight. A republican is not supportive of citizens attending college, and he has a problem with the professors. These statements have created a great disconnect and are also casting a dark cloud on the Republican Party. More proof that social warfare will be a big part of this year’s presidential election. Mr. Ricky also stated that he talked to some minorities, and they said that they do not want handouts like food stamps, but they want jobs. I bet they want better grocery stores to spend those food stamps, and I bet they also want to send their children to college.   

Of course Mr. Ricky, they want jobs. But in order to get a job in this new economy they better have an education. And I am sure that a G.E.D. or High School diploma is going to get them to the top of the resume pile. Epic fail, Mr. Ricky, epic fail, try again. The lack of an education is why our country is in this current situation. With K-12 schools leaving as many children behind as they can, and college tuition climbing, of course Ricky hates educated citizens. Mr. Santorum home schools his children, and I am sure there is some reasoning behind this. Maybe he understand that our educational system is a failure, and does not want to subject his children to the real role that school has started to play in our lives, a  place to socialize and find ourselves.

So if it takes a liberal college professor to turn the life around of an unprivileged individual then so be it. There is no reason for an attack on something that is positive for the whole country. Basically, so many so-called republicans vote against the same social programs that will help them. They fall to the same trap that many citizens do when it comes to political affiliation. Many minorities feel as if the Democratic Party is their party and a vast majority of Caucasians believe that the Republican Party is their party. And as we can see that has really worked well for our society.

Ricky, do me a favor tell your children to drop out and never attend college, tell  them that you are not going to give them any financial help and see how far they get in this new America. 

Donald and Ronald

Alright boys and girls, let us take a trip down mind control road and explore something that I think is rather strange. Now we know that we are currently involved in a mind war. A mind war that has plotted half of the country against the other half. A war that uses statistics and personal beliefs to destroy the concept of reality. We all love reality; you know- American Idol, Survivor, The Apprentice.  That reality that catches us humans in our most glorious moments like when we are given thousands of dollars to drink at a club and fist pump all night. How is this a connection to Donald-the-landlord-Trump and Ronald-the-drug-lord-Reagan?

This war is played out in our minds. The values and statistics are twisted and calculated. Issues are thrown around like newspapers on Sunday morning. Most of you may forget a few key facts, but I will explain- hold on. Now to some, Ronald Reagan was the best president in the world. Of course an actor and a spokesman for General Electric would make the perfect candidate for governor. Never mind that he totally switched his political affiliation. With a degree in sociology, and being an actor over the years it would not be hard to deploy mind control tactics. Ronald could be considered a real Sith Lord.

These are the same tactics that are being used by Donald Trump.  How is this? Well first off, he owns his own Entertainment Company, secondly he is a spokesman for Capitalism that is often more of a conservative concept if you look at political figuring and positioning. Donald Trump has switched like a light switch powered by a G.E. light bulb. Donald is the perfect candidate for the Republican/Conservative that has been trapped in a cave forced fed hours of reality television. Never mind the fact that Donald has been married to more women then at the local brothel, oops I mean message parlor.

Trump will not even shake your hand. He says that it is because of germs, but I think he does not want to leave any evidence or DNA when he stabs us all in the back. One day he attacks China and says that they are trying to take over America (true in my opinion), but then behind closed doors he is trying to strike deals to get a version of the Apprentice in China. So there- money is important to you, never mind the lead in the toys or the fact that we keep crawling to them to borrow money. Sure China manipulates their interest rate. As an owner of a casino I think you do the same thing? What are the odds of your slot machines?

So how will it be if Donald Trump is president?  It would be a little different then the Reagan era or would it? The drug lord Reagan did create his own economic system. Reagan deployed a war on the people with the slogan of “Just Say No” as the war cry heard in the streets. More people will be out of work because the big guy hates the small guy. The small local café shop on the corner will have to pay an increase in rent after the Trump remodel. Medical Marijuana farms would be replaced by Rogaine and Viagra plants, and electric cars would be replaced by the new Chrysler 100m- an electric version of the 300m. The car would have a human pedal mode, in case all the recent skyscrapers block out the sun.  Prisons would be filled with individuals evicted from their homes. All programs dealing with addictive gambling would be reduced and replaced by more Donald Trump Casinos.

