emPower Magazine Blog

Murder Madness

By DeShuna Spencer

People say that you're not supposed to question God. But with the senseless murders that take place on a regular basis, I find myself asking, why? I'm tired of reading about African Americans dying from gun violence.

I know it might seem hard to focus on gun violence when the economy is in bad shape and there's a monumental election taking place, but this is the time when we should be thinking about it. October is Crime Prevention Month. With other important observances such as Breast Cancer or Domestic Violence Awareness dominating the spotlight in October, Crime Prevention Month has gotten very little publicity. To be quite honest, it is no one's fault by our own. Other causes get more attention because more people are involved in their advocacy programs. Women, for instance, who have been affected by breast cancer, are more likely to participate in their annual walk or donate money. So why aren't more African Americans involved with Crime Prevention Month? We all know the statistics: that nearly half of the homicide victims are blacks, despite only making up 13 percent of the population.

What troubles me is: why are so many young men willing to kill someone on a whim? For instance, an 18-year-old woman was killed recently in Washington DC over a hamburger. She was eating a burger outside and some guy, who she did not know, asked her to make him a burger. When she refused, he left, came back with a gun and killed her. Earlier this year, two women were shot to death in Indianapolis while holding their babies in their arms. The children died as well. A few years ago, a bunch of teenagers were sitting on a guy's car, who needed to get to work. When the guy asked the young men to get off of his car, they got mad and shot him multiple times. And, now this recent incident with Jennifer Hudson and her sister. I can't image what her sister must be feeling to lose a mother, a sibling and her son. 

Whenever these incidents happen, there's always a vigil with local council members and prominent black leaders vowing to end violence and "take back the streets." But, in the end, nothing happens, except for more blood shed. I've lost a cousin, an uncle and a boyfriend to gun violence. I'm not the only one to lose loved ones. Bill Cosby lost his son, and Michael Jordan lost his father. And, I won't get into rapper population.

We know that black are disproportionately affected by violence. So, where's the Crime Prevention Walk? Where's the homicide wrist band? Where's the PSA on BET? Where's the annual donation drive? Where's the outrage? Have we gotten so accustomed to death in our community that we've lost hope? Fifty years ago, blacks were murdered for trying to get equal rights and we marched from Selma, to Birmingham, to Jackson, Miss., all the way to the U.S. Capitol. We have lost more black people in the inner city streets than we did during the Civil Rights Movement and we won't march to the corner. What happened to our fight?

I wish I had some antidote to this huge problem, but I don't. I wish I could breath hope into the nostrils of some of these young men who are committing these crimes. I wish that the gang, thug and drug lifestyles were not filtrating our neighborhoods. I wish our kids had better schools and even better parents to teach them right from wrong. There are so many things that I wish for,  that there's not enough time to list them all. So in it's place, I will give you a challenge. Let's hold our elected officials accountable when they pledge to fix this problem. Let's start getting active in our communities. Leave our blinds open to show that we own the neighborhood, not the thugs. We should start talking to our young people instead of turning up our noises to them, and deeming them as "lost." We need to work with the police when their is a crime involved. We need to do better.

Crime Prevention Month will be over in less than a week; we don't want to come to this time next year without attempting to tackle this issue. Are you ready to fight?

DeShuna Spencer is owner of Liu Karama Productions LLC and editorial director of emPower magazine.

What’s at Stake?

By Crecilla Scott

As Election Day approaches, it is important to remember what is at stake. We will decide who will set America’s economic agenda. We will decide who will advance a new and improved U.S. foreign policy. We determine who will sign into law new healthcare legislation.  We will decide who should appoint (possibly three) Supreme Court Justices. Our vote will determine who appoints the next Attorney General, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Education, etc.  To put some of these issues in perspective, consider what is at stake:

1. Economy--The U.S. economy has lost 760,000 jobs so far this year. September 2008 marked the ninth consecutive month of job loss, with 159,000 jobs disappearing. Our nest eggs have faired no better; because of the weakened stock market, Americans have lost about $2 trillion in retirement savings within the last year and 3 months. What could be scarier than loosing that kind of money? Knowing that the Unites States owes China $541 billion and knowing that McCain’s economic policies will simply make rich Americans richer and poor Americans poorer.

2. Education--According to 2005 results from the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP), a nationally representative assessment sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, only 13 percent of black 4th graders scored “Proficient” or higher on NAEP’s reading test, compared to 16 percent of Hispanic students, 41 percent of White students, and 42 percent of Asian students.  Given our current educational crisis, we cannot afford a spending freeze or budget cuts to programs like Head Start, Title I, Pell Grant, and Stafford Loans. What’s at stake – funding for our children’s future.

3. Crime--Over the last two decades, crime and incarceration rates have sky-rocketed. In many major cities, there are more homicides than days in the year.  For example, there have been close to 430 killings in Chicago this year alone.  In Philadelphia, over, 391 people were murdered in 2007.  No president – Democrat, Republican, or otherwise – can stop the carnage single-handedly. In fact, most of the work needed to stop the violence will need to be carried out locally. But we need a President who will support our efforts by appropriately funding public education, violence prevention programs, and offender re-entry initiatives. We need a President who will work to reform our current penal system.

4. Foreign Relations--Iraq. Afghanistan. Pakistan. Iran. Israel. Saudi Arabia. China. Russia. Georgia. Canada. Europe.  We need a President who is open to setting a new course on foreign policy to strengthen our moral standing in the world. Oh, and avoid World War 3 if at all possible.

I would be writing for months if I decided to list, in detail, all of the complex and nuanced issues at stake.  Suffice it to say, on November 4, a lot is at stake. Americans will decide if we make history and move forward with an agenda that is more inclusive of all Americans, or derail history and erase some of the progress and gains that we have made over the last 40 years.

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.

Additional Resources
http://www.treas.gov/tic/mfh.txt
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23957476/
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/opinion/26rich.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2008/2008022.pdf
http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/03/news/economy/jobs_september/index.htm?postversion=2008100313
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/planning-to-retire/2008/10/8/retirement-savers-lost-2-trillion-in-the-stock-market.html
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2007/minoritytrends/ind_3_10.asp

Hatred Hiding Behind the Computer

By Quincy Lewis

With the election being less than a week away, anticipation and hostility mount among probable voters.  Somehow, economic plans and healthcare have taken a  back seat to whether a candidate is black or white.  Some sort of confusion and nonsense has even lead to the disbelief that Senator Obama is even American. 

Personally, I had planned to vote for Obama because of his stance on putting a time table on the exit strategy to bring our troops home from Iraq.  I also agree with his economic philosophy, which could relieve some of the pressure off of the middle class tax payer and essentially allow us to contribute money back into the economy.  I never intended to vote for McCain. Mainly, because I don’t agree with his stance on any of the issues I spoke of earlier.  But,  my decision to not vote for him is certainly not because he doesn’t share the same skin color as I, which is oddly why some people are not voting for Obama.

A few years ago, before the last election, Colin Powell thought about running for president.  Guess what?  I wasn’t going to vote for him.  He is black though, but his race was not my motivation in electing a commander in chief, neither is it the motivation this time around.  Unfortunately, for others, that is not the case.

The AP released the news about a plot to kill 88 people. The two people arrested were referred to as “Neo Nazis.”  The final attack was to attempt to assassinate Barack Obama. The two in custody also claimed that they were going to shoot some of the victims while decapitating others on their cross-country killing spree.

Unbelievable. Obama hasn’t even been elected and plots to get rid of him are already in place.  Some readers may think that because I am a Obama/Biden ticket supporter, that I’m embellishing the racial divide that does indeed exist. After reading the story of  assassination plot online, I decided to read some of the reactions and instead of paraphrasing, I copied them (unedited) exactly as they appeared so you could experience what I did.

Lovelanddon
10:08 PMOct 28 2008
We all know how blacks react to news they don't like . They burn down their neighborhoods , then cry that the Government isn't builing it back fast enough >

Fatboyjoe1956
10:09 PMOct 28 2008
McCain and Palin......John and Sarah.....The White House WILL remain a white house forever. Say what you want and do what you want people. This country will NEVER elect someone like obama. I admit despising what Muslims stand for, and that obama was chosen. VOTE.....McCain and Palin.....The ONLY Americans who admit it......and are PROUD of it......