They have us programmed to believe in stars. We are not running this country and often not involved in any of the decision making responsibilities. The old truth that we are a Republic and not a Democratic society often is forgotten. We leave the decision making responsibilities to someone else by default remember? But how can any of these clowns represent us when they flip like an “In and Out Burger”- the only time they stay still is to take on the cheese. Even Obama has changed his formula like Coca Cola, and I am waiting for the original to return.

Donald said it himself "One of the key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace, good people don't go into government."

Please let us not forget that we are about to hate each other even more for the next year or so. The right side will say this and the left side will say that. But we have to support the people that have us in the forefront. Not the oil companies, banks, or other corporations that pillage the people. Do not fall for the next Reagan. The charismatic, economical, political, puppet controlled by the unknown selling us out looking out the penthouse window.

Angry Black Man Syndrome (ABMS)

I have been told many times that I am an angry black man. But those that know me understand that this is not anger but passion. I am cut from a different cloth. There have been many that have told me “You are the whitest black man that I know”. I laugh and think to myself you really do not have a clue about who I really am. Is there a certain way that a black man should talk and dress? I mean, I do wear a belt and search for the correct size jeans.

I am often embarrassed when I see black men with their jeans down to their knees, staring at their Underroos with Sponge Bob Square Paints and the Wonder Twins. Yes I am frustrated when the hottest song on the radio is telling me that I should be single for the night. I mean come on; there is nothing wrong with arguing with your mate and then having hot passionate make-up sex.

I have been pulled over by the cops and racially profiled. I have tried my hardest to let some of the comments that I have heard pass right by like a speeding train and then move on with my life. But the more I heard these comments and evaluated the constant racial tension around me, I knew that it was time to do more with my life and use my talents as a writer to reach the world.

So, you can call me angry if I won’t stand for people not living up to their potential and crying poor me all the time. The excuses are old. The truth is just that the truth. There are some that will never understand the cultural differences and accept that there needs to be real conversation and an agenda developed to combat this racial tension. No matter where I have lived there has always been someone or something that has reminded me that before I am an American, I am black.

When I lived in California I was at my brother-in-laws weeding reception and his father-in-law asked me if I was from Oakland. I looked at him and his fuzzy blonde afro and replied no, I am from Pacifica California. I thought to myself “sorry for the disappointment and welcome to the family”, while his son was standing upside down drinking from a keg. Now explain that to the kids in Oakland!

Or better yet, the day that I moved into my first house and my new neighbor called her husband in fear because I was standing outside instructing the movers were to put my furniture. I can just imagine the conversation over the phone “honey you need to come home now, there is a black man outside his own house I think he is going to rob me and the alarm has not been set-up yet”.

But don’t worry; I get the same type of reaction from black people. Like, when I am standing outside smoking a cigarette and they ask for one and refuse to take one because it is not menthol. Or when we engage in a conversation and they are shocked and say “you speak proper”. I am sorry my house is not filled with Kool-Aid packets and my kids do not run around the neighborhood out of control.

I am not angry at the world and I have friends of all races. Any day around my home I can be the minority and the next the majority. That is the beauty of living in America. I might be a little louder than the next guy, or say something controversial, but why not? I mean, sometimes there are things that need to be addressed.

I do not see the world simply as black and white, but there are issues that can be directly tied to racism and a society that has not addressed the past. I see a bright future for our country. I see little children of all races playing together and eating lunch together at the same table. But as adults we have a responsibility to make it a better place, so these children will not grow up and be upset and understand that race is something that is important.

It was hard enough to explain to my son when he was a kindergartener that it was alright for a black man to marry a white woman. After his first week of kindergarten he came home confused and stated that he thought that a black man and a white woman should not be married. I thought that I would not have a conversation like this until he was at least a teenager. So for those to say that the world has totally moved forward and it is over- think again, because this mindset was taught to a child by their parents.

Even today Obama has tapped into his passion to express his concerns on the current struggles of our economy. They called it the new approach. But I guess since I am not the president and I am not wearing a suit and tie my approach is called anger.