Mylabrookie
10:13 PMOct 28 2008
I HATE OBAMA AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AT THE NUMBER OF DUMB PEOPLE HEADED FOR SWALLOWING THE KOOL-AID. KARL MARX SAID IT BEST " WE DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE AMERICANS, THEY WILL SELF-DESTRUCT FROM WITHIN' "CONGRATULATION ARE IN ORDER FOR THE FINE JOB OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BY EVERYONE FROM THE ATF,FBI, SECRET SERVICE AND THE LOCAL SHERIFF DEPUTIES. YOU GOOD PEOPLE ON THE SECRET SERVOCE PRESIDENTS DETAIL HAVE YOUR WORK CUT POINT FOR YOU TO KEEP THIS MAN WHO WANTS TO DESTROY THIS COUNTRY. MY GUESS HE WILL TRY TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE AND THEN HIS OWN PEOPLE WILL REMOVE HIM ONCE THEY HAVE CAPTURED THE CURISMA HE'S CAST OVER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

Jetecamy
10:14 PMOct 28 2008
This assassination attempt is a big sign how dangerous Obama is. Although, I do not believe in murder, it is better to take one life and save a nation.

I wonder if all these postings sound so vicious and deliberate because the identities of the writers are hidden.  It is hard to believe that someone would say things like this outside the confines of their computers. It is distasteful and down right disturbing that the image of blacks in America is still so downtrodden that weak racists can hide behind anonymous Internet user names and try to make a mockery of our next president of the United States of America.  Catch ya on the FLIPSIDE.

Newsflash to the McCain Camp

By Crecilla Scott

After months of deceptive and dishonest rhetoric, the McCain campaign’s strategy—to attack and distract—is beginning to implode. There is infighting between McCain’s staff and Palin’s aides. Their thinly veiled, insincere efforts to present themselves as the party of the working class have begun to unravel. Palin’s $150,000 RNC-funded shopping spree smacks of hypocrisy and elitism.  (It appears that Ms. Wal-Mart –mom has Neiman Marcus taste.)  In fact, the very idea that the Republicans have “Joe the Plumber,” or “Joe Six-pack’s” best interest in mind is laughable. Do they realize that these symbolic working-class people have real needs? Do they understand that the people behind their pet names are facing very real challenges? Can the Republican party relate to the struggles of everyday Americans who do not run a business, but simply work hard to provide for their families? 

After all, this is the same party that laughed at community organizers—the very people who help make life better for Americans like “Joe Six-pack” and “Deborah the Divorced Single Mother.” Here’s a big hint that the Double Talk Express doesn’t care about “middle America”— every-other-word-out-of-McCain’s-mouth-is-BUSINESS. Oh, and every third word is WEALTH. The Republicans want to look out for the interests of wealthy businesses, to the detriment of the rest of us.  I am all for entrepreneurship and I support rewarding innovation and hard work, but there are plenty of people who work hard and are not wealthy. Many people work hard everyday and can’t afford health insurance, quality daycare, or decent housing. Newsflash to the McCain camp: middle- and working-class Americans need a tax break more than CEOs who earn millions of dollars per year.

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.

The McPalin Disaster? You Betcha!

By Crecilla Scott

When Sarah Palin first gave her sarcastic, condescending, but brilliantly delivered speech at the Republican National Convention, I thought the Democrats were going to have a problem on their hands. As it turns out, it’s the Republicans who have a problem on their hands.  Although the die-hard, ‘ride or die’ Republicans are backing McCain’s foolish selection for a Vice Presidential candidate, many reasonable, levelheaded, intelligent independents and conservatives have wisely concluded that McCain is going to have to ride this storm out on his own.  (See Colin Powell’s endorsement.) Since I am obviously not the target audience for “Joe the Plumber” scenarios, “small town value” references, and “Hockey Mom” shout outs, I am having a hard time understanding what the Double-Talk Express would bring to all Americans.  You know, people who are named Antonio, Kisha, Felix, Brianna, Aiyana, Juan, and Li. You know, people who live in large cities or urban areas and may be concerned about crime, their children’s education, or healthcare.

Sarah Palin has demonstrated an astounding lack of knowledge, understanding, and intellectual curiosity about most complex issues that the next President will face.  In past interviews, she has rambled incoherently about any number of issues. She has been unable to spontaneously name any of her regular news sources. She does not know what the Bush Doctrine means. She cannot name (and hence, does not know) any U.S. Supreme Court decision that she disagrees with outside of Roe v. Wade. Yet, she likes to criticize and condescend the opposing party--unbelievable.  Since the McPalin Disaster-ticket likes to question their opponent’s qualifications to be President, let’s discuss some of Palin’s (lack of) qualifications for jobs that are less demanding than potentially assuming the presidency:

1. High School Civics Teacher – On numerous occasions, Palin has referenced imaginary responsibilities of the Vice President. In an interview, before being selected as McCain’s running mate, she asked what were the responsibilities of the Vice President. Say it ain’t so, Sarah.
2. Constitutional Law Professor – Palin’s assertion – that the constitution gives the Vice President enough flexibility to engage in legislative activities – would disqualify her for this position. I guess the lack of a pesky law degree would disqualify her, too.  (Before making future statements that show her lack of understanding of the Constitution, she can always run it by Obama, since he used to be a Constitutional Law Professor at the University of Chicago.)
3. President of almost any institute of higher learning.  Do the research on the qualifications for leadership positions at most schools in this country.
4. Economist or Healthcare Policy Analyst – With regard to Katie Couric’s question about the bailout, and why isn’t it better to help middle-class American instead of rich financial institutions, Palin babbled “…what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the--it's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade…” Uh?
5. Mediator/Arbitrator/Negotiator – Correct me if I am missing something, but I have yet to hear of a story about Palin correcting some of her scary, violent supporters.  It is divisive and dishonorable to run on a platform that spreads rumors and tears down your opponent, as opposed to running on the strength of your own credentials. When Palin continually remains silent while supporters yell “Terrorist,” “Kill Him,” and “Traitor,” she is signaling that this type of behavior and thought process is acceptable. When she runs around calling Senator Obama a Socialist; deliberately distorts his relationship with a former board member; and suggests that some Americans are the “real” Americans, she is demonstrating her lack of leadership ability.  (Newsflash to Sarah Palin: We are all Americans--blue states, red states, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native Americans, etc.) Her divisive rhetoric is like yelling “fire” in a crowded movie theater. True leaders bring people together. True leaders inspire the best in others. True leadership requires the ability to bring people together for a common purpose.

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.

Additional Resources
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-rodda/palins-role-of-the-vice-p_b_134043.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/30/sarah-palin-answers-what_n_130706.html
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/fareed_zakaria/2008/09/palin_is_ready_please.html
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/26/palin-should-step-down-conservative-commentator-says/

I'm angry too!

By DeShuna Spencer

Recently, some of Sen. John McCain's supporters distastefully expressed their frustrations with the direction the presidential election is taking.

They're not the only ones who are angry about the dark turn this election has taken. I am pissed too. Here's why:

1. I am angry that McCain would insult my intelligence as a woman by choosing Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. I can't read his mind, but I know he does not actually believe that she is qualified to be Vice President. Does he really think that by picking any woman, all of the Hillary Clinton supporters would just flock to him? News flash to McCain: Palin is NO Clinton.

2. I am angry that every conservative site has a loop of Michelle Obama’s infamous "Proud of her Country" speech when, during McCain's acceptance speech at the Republican Convention, he said he fell in love with his country while being a prisoner of war. I'm in  no way implying that McCain did not love America until Vietnam. I'm sure he did. But I'm a rational person who can understand that his imprisonment made him appreciate America more. So for Michelle, this experience, her husband's nomination for president (the first for a black man), made her look at America differently. It doesn't make her un-American. It makes her real, because a lot of black people looked at America a little differently when he won Iowa, a state that is 95 percent white.

3. I'm angry that there are so many ignorant people in America, who actually believe that Obama is everything from, an "Arab," Muslim, and the most insulting, the Anti-Christ!?! If you do a Google search for the words: "Obama" and "Anti-Christ" there are about one million hits, and YouTube.com has about 1,500 videos related to that topic. Unbelievable. And, some people contradict themselves. Some McCain supporters always want to ask why did Sen. Barack Obama sit in Rev. Jeremiah Wright's church for so long in one sentence, and then call him a Muslim in the next sentence. It makes no sense. Why would a Muslim get married at a Christian church? Of, that's right. He's the "Anti-Christ" and his plan is to fool us all. Give me a break.

4. I'm angry that we have to beg some black folks to register to vote, not just for this election, but any election. Only 32 percent of the black population eligible to vote is registered. My church has been working hard to get our members registered. Everyone's been doing voter registration drives. You can't turn on the radio, open up an email or flip on the television without seeing initiatives related to a voting drive. When I volunteered at an event last month, I registered a few dozen minorities. Last week, while at the subway station, a young male, with clipboard in hand, walked up to people individually asking them if they were registered. And, I must say, the black folks were rude. Most of the black people said they didn't want to register. One sistah had the audacity to say that she was registered, but she decided not to vote. The young male asked why. She said she didn't want to. Frustrated, he walked away. Whether a black man or a green man is running for president, it is our duty to vote. Someone told me that I should be nicer to my fellow black folks when it comes to the voting issue. Forget that. Our ancestors were murdered, hosed down and beaten so I could cast a vote. I don't care what your ideology is. Someone suffered so we could have that right. People who choose not to vote have no right to complain about their conditions.

5. I am angry that conservatives keep using Barack Obama's middle name: Hussein. Using his middle name doesn't some how make him a terrorist. Just like having the name "Adolph" does not make someone a future dictator. You never hear McCain's middle name mentioned. It is Sidney, by the way.

6. I'm angry that some people keep bringing up Obama's past drug usage, when Cindy McCain was addicted to prescription drugs and President George Bush had a cocaine problem. Bush is seen as a man delivered by God, while Obama is seen as some "guy of the street." There seems to be a doubled standard.

7. I'm angry that some of McCain supporters have used racial and threatening slurs toward Obama during he and Palin's recent campaign speeches. Saying things like: "kill him" or "off with his head" are unacceptable. As much as this election has shown how far we've come, it also reminds us how far we still need to go. During one rally, Palin began attacking the mainstream media, which caused the crowd to turn on the reporters attending the event. One Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at an African American sound man for a network and told him, "Sit down, boy."

8. I'm angry that James T. Harris, the brotha who got up last week in support for John McCain, has gotten death threats. I may not agree with his politics. And, yes it was ironic that he was perfectly positioned at the front of the auditorium surrounded by a sea of other races, but this is a free country. Just because Obama is a black does not mean that Harris is a traitor because he supports McCain. In the very beginning of the primaries, my husband, a long with a few of my black friends, supported Sen. Hillary Clinton. Does that make them Uncle Toms? I hate that term Uncle Tom. Calling Harris a sellout diminishes black folks reasoning for supporting Obama. I'm voting for Obama, who happens to be a black man. I'm not voting for him because he's black. If that's the case, when the Rev. Al Sharpton tossed his hat in the presidential race four years ago, most black folks would've been sell outs because he didn't go very far. We all know that Sen. Obama is capable of bringing much needed change to this country. Let's move away from attacking our own and focus on the issues.

9. I'm angry that ACORN, an organization that helps low and moderate-income people with affordable housing, health care, living wages, and much more, has been smeared to the public. Some people are saying that this organization helped cause the housing crisis by helping people get into homes, who would have otherwise been denied. They are being accused of voter fraud because they paid recovering addicts and homeless people an hourly wage to register people to vote. I didn't know that giving people a second chance in life was considered taboo. Out of 85,000 registered votes, about 8,000 were suspect. Yes, individuals were wrong, but you can't blame the entire organization. In Washington DC, homeless people sell "Street Sense," the homeless newspaper. I'm sure not all of them follow the rules, but does that mean that the newspaper would stop allowing homeless people to make an honest day's pay?

Well, I'm finished ranting. I just had to get this off of my chest.

What are you angry about? Share your frustrations below.

DeShuna Spencer is owner and editorial director of emPower magazine.

What Have You Learned this Election Season?

By Crecilla Scott

Most Americans would agree that this campaign season has been long. In fact, far too many of us can paraphrase at least a few sentences from the stump speech of both presidential candidates. I know far more than I need to know about Barack Obama’s parents, Cindy McCain’s former drug addiction and costly clothing, John McCain’s time in Hanoi, and moose hunting.  I have watched more Anderson Cooper, Campbell Brown, Morning Joe, Keith Olbermann, Roland Martin, Chris Mathews, Lou Dobbs, Rachel Maddow, Bill O’Reilly (gasp) and Saturday Night Live, than I care to admit.  I’ve lost count of the number of political articles that I have read – in the last week.  For the first time ever, I actually watched a significant portion of the Republican National Convention. (For the record, it was scary.) 

I have learned a lot about myself and others during this campaign season. My heightened awareness of this year’s political process has caused me to re-evaluate a few of my previously held assumptions.  It has also given me the opportunity to think more broadly about the fundamental differences between each party’s ideology.

I have learned that individuals are much more effective when they work together toward a common goal. Barack Obama has one of the most efficient, effective, and well-organized campaigns in history. His message is consistent, his campaign’s voter registration drive has been extremely successful, and he and his supporters have put in the hard work that is required to win an election. By contrast, Hillary Clinton’s former campaign and John McCain’s current campaign have been described as “schizophrenic” and “erratic.”  Hillary Clinton’s top advisors disagreed on the strategy of the campaign and as a result, they were involved in a bitter, counterproductive power struggle. John McCain’s campaign has been unable to produce an effective, consistent message, particularly in light of the country’s economic crisis. (I have learned that a common political strategy seems to be, throw everything at your opponent, including the kitchen sink, and see what sticks!)

I have learned that our similarities far outweigh our differences.  We all want to provide a safe, nurturing environment for our children. We all want the opportunity to excel as far as our motivation and intellect will take us. The difference is that some of us are more willing than others to ensure that our fellow Americans have sufficient opportunities to succeed.I have learned that sometimes, you don’t need to have the appropriate credentials and requisite knowledge to be next in line for the most powerful job in the world. Sometimes, identity politics is enough.

I have learned that politicians lie and deceive Americans with a skill that is so deft, it has been elevated to an art form.

I have learned that our country has grown considerably in the last 50 years.  I have also learned how fragile our progress has been at times, and how a powerful hurricane or history-making presidential run can reveal just how far we still have to go. I believe that it is our individual and collective responsibility to make our country and this world a better place.  What have you learned this election season?

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.

Politics As Usual: Lipstick, eBay, and the First Wife

By Kezia Williams

Four years ago when I moved to Washington, I was what some people liked to call ‘wet behind the ears.’ I was new and unfamiliar with the politics of socializing, networking and meeting new people.  Since I am from the South, I remember walking to my very first job on M Street in NW Washington, after my first Metro ride and speaking cheerfully to everyone I saw.  ‘Good Morning!’ I remember saying to a woman in red high heels, she responded by clutching her purse a little tighter.  I shrugged it off, and exclaimed a bit louder to a gentleman I saw next, ‘Mornin’!’ and he looked briskly to the ground, his face a bit bewildered.  I must have repeated the phrase about four times without receiving a response before I realized that people generally didn’t greet persons they didn’t know in the further North.  This was the first lesson. The second came shortly thereafter when I watched a lady with no high-school diploma and no prior work experience get promoted ahead of me; this was because her aunt was sisters with the partner’s wife in my firm.  In Washington (say it with me), it’s not about what you know, it’s all about who…well, you know the rest.  It was a lesson in hard knocks.

So, imagine my surprise on October 7, 2008, around 9:18pm EST, when I found out I was friends with Senator John McCain, a man who had been elected to Arizona’s first congressional district the very same year I was born.  For a split second I was excited, by being his friend this meant that his friends would become my friends. Together we ‘friends’ could achieve more in Washington with having this incredible access.  Then it dawned on me, like it does on the victims of the former, hit television show ‘Punk’d,’ I hadn’t even met the man.  I was quiet for a second, half-expecting Kutcher to jump from behind my closet door with a camera crew in tow.  Where had I gotten this silly idea?  Then, at precisely 9:46pm EST, I found out, Senator McCain had called me – (once again and along with several million other Americans) his friend!

Politics as usual, ladies and gentlemen, is what every citizen must be aware of in the upcoming 2008 elections (especially from candidates struggling to stay competitive in the polls).  Webster’s Dictionary defines politics as the “social relationship involving intrigue to gain authority or power.” The dictionary goes on to define usual as “occurring or observed frequently.”  If you put it together in a sentence, one could define politics as usual as “the ability to engage frequently in a social relationship involving intrigue to gain authority or power.”  It doesn’t sound that bad, except when someone is doing at the expense of the truth. 

In this election, politics as usual has been used frequently. For example Governor Palin, Senator McCain’s Vice Presidential running mate, declared she brought ethics reform to Alaskan government by ‘getting rid of things that citizens didn’t have to pay for.’ This included a jet, which she declared she ‘put on eBay.’  What she failed to mention was the jet was never sold on eBay. Instead it was purchased by a local Alaskan business for several hundred thousand dollars less than what it was worth, so much for saving taxpayers money, Governor Palin.

Similarly speaking, the McCain for President campaign has accused Senator Obama of calling Governor Palin a pig, a very serious allegation.  In a speech to supporters, Palin proclaimed that “the only difference between a pit bull and a soccer mom; is one wears lipstick.”  

Several days later in a message about how a McCain presidency wouldn’t represent change in Washington, Obama said, "John McCain says he's about change, too, and so I guess his whole angle is, 'Watch out, George Bush! Except for (his policies are the same as George Bush), we're really going to shake things up in Washington. That's not change.”  Obama continued, “that's just calling something the same thing something different. But you know, you can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change; it’s still going to stink after eight years. We’ve had enough of the same old thing."

Was Obama really saying Palin was a pig, especially since her name wasn’t mentioned?  Was he somehow ‘alluding’ to this in his statements?

If he was, perhaps McCain is guilty too of calling another politician a pig.  “On February 1, 2007, McCain blasted a Senate resolution that criticized President Bush’s strategy in Iraq. Some praised the resolution as a compromise measure, but McCain disagreed.” Said McCain, “It gets down to whether you support what is being done in this new strategy or you don’t. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig, in my view.”

Was McCain calling Bush a pig?  Of course not! He was referring to a strategy. Likewise, Obama was challenging McCain’s ideas on change.

I am not surprised, though, because some of the candidates have been famous for purposefully forgetting the facts.  For example, not remembering to include your former lifetime partner in a nine minute documentary about your entire life; the same lifetime partner that supported you while you were being tortured for five years and continued to honor matrimonial vows even after her partner had began dating someone several years his junior.

Politics as usual. 

It’s now October 9, 2008 at 9:23am, EST, on Thursday.  Ashton Kutcher has yet to jump from behind my closet with his camera crew; at the same time I have yet to receive a phone call, email, letter, smoke signal from ‘my friend’ Senator McCain.  And, I (along with a million other people who were called his friend along with me), will continue to wait for friendship that was unilaterally extended, but will likely never be developed into a reciprocal relationship.

Kezia Williams is President of Intimate Arrangements, a local business in the DC Metropolitan are that specializes in planning special occasions for couples.  She is also DC Chair for Young and Powerful for Obama.

Reference Links:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=gmail&q=define%3A%20Politics
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3A+usual&btnG=Search
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_sarah_palin_sell_the_alaska_governors.html    http://www.usnews.com/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2008/10/03/sarah-palin-the-mainstream-media-filter-and-the-growing-culture-of-casual-lies.html
http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/706/

The Ivy Leaguers Got Us Into this Economic Roller coaster

By Timothy Nevels

I am sure there are a number of Ivy League grads serving in Congress,with many more working at the institutes that are now failing us.

I have been blasted with comments from friends and foes blaming each party for the current debacle—some say greedy Republicans and others say Hippie Democrats are the cause. Each proudly state that it wasn't their party who got us into this mess. Yet, both parties serve the American public. We trusted them with our investments; our hard earned cash. Americans thought at least the government was watching the companies, who held our money. When gas prices went to the moon, we continued to pay. When we had to dip into our 401(k) to keep the house, we paid our share. Now, we have to bail out companies where workers walked away with millions of dollars bonuses. How in the heck can companies can pay CEOs who loses money for the shareholders? Give them homes and health care for life. The parachute isn't golden; it's space metal—out of this world.

Do not get me wrong; I have great respect for those who went to one of the fine institutions and went on to do great things for America. But please stop saying that you’re smarter than I am. If I were a CEO of a company, there is no way that I would take money from laid off or fired workers to buy myself another home in Martha's Vineyard. If I lost shareholders money, I wouldn't take a bonus. Don't pay me other than my salary. Beware any company that can afford to pay a city millions of dollars to have a stadium named after it. Some of these executives are living ‘high off the hog’ on your shareholders dime. Flying to Spain in the middle of the afternoon to have coffee. Leading Freddie and Fannie into Hurricane Katrina conditions. Please don't tell me you’re smarter than I am; that you are better than the folks who lay concrete, ride on the back of a trash truck in the city where the rats could be fitted with a saddle.

Yet, we can’t totally blame this mess on the CEO. Some, if not most, of this is the fault of Americans not reading contracts and actually learning what it costs to buy and maintain a home. You can't buy a house that is more than your salary. It's not a good idea to take interest only or adjustable mortgages. Don't go into the unknown without doing your research. Don't think those who work on Wall Street care if you fail or succeed; they are only interested in your commission. The power of information is so powerful. We pay people for information or services that we can do ourselves. We, as Americans, have lost our way. No politician is going to change anything unless each side starts working together or we vote them out. Accept no less from your close friends and family. Look out for your neighbor was the motto our neighborhood practiced with honor. It is the honor and love of country that seems to disappear when you have the advantage of being in that part of the economic juggernaut. Folks lose what little sense that they may have had when money and power are combined. To many in our government forget who is the boss. It's us, the American people, and no matter the color each one of us has, we have to be accountable for our actions.

I hope we learn from this time in American history. It will be something we talk to our grandkids about. We will set our grandchildren on our knee and rock back and forth with a look of wisdom. Telling them: "I can remember back in 2008 when folks lost their minds. The housing market bottomed out. Companies that had been around for more than 100 years closed its doors and put thousands out of work. Gas was $4 a gallon and milk cost $5. Ah, yes those were tough times." Let's hope we will learn our lesson, but I seriously doubt it. Any country that will make buying a rock in a box a history-making event, we probably will turn it all around and take briefcase number 12 and lose it all. Then, we can have our highly educated leaders, business types and EXPERTS telling us what we should do. Don't blame one party without blaming the other one—each feel asleep at the wheel.

The Presidential Debate

By Quincy Lewis

After last night’s debate, I was moved to write a column. Actually, it was a combination of the debate and seeing a program called “Murder in Black and White” on TV-ONE a couple of days ago.  If you are not aware of the program in which I speak of, then let me elaborate.

“Murder in Black and White” is a four-part documentary about murders of blacks at the hands of whites in the racist south of the 50’s and 60’s.  The first part was about Emmett Till, a young black man who was the victim of a lynching that left his face unrecognizable.  It also documented Lamar Smith, a 63 year old activist who was gunned down in broad daylight in front of the county courthouse in Brookhaven, MS.  No criminals were brought to justice in these cases and many others like them. 

Astounding.

Watching that documentary the other night disgusted me on a level that I had perhaps not been acquainted with until then. The image of Emmett Till’s 14-year-old mutilated face resonated in the inner etchings of my mind, even sometimes when I close my eyes.  Senseless beatings, mutilations and lynchings that even though have been photographed, have not been punished as crimes.  Then my mind fast forwards to a small town in Jena where some students thought it was funny to hang nooses from a tree.  The citizens from that same town swear to the national media that there was never a racial issue in their quiet little town. With all these things running through my mind, people still want to know if I am voting for Obama because I’m black.

Maybe.

In the debate last night, I saw an old decorated war hero who would have been a wonderful president in the past, but not now.  I think it is obvious that McCain is out of touch with the generation and overall make-up of the general public that represents the majority of Americans. A retired war hero with old ideas does not represent the America that I live. I have to be honest in saying that I believe that Obama and Biden are both more in touch with my generation and my class of people.  My class of people who have been held down institutionally for years.  My class of people who weren’t allowed to vote and then when they were allowed to vote, somehow were railroaded from voting anyway.  My class of people who won’t stand for another eight years.  Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